Help Me Understand the PPI Process
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,249
Likes: 415
From: Coachella Valley
Help Me Understand the PPI Process
I'm considering selling one of my cars and I expect a potential buyer would want a PPI. What's the process? Do I give him the keys and let him drive it to whoever is going to do the inspection? If the buyer is out of town, do I drive it to the PPI location and leave it for a few hours? What about insurance if there's an incident? What about over revs from an enthusiastic driver?
I have a no stories car and want to keep it that way throughout the sales process. Thanks, Dave
I have a no stories car and want to keep it that way throughout the sales process. Thanks, Dave
Racer
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 284
Likes: 128
From: norcal
Process will vary depending on the shop and the level of inspection the buyer is looking for. When I was searching, the owner of the car dropped the vehicle off at the shop of my choosing for some number of hours/days depending on the shop's schedule and estimated time they needed. This process was the same regardless of the car being local or remote.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 581
From: Colorado
Yes, a potential buyer will most likely ask for a PPI, especially if they are not local to you.
Some folks are proactively having PPI's performed on cars that they're selling on BaT to help put potential buyers mind's at ease, but I think that applies more for BaT than a private party, direct transaction.
It's your car, so ultimately you can say yes or no to where it goes and what is done to the car. I know that many here advocate for an "Invasive PPI" (drop the oil pan, check the sump, scope the cylinders from the bottom) but I would not be cool with that unless I was familiar with the shop doing the work. I have a good idea of the good and not so good Porsche shops here in the Denver metro area, so I wouldn't let just anyone perform the PPI on my car.
I would recommend a potential buyer take it to my Indy first. Some could consider that a conflict of interest, but they know my car better than anyone else who would be looking at it for the first time. Plus, they can share (with your permission) the service records that they've performed on your car. My second option would be to make recommendations of other good Porsche shops in town that haven't serviced my car if they want a completely unbiased opinion. The potential buyer is the customer in a PPI situation, so the shop is not responsible for sharing their findings with you, nor is the seller, but most will. Especially if they want to use the findings as a bargaining chip.
Best of luck.
Some folks are proactively having PPI's performed on cars that they're selling on BaT to help put potential buyers mind's at ease, but I think that applies more for BaT than a private party, direct transaction.
It's your car, so ultimately you can say yes or no to where it goes and what is done to the car. I know that many here advocate for an "Invasive PPI" (drop the oil pan, check the sump, scope the cylinders from the bottom) but I would not be cool with that unless I was familiar with the shop doing the work. I have a good idea of the good and not so good Porsche shops here in the Denver metro area, so I wouldn't let just anyone perform the PPI on my car.
I would recommend a potential buyer take it to my Indy first. Some could consider that a conflict of interest, but they know my car better than anyone else who would be looking at it for the first time. Plus, they can share (with your permission) the service records that they've performed on your car. My second option would be to make recommendations of other good Porsche shops in town that haven't serviced my car if they want a completely unbiased opinion. The potential buyer is the customer in a PPI situation, so the shop is not responsible for sharing their findings with you, nor is the seller, but most will. Especially if they want to use the findings as a bargaining chip.
Best of luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 172
From: Menomonee Falls, WI.
You can discuss where and when the PPi will be done with the buyer, but it's your responsibility to facilitate it being performed. You should take it there and pick it up. I would not allow any invasive procedures. Period. Even the best shops make mistakes, so you end up with a leak a week or two later that you will have to pay to have fixed. What if this buyer decides he doesn't want the car? Speaking of BAT, it's a good place to sell a car.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 326
Likes: 120
When I bought my car, the indy dealer let me select a shop nearby (within 30 miles). I called the shop told them what I needed. The guy drove the car there and left it for a day. The shop did the service and I paid online. They gave me the results and paperwork directly. I actually liked how much they did not want to involve the dealer lol. They simply called the guy to pick up the car. Once I was happy I drove that weekend to pick her up.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,783
Likes: 3,927
Whether the buyer is in town or out of town I would drive it to the shop myself. I would welcome the buyer to meet me at the shop though so he can be there to watch the process or get the results first hand.
Advanced
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 71
Likes: 32
From: Prescott, Arizona
I loathe the idea of selling my Porsche.
While I think the Porsche community is great, my god do people expect a lot from a used car.
