Currently lurking and reading lots of threads as I look for a suitable L322, thought I had found a good one earlier in the week, but got beaten to it.

Fantastic information on here, so feeling somewhat educated about what to look out for.

I haven’t seen any mention of anyone that does mobile prepurchase inspections. My previous daily driver, now weekend car, is a Porsche that I bought about 7 years ago and there were a few well known experts you could get to go and give them a once over health check.

Will post back once I have found the right 4.4 TDV8!

Last edited by Rincewind on 21st Jan 2025 9:16pm. Edited 1 time in total

I’m sure the AA will travel to inspect a vehicle for £200-£300 but please be pre warned as you are paying someone to find a fault and believe me they take it as a challenge not a task 2021 SVautobiography Dynamic Black ( Black wheels need to go )
1997 C140 Mercedes Benz CL500

I know what you mean about finding faults. Not sure the AA will be the right answer, ideally someone who genuinely knows the cars and can give you a view on ‘this is a good one, they all do that’ versus just a generic ‘all the lights work and the engine runs okay’ - I can manage that bit myself!!

The Porsche guy, knew the cars inside out, knew where to look for issues, which bits were general maintenance, easy to sort and which were more significant issues. I had him look at the car I now have before I travelled 80 miles to view it myself and do the deal, I then had all the details of what had and had not been done.

I have the checklist from on here which is a good start. Just seems like a good opportunity for someone that knows their stuff: there are plenty of cars on the market, depending on what you are spending, the values can be quite significant and there is plenty of potential for borkage! Maybe the issue is that the borkage factor is difficult to determine, so people steer clear. Feels like the answer is to find one I think is straight and then get it straight into a specialist.

M J Rolls in Longstowe appears to be the nearest to me (just west of Cambridge) that purports to be a specialist. has anyone had any direct experience or have other recommendations in the Cambridge area?

For what it’s worth if it was me I would wait and buy one of this site. You generally get a good rite up about members cars that they are trying to sell with a list as long as your arm that they have replaced plus with them replacing it that’s a tick in the box for yourself.
A lot can be learnt over a cup of tea from a genuine enthusiast. 2021 SVautobiography Dynamic Black ( Black wheels need to go )
1997 C140 Mercedes Benz CL500

Don’t worry, watching the For sale section closely! Not in a mad hurry, have got a few months before another car starts to become important.

Thanks

Being in a position to wait until the right car comes along is definitely a good place to be as a buyer.

Welcome to the madhouse / forum Sir, would I be correct in assuming that you are a Terry Pratchett fan, if so that will stand you in good stead as occasionally you need to be a wizard to diagnose some of the faults on a Fatty

Hi Merchy,

Yes a big Pratchett fan (RIP), have read everything multiple times. Hoping the Rincewind moniker means I will run away from danger and inexplicably fall on my feet!

@Merchy you beat me to it!

@Rincewind, Welcome to the forum! cracking taste in literature I must say!



Stephen Formerly happymadison1978

@Merchy Rincewind was clearly the right moniker, just back from picking up ex Rusty Nuts Buckingham Blue 4.4TDV8 from the chap that bought it from Rusty Nuts. So now the very proud owner of a stunning example!

CarPlay connectivity seems to be the only thing that needs to be arranged.

Great news, nice car, so your journey begins hope it's a lot less adventurous than your namesake's endless escapades