Pre purchase inspection at dealership
#1
Pre purchase inspection at dealership
Looking at purchasing a 997.2 as my first p car and was wondering if I set up a ppi at the same dealership this guy bought the car and had it serviced would yield an unbiased evaluation for me? Would I get more info since they know this car, or would it backfire if they are familiar with the owner?
How much should an inspection run on average?
How much should an inspection run on average?
#2
Burning Brakes
I would take it somewhere that does not know the car, you never know how unbiased they will be otherwise. Independent shops do PPI as well.
I paid about $300 for a PPI of my C4S in California last year.
I paid about $300 for a PPI of my C4S in California last year.
#3
I called 3 Porsche dealerships in the San Diego area to do a PPIon a private party sale and was turned down by all three. But as a general rule, I would not have the seller perform a PPI....Porsche dealer included.
#4
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Take it to an independent shop. I shopped for a car where the seller (MB dealer) knew the Porsche dealer down the street that did the PPI. I got super high leak down readings and boroscope showed 2 cylinders with light scoring. That dealer said it was normal and gave the car a clean bill of health. Showed it to my local Porsche dealer here and they said the car likely needs a $5K valve job. Take it to a new shop.
#5
Race Director
I had a dealer do a PPI on my 7tt and it was pretty much a waste of time. all they did was check the overrevs, tire depth, brake life, and that it didn't have any check engine lights. Thats not to say all dealers are the same, but I'd take a well respected Indy over a dealer every day of the week.
#6
My advice from very recent experience is: DO NOT BUY UNLESS YOU HAVE PHYSICALLY SEEN AND INSPECTED THE CAR FOR YOURSELF REALLY WELL.
I spent months looking for a "right car, right deal". 1100 miles away I found it. Good seller, who was honest but possibly "naive" about the car he had purchased used and had PPI'd. I saw his PPI record which indicated nothing, but paid a well know Porsche dealer to PPI for me for extra piece of mind.
This dealer told me their techs work on race team, all have over 20 years experience, best preowned department around and will easily spot bodywork, paintwork etc...
The PPI cost me $250 ( 2 hours is what I was told ). I went with that Porsche dealer as they had never seen the car.
I got a call. " Very clean, great condition mechanically and cosmetically, no accidents or paintwork". I flew 1100 miles to see the car for myself after clean PPI revealed nothing to worry about. Brought check and came 1 way to drive the car back.
When I saw the car, it was dirty from the trip to dealer, and we are talking about February weather and roads in these parts. Not the ideal time to inspect car but it checked all the boxes for me.
Within minutes of walking around the car I spot a small piece of rough paint on edge near rear spoiler. Red flag, but it looks great, and the deal is good, and I have no way of getting home and the paint matches. So maybe not a huge deal. Hard to tell like I said as the car is dirty.
Fast forward 1100 mile road trip, its home and in my garage. The first Porsche. Excitement abounds. Its gorgeous and fast and I love it. Until I wash and detail it. Then I notice the "rough" feeling paint on rear quarter. The tape line from the paint being sprayed. The clearcoat that was poorly applied and masked off door handle from not getting clear leaving ring around it. The peeling clearcoat around the air intakes. Overspray on bottom of bumper, and lastly overpray on corner of tailight. Im not a professional. I missed those things on a 10 minute inspection of the car when I came to pick it up. But I paid a "professional".
I guess I am upset with the dealer, and myself for not taking more time and looking more diligently. I didnt have much time, or a lift.
Now I have a great car, but with blemishes I know are there and it really bothers me. If I had to do it all over again, I would PPI and inspect with the car looking as close to 100% as possible. Im in the process of getting estimates to repair this prior **** poor paint job. At least the color matches.
Moral of the story: Take the PPI with a grain of salt. Ask questions and be specific about the paint and the mechanicals. Have both carfax and autocheck. They are different. Get both and good luck.
I spent months looking for a "right car, right deal". 1100 miles away I found it. Good seller, who was honest but possibly "naive" about the car he had purchased used and had PPI'd. I saw his PPI record which indicated nothing, but paid a well know Porsche dealer to PPI for me for extra piece of mind.
This dealer told me their techs work on race team, all have over 20 years experience, best preowned department around and will easily spot bodywork, paintwork etc...
The PPI cost me $250 ( 2 hours is what I was told ). I went with that Porsche dealer as they had never seen the car.
I got a call. " Very clean, great condition mechanically and cosmetically, no accidents or paintwork". I flew 1100 miles to see the car for myself after clean PPI revealed nothing to worry about. Brought check and came 1 way to drive the car back.
When I saw the car, it was dirty from the trip to dealer, and we are talking about February weather and roads in these parts. Not the ideal time to inspect car but it checked all the boxes for me.
Within minutes of walking around the car I spot a small piece of rough paint on edge near rear spoiler. Red flag, but it looks great, and the deal is good, and I have no way of getting home and the paint matches. So maybe not a huge deal. Hard to tell like I said as the car is dirty.
Fast forward 1100 mile road trip, its home and in my garage. The first Porsche. Excitement abounds. Its gorgeous and fast and I love it. Until I wash and detail it. Then I notice the "rough" feeling paint on rear quarter. The tape line from the paint being sprayed. The clearcoat that was poorly applied and masked off door handle from not getting clear leaving ring around it. The peeling clearcoat around the air intakes. Overspray on bottom of bumper, and lastly overpray on corner of tailight. Im not a professional. I missed those things on a 10 minute inspection of the car when I came to pick it up. But I paid a "professional".
I guess I am upset with the dealer, and myself for not taking more time and looking more diligently. I didnt have much time, or a lift.
Now I have a great car, but with blemishes I know are there and it really bothers me. If I had to do it all over again, I would PPI and inspect with the car looking as close to 100% as possible. Im in the process of getting estimates to repair this prior **** poor paint job. At least the color matches.
Moral of the story: Take the PPI with a grain of salt. Ask questions and be specific about the paint and the mechanicals. Have both carfax and autocheck. They are different. Get both and good luck.
#7
it depends on the dealer. if they are honest, they give good inspections. If they are dishonest they cheat you from every angle, service to sales.
Find a good honest, no BSing dealer to do business with. if the sales is helpful and willing to answer all questions, the service dept is probably also. Go thru all their records and cars warrantee history first, if you make it that far you know they are going to be accommodating with further inspections, then offer to buy the car. Ive never had trouble with dealers.
Find a good honest, no BSing dealer to do business with. if the sales is helpful and willing to answer all questions, the service dept is probably also. Go thru all their records and cars warrantee history first, if you make it that far you know they are going to be accommodating with further inspections, then offer to buy the car. Ive never had trouble with dealers.