When I acquired mine, the SOP was that the buyer would deliver it to a local shop of my choice. All PPI fees are to be paid by the buyer, not the seller.
While I think the Porsche community is great, my god do people expect a lot from a used car.
When I acquired mine, the SOP was that the buyer would deliver it to a local shop of my choice. All PPI fees are to be paid by the buyer, not the seller.
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,856
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its your car and youre responsible for it until you sign the title over. So use you own judgement. I would give some options and tell them to decide and pay the shop, and then take it there yourself.
I buy out of state and always had the seller cooperate and I pay and get the result and then commit if I want to buy.
I buy out of state and always had the seller cooperate and I pay and get the result and then commit if I want to buy.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Florida
I'm considering selling one of my cars and I expect a potential buyer would want a PPI. What's the process? Do I give him the keys and let him drive it to whoever is going to do the inspection? If the buyer is out of town, do I drive it to the PPI location and leave it for a few hours? What about insurance if there's an incident? What about over revs from an enthusiastic driver?
I have a no stories car and want to keep it that way throughout the sales process. Thanks, Dave
I have a no stories car and want to keep it that way throughout the sales process. Thanks, Dave
Someone suggested a preemptive PPI by the seller as a good strategy to put potential buyer's minds at ease. This could well be wasted money since I think most buyers want the PPI done by a shop of their choice. Not a shop by the seller's choice for obvious reasons. That said, if the buyer wants the PPI done by a shop that you know has a reputation for doing shoddy work then you obviously have the right to ask him or her to make another selection.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 325
Likes: 201
From: Scottsdale, AZ
It should be the buyer’s responsibility to pay for the PPI. What if they back out and the next buyer wants a PPI from a different shop a month later?
Honestly, the whole PPI thing gets wildly overblown by the chronic tire kickers. Get a report on over revs if it’s a manual. Look for fluid leaks. Get a paint meter and check the panels, stock paint depth is around 3 to 3.5mm. Look at how the tires are wearing. When you test drive the car pay attention to how the clutch and transmission feel both cold and warm. Listen for unusual sounds from the suspension. Make sure the brake pedal is firm. Check the turn signals, lights, horn, interior lighting, power seats, stereo, etc. There are checklists you can download.
No matter what, assume you’re going to need to immediately get an alignment, flush the brake fluid, change the oil, and replace the spark plugs unless the seller has receipts (not just estimates) that are recent.
As far as I’m concerned all of the above is on me, if I’m the buyer. Why would the seller pay for the PPI? That means the mechanic is working for the seller in this process. I want the mechanic working for me.
Honestly, the whole PPI thing gets wildly overblown by the chronic tire kickers. Get a report on over revs if it’s a manual. Look for fluid leaks. Get a paint meter and check the panels, stock paint depth is around 3 to 3.5mm. Look at how the tires are wearing. When you test drive the car pay attention to how the clutch and transmission feel both cold and warm. Listen for unusual sounds from the suspension. Make sure the brake pedal is firm. Check the turn signals, lights, horn, interior lighting, power seats, stereo, etc. There are checklists you can download.
No matter what, assume you’re going to need to immediately get an alignment, flush the brake fluid, change the oil, and replace the spark plugs unless the seller has receipts (not just estimates) that are recent.
As far as I’m concerned all of the above is on me, if I’m the buyer. Why would the seller pay for the PPI? That means the mechanic is working for the seller in this process. I want the mechanic working for me.
Last edited by Unframed; Aug 12, 2020 at 05:08 AM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: South West Florida
Been through this 3 times. First car was 7 hours away, had ppi done, showed about $2500 in issues, I wanted another $1000 off of agreed price and Seller refused to budge so I walked. Seller took car in for me. Second car I met Seller at indy shop, did test drive and then had ppi. Shop confirmed car was in great shape. I had them doi a blackstone oil test as well (996, no evidence of ims repair, though seller claimed it had been done). 3rd car was from dealer and no ppi (many dealers will not allow this, too much risk/insurance issues). I did what unframed suggested and while my current 997 isn't perfect (very slow oil leak), very happy with the car 1 year in.
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From: Metro ATL
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,249
Likes: 415
From: Coachella Valley
Good info on a DME report. I have already contacted the local Porsche dealer and they want $200 to run the DME over rev report. Anyone know of a trusted indy in the Coachella Valley that can do it? My local indy guy doesn't have the hardware to run the report. TIA, Dave
