Pre Delivery Inspection

[Lumply]

Good morning early risers. Dubai calling.

When I finally decide to take the Boxster Plunge on my return to the UK soon, it seems that a PDI is a sensible option for a 2010/11 model. Does anyone have experience of Car Inspections who have an impressive website (carinspections.co.uk) and are Porsche specialists? My first choice was Revolution but they only do inspections on their own premises whereas CI are mobile. Also, are (reputable) retailers generally open to such inspections? Common sense dictates that you should walk if not. What are your experiences and any advice for a first timer please.

[rowbos]

Morning!

When I had a PPI I just looked for the closest Porsche Specialists - within a short drive - with decent reviews - and the trader I purchased off was happy to drive there with me.   After all I told him I would purchase as long as there were no horror stories and I was paying for the inspection.  

Personally I would prefer to get the car into a Porsche independant, up on the ramp, out on a test drive.   Someone who repairs rather than just appraises.

Once you find a car I would ask the individual/business who hold it if they mind if at your cost you have an inspection done. Then if ok, start to look for someone nearby. 

[Lumply]

Thanks Rowbos

[rowbos]

The other thing I would say looking at the website you note above is that a comprehensive inspection by a Porsche independent specialist cost me roughly half what they are charging.

Without getting the car up on the ramps for a proper look I would be worried that some of the common faults would be missed personally.  

[horror]

Nothing wrong with an independent check when buying, but what extra are you buying that you haven’t got already?

For a 2010/11 car it should have seen the dealers 3 times for service, it’s 4th service being due this year or next, the car should have had the following,

Minor (@ 2 Years old),

MoT @ 3 Years,

MoT + Major (@ 4 Years old),

MoT @ 5 Years and

MoT + Minor + belt (@ 6 years old),

if these were done by Porsche then they will have been accompanied by a “vehicle heath check”, as these VHCs allow the up-selling of additional services such a/c refreshes, pads, rotors, tyres anything likely to have been picked up should have been. The same probably goes for any decent independent garage.

Additionally since the end of year 3 the car will have been subject to MoTs, a check (registration number needed only) on the government web site will equally show any problems. 

The Porsche VHC covers non MoT-able items such as HiVac, Media Functions, Oil level, Coolant strengths but by and large anything steering, stopping, lighting and safely will have been covered by the MoT.

As self help: check the service history, see the MoT history; your ‘risk’ lies between the date / miles when they was done and now. 

Obviously anything could go wrong tomorrow and on a ‘new to you car’ that’s upsetting - but it’s the same for any car whether new or old.

If this sounds too simplistic, perhaps others could chime in with the ‘common faults’ that are missed.

 

 

 

 

 

[Lonewolfgjp]

It is true what you're saying but it does depend on who you are buying a car from. Just because it passes their own pdi doesn't mean that they have addressed everything that may need doing.

True the car will be safe and have a full mot but they wouldn't tell you your air con rads are rotting or say the suspension components are coming near the end of their life even though they are perfectly safe.

 

As i said it does depend where you are buying from but generally most dealership's want to spend the minimum on preparation and servicing. Maximize their profit and get it out the door. The car will be perfectly safe and road worthy but don't think they will will have addressed anything that isn't actually broken.

I would recommend a full independent Porsche inspection,for your own peace of mind and also to warn you of any upcoming expenses. These maybe covered by your warranty,if you're lucky ?

[horror]

Revisiting my earlier post,  instead of worrying on what COULD go wrong, perhaps concentrate on what WILL cost you money, that way - when you spent it, it won’t seem so bad.

If the car is a 2010 then it should be due a major service this year (2018) include the plugs and brake fluid so allow £1000+, an oil change and wipe with an oily rag it ain’t. If the car’s 2011 then that will be next year, the cost will the same just next year. Assuming that you’ll actually use the car, then unless all 4 tyres are brand new assume that replacements will be necessary, say £6/700. Brakes and rotors are use related, so how many miles back to when they were changed last (ever?). The car is 6 to 8 years old, when was the battery replaced, if it hadn’t been then allow for it. 

Full disclosure, my own car is 2010 and was purchased a year ago.

The car was from a private seller, it was low miles, a full Porsche device history (including the condition checks) were visible, my only additional input was to ask if everything worked. It was the owner and his circumstances / approach to ownership that was of equal interest to me - effectively - had the car been looked after. As a top tip I’d recommend a car from a centrally heated garage, particularly when door mats are used to stop the carpeting from getting mucky. Anyway, I’d better touch wood now to forestall the bad Porsche fairy.

[Lonewolfgjp]

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[Lumply]

Good advice and sounds logical. I am erring towards upping my budget and going for the best 987 gen 2 2.9 I can find for say 23K which hopefully will give me at least 5 years of trouble free motoring (plus the normal bits and bobs) but would this necessarily be the way to go from the point of view of reliability and piece of mind? Usage probably no more than 8k pa max