Suggestions for pre-purchase inspection

Art_Vandelay · 06-20-2013, 05:05 PM

If this post is best placed elsewhere, let me know. I just reached a verbal agreement with a seller for a used 335 that is located out of state. I made the deal contingent on an inspection (its an '11 with 30k miles, so I don't expect any major issues, but better safe than sorry).

I'm hoping for some suggestions on how to best get this done. I've seen a few services online, like CarChex among others. Another option is looking on Google, Yelp, Angie's List, etc. for mechanics near the seller with good ratings, and then making some calls. Just wondering if others have experience with this process and any suggestions, words of wisdom, etc. The seller is cooperative about taking it anywhere within a reasonable distance, and they are in a major city so that seems likely to make things easier.

unrealii · 06-20-2013, 05:55 PM

I think autotrader has a service you can buy from one of their partners. Check their site for it. Otherwise, what about a BMW dealer? Mine cost $240 and paid for itself.

ChipB · 06-24-2013, 11:43 AM

I suggest posting a question in the regional forum where the car is located asking for recommendations for a good indie shop. Then call that shop and ask if they'll do a PPI for you - let them know that you are paying for it and that they should go over the results only with you.

3s4u2 · 06-24-2013, 12:46 PM

Purchased both my BMWs used and on both occasions used BMWs pre-purchase check and full history report around $300. I know it's a lot of money but it has saved me from purchasing one car that had been in accident but not reported and one that showed no 5yr 50,000 service history from anywhere BMW. You will also get a list of everything they suggest needs repaired or serviced. It's kind of nice to know exactly what went wrong during its warranty time.

If they find something wrong renegotiate with the inspection price as well.

Art_Vandelay · 06-24-2013, 04:13 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up having it inspected this morning by a shop that specializes in BMWs, which I found through bimmershops.com. They charged $140 for about 1.5 hr inspection, so not quite as thorough as the BMW inspection. The BMW dealer in the area quoted me $210 for about 3-4 hour inspection, which would have been the way I went, but they were so backlogged with repair appointments that they weren't going to be able to look at for about a week.

The shop that inspected it determined that the car has been in an unreported collision, which the seller has now acknowledged. A disappointing turn of events, but definitely money well spent!

3s4u2 · 06-24-2013, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art_Vandelay

Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up having it inspected this morning by a shop that specializes in BMWs, which I found through bimmershops.com. They charged $140 for about 1.5 hr inspection, so not quite as thorough as the BMW inspection. The BMW dealer in the area quoted me $210 for about 3-4 hour inspection, which would have been the way I went, but they were so backlogged with repair appointments that they weren't going to be able to look at for about a week.

The shop that inspected it determined that the car has been in an unreported collision, which the seller has now acknowledged. A disappointing turn of events, but definitely money well spent!

It's sad, but money well spent!

06-20-2013, 05:05 PM	#1
Art_Vandelay New Member 0 Rep 24 Posts Drives: currently looking Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (1)	Suggestions for pre-purchase inspection If this post is best placed elsewhere, let me know. I just reached a verbal agreement with a seller for a used 335 that is located out of state. I made the deal contingent on an inspection (its an '11 with 30k miles, so I don't expect any major issues, but better safe than sorry). I'm hoping for some suggestions on how to best get this done. I've seen a few services online, like CarChex among others. Another option is looking on Google, Yelp, Angie's List, etc. for mechanics near the seller with good ratings, and then making some calls. Just wondering if others have experience with this process and any suggestions, words of wisdom, etc. The seller is cooperative about taking it anywhere within a reasonable distance, and they are in a major city so that seems likely to make things easier.
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06-20-2013, 05:55 PM	#2
unrealii Captain 75 Rep 630 Posts Drives: '09 335 E93 6MT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Socal iTrader: (3) Garage List 2002 Toyota 4Runner [0.00] 2009 BMW 335I [10.00]	I think autotrader has a service you can buy from one of their partners. Check their site for it. Otherwise, what about a BMW dealer? Mine cost $240 and paid for itself.
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06-24-2013, 11:43 AM	#3
ChipB First Lieutenant 54 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 'vert, 2014 X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Naperville, IL iTrader: (0)	I suggest posting a question in the regional forum where the car is located asking for recommendations for a good indie shop. Then call that shop and ask if they'll do a PPI for you - let them know that you are paying for it and that they should go over the results only with you. __________________ F83 M4 convertible, F15 X5 xDrive35i Previous: E93 335i, E36 328iC, E28 528e, E21 320i
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06-24-2013, 12:46 PM	#4
3s4u2 Beamer Mantic 82 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Prem Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Purchased both my BMWs used and on both occasions used BMWs pre-purchase check and full history report around $300. I know it's a lot of money but it has saved me from purchasing one car that had been in accident but not reported and one that showed no 5yr 50,000 service history from anywhere BMW. You will also get a list of everything they suggest needs repaired or serviced. It's kind of nice to know exactly what went wrong during its warranty time. If they find something wrong renegotiate with the inspection price as well. __________________ 2006 325i 2006 M5 2008 X5 4.8i 2014 X5 50i M-Pkg Last edited by 3s4u2; 06-24-2013 at 12:53 PM..
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06-24-2013, 04:13 PM	#5
Art_Vandelay New Member 0 Rep 24 Posts Drives: currently looking Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up having it inspected this morning by a shop that specializes in BMWs, which I found through bimmershops.com. They charged $140 for about 1.5 hr inspection, so not quite as thorough as the BMW inspection. The BMW dealer in the area quoted me $210 for about 3-4 hour inspection, which would have been the way I went, but they were so backlogged with repair appointments that they weren't going to be able to look at for about a week. The shop that inspected it determined that the car has been in an unreported collision, which the seller has now acknowledged. A disappointing turn of events, but definitely money well spent!
	Appreciate 0 Quote