AIBU to consider getting a mobile mechanic service done on a car I've not bought yet?

[pawsies]

I haven't even found a car suitable yet but I've come across mobile mechanic sites where you pay around £100 for someone to assess a car you are considering.

I have a huge phobia of getting a bad car that needs a lot of work. I need something reliable, few issues and cheap.

I don't have any car savvy friends.

Has anyone done this? Is it better to get the car taken to a local garage instead? So stressed about car buying :(

The AA used to do this, but they do/did say that it is not a guarantee of a perfect car.

Whoever you use will only be able to give an informed advice/opinion.

Well worth it. Get a local mobile mechanic to check it over. You can also check what the last MOT said online - you want evidence that any advisories have been done. Be suspicious if an mot fails one day and passes soon after with no evidence of work. And get a finance check online. And take it for a test drive. (I have learnt this one the hard way).

Depends on where you buy it from. If it's a reputable dealer then no. If it's a random or a dodgy car sales then yes.

However, after many years of buying cars that then lose their value and end up needing so much work it costs more than the car is worth I would recommend (if you can afford it) buying a car on pcp finance.

You do end up paying monthly, but I look at it that it would be like getting a bank loan to buy outright. However the security is worth it and after a few years you trade it in before the car is in negative equity and start again.

There are some good reliable cars out there you can get second hand but it's finding them..people run cars into the ground now and I haven't come across many "1 careful owner" ones unless it's a classic

They can check some things but most failures these days seem to be electric items such as sensors or heaters etc, which you can really check.

I wouldn't bother. Before you go to see a car, just Google its common faults. And check the oil as soon as you get there, before driving it.

Take the dipstick out and rub your fingers on the oil. Rub your fingers together and then look at the rest of the car. If your fingers start feeling gritty, the oil is old and the owners aren't looking after it or even bothering with a service. If it's still smooth it's had a recent change which is better than nothing.