AA/Autocheck when buying a car

[optical illusion]

I heard that if you are really interested in buying a car you can get the AA to look it over to see if there is anything wrong with it, is this true? Has anyone here ever got it done? Heard it's about E100 to get it done?

Also, has anyone ever used Autocheck - the site where you can check a cars reg history to see if it's been stolen etc...?

Worthwhile or gimmicks??

[mcgon1979]

Didn't know that about the AA.
Personally I would rather pay a recommended mechanic who knows FTO's / Performance cars to look it over instead. They would be looking at different things than an AA check that looks at the basics like break pads, levels, rust etc. I want someone who can look at my car and tell me howmany times its been driven hard and where abouts and on what days.

[optical illusion]

Indeed, how much does that set back one nowadays...?

I wonder are owners willing to let you do it though?

[mcgon1979]

Indeed, how much does that set back one nowadays...?

I wonder are owners willing to let you do it though?

Im not sure how much it would cost, but I'm sure if you ask on here someone could recommend someone who might do it. Certainly not more than AA man. I just think there is a definite advantage getting someone who knows FTOs or has owned on. It helps.

As for an owner letting you get someone to look over his car. If he.she has a problem with that, then they must be hiding something. Its 100% reasonable to say to someone "listen I am bringing along my mechanic just to have a look at the car, is that ok?" and they should have no problems if they want to sell it. Mechanic will just check all the obvious things. rust in the boot or arches, shocks, play in the wheels, oil under the bonnet, oil under the car, suspension, exhaust, and most importantly he will start the car and listen to it idle for about 10 minutes. This can tell you alot about the car. how it sounds, if it idles smoothly, if its smokey, etc etc.

[optical illusion]

Mechanic it is so!

[ftolam13]

The AA will look at a car 4 u but u hav to be a Member i think, and its 50euro,,