Husband very angry I would like an AA PRE PURCHASE INSPECTION. AIBU?

[borettacar]

Husband is very angry that I would like an AA pre purchase inspection on a car following a near miss with buying a car that had a visible issue on the test drive. Thick, white smoke billowing out of the exhaust could have been signs of blown head gasket.

He wants to bring a friend who is car enthusiast to check over it - not a trained mechanic. The car is 4 hours away and he says it comes with a warranty etc but we all know the terms and conditions and small print make a lot of these not worth the paper they are written on.

I want it to be safe for my 17 year old son. He says if it's a dud we will have to keep paying the AA pre purchase inspection and it will cost a fortune.

AIBU?

@ExceededUsefulEconomicLife I think maybe the only option may be to take it straight to a reputable garage after buying it, and if they find any major issues hand it back in the 30 days you have. Not ideal, but I don't see anyway around it if garage inspections are the best indicator of did or no dud!

I notice they never want credit card payments either!

Take one with you but they won't get it on the ramp so limited view. The problem if you buy it and then discover a problem, they usually have to have one chance to fix it and then if they don't do it to satisfaction it will just drag on and you'll be annoyed. Better that than nothing.

Where are you based?

Also make sure you do a HPI check!

And no! Even the big dogs don't. I got my last car from the Carshop (avoid them but they're not the worst) and they had a limit on the credit card if something like that£100. I managed to persuade him to up it to £500 for the protection.

@Manara I didn't find it helpful in the least! It reminded of "the trust us or go types' that I find so repugnant in this industry.

I've just had that experience and I don't care about their justifications. Theres always sneaky sales pressure tactics like I've had to endure like someone's just called about that car your looking at!" Yeah course they did! Meanwhile it's still not sold 2 months later. I'm parting with my hard-earned money and I don't want to give it to those with the just give me your money and go away attitude.

Based in Surrey @borettacar

Go into the local vintage dress shop. They have what you think is the perfect dress for that wedding in the summer but only one and it is at the price you want to pay. You say, can you keep it until next weeked so I can bring the shoes I want to wear and see if they match. They will say, come back next week by all means and if it is still here of ourse you can. They won't remove it from sale.

Not necessarily, If they have branches in other parts of the country. My son bought a car 5 hours drive away, got it checked over by a mechanic we use locally and he found an issue. Phoned the dealer and car was booked into the branch nearest us for repair.
You have rights if bought from a dealer and car has defaults and not fit for purpose.

Where is the car you're looking at? I wouldn't look more than 25 miles away to avoid hassle. My nightmare is spending more than I'm comfortable with on a car and it breaking down on the way home haha

@ARealitycheck You've listed all the reasons why you deem the AA reports to be unfair and you mentioned people wanting discounts when they get the reports. You don't want them to get such reports,which is why you subtly pressure them with your spiel. Many people reserve cars and come with the AA on the day of viewing anyway.

@oOiluvfriendsOo That's a relief to know.

@ExceededUsefulEconomicLife Haha I've heard it happen! You've got to be careful!

Imagine buying a house without a survey and just going on the say so of an estate agent. I know houses are more expensive, but pp had to get out a loan because of a dud car being sold to her and these unscrupulous places know full well a car will barely make it a week!

I pressure nobody, As I've said if a customer wants to arrange one, crack on. But in the mean time the vehicle remains on sale. Why would I turn away a potential paying customer who walks onto my premises on a maybe customer who is waiting 4 days for an inspection. I'd be mad to operate this way.

In Scotland once you make an offer on a house you are expected to have done all due dilligence and have funding in place. Your solicitor won't send the offer through if you don't.

Many people don't like the English sales method which creates long chains that fall through.

I think you are being very rude and judgemental, first telling someone who was trying to help you would ‘avoid them like the plague’ and then ‘like the clap’ and now saying the industry isn’t known for being squeaky clean. Every industry has a dark side to it, and of course sales people will give you the spiel and talk up the interest, that is their job and how they make their money.

In all seriousness though an AA report is overpriced and not anywhere near as good as taking a trusted mechanic with you.

Where does she say people want discounts?

I read it that she’s advising you to take the AA reports with a pinch of salt because they can be overzealous. It’s helpful advice if you’re buying a second hard car and you know what to look for, hence the suggestions of taking along someone who knows about cars or showing it up a mechanic.

She said:

Secondly, these AA reports are not representative of what you are actually buying. They will rip the car to shreds on the report to cover their arses re post sale issues. They do not give a fair representation of the age, miles or price of the car.