TheSamba.com :: View topic - Pre-purchase inspection in Reno?

Sat Jun 03, 2017 6:38 pm

Hey guys tried searching but didn't find what I was looking for. Looking for advice from those of you who have done this before.

Im looking at a westy that is out of state, how does the logistics of having a shop do a prepurchase inspection work? Do I need to have the owner drop it off? and how much does a pre purchase inspection at your local vw specialist cost?

My plan is that if it all checks out with the inspection then I will drive out and pay cash and drive the van back, but I don't want to drive 20 hours round trip if its not worth what I'm planning to pay.

Thanks!

Sat Jun 03, 2017 6:48 pm

Someone here will have specific help if you post the city the van is in.

Best of Luck in your purchase!

Sun Jun 04, 2017 9:51 am

I had a PPI done out of state. Found a local VW specialist, had the owner bring the van in. Cost was around $100. Well worth it as the van had a number of undisclosed issues and I passed on it. Generally, if the owner won't cooperate, it is usually a red flag. Good luck.

Sun Jun 04, 2017 10:32 am

Dickz wrote: I had a PPI done out of state. Found a local VW specialist, had the owner bring the van in. Cost was around $100. Well worth it as the van had a number of undisclosed issues and I passed on it. Generally, if the owner won't cooperate, it is usually a red flag. Good luck.

Ditto this. It was maybe a little more ~$120, but the owner was happy to bring it in.

My follow up with the mechanic was about 30 minutes on the phone.

Funny thing was that I independently asked around for the best VW Vanagon shop. It turned out that he had installed the exhaust system on it the year before.

Sun Jun 04, 2017 10:40 am

It takes a bit of time for the seller to take the van somewhere for inspection. I bet it's a half-day investment. I would imagine that your offer would have to be significantly better than his next best offer, to influence a seller to make that half-day investment. If he agrees, you can conclude that your offer was high. Thats more good info.

Is the van advertised as impeccable? A guy who maintains his van like that WANTS an inspection, he wants to hear a mechanic pat him on the back, so he will agree to that.

And of course there's the possibility that he won't take it to an inspection because it's so easy to find lots wrong with a 30-year old vehicle. Or on the low end of a reasonable assessed value, where an assessment not likely to reduce the sale price.

You can make guesses based on his response and there are lots of ways to interpret. It's worth asking for the inspection caveat, and reserve judgement until you hear the response.

Sun Jun 04, 2017 1:07 pm

Thanks guys, I would definitely want it inspected. If not before I go look at it, at least while I'm there in town. Unfortunately it seems the owner may not be serious about selling it because Im not getting a reply to my messages. Will keep you all updated!

Sun Jun 04, 2017 1:31 pm

I used an inspection service called lemon squad and they were great. They actually go to the van and do the inspection. Now of course you don't get the advantage of what a mechanic could provide especially a Vw specialist when inspecting but you do get a very detailed report with tons of photos. If you're just trying to get a sense of overall condition and to make sure the vehicle is as advertised then it is definitely worth the money. Also, the owner doesnt have to do anything other than make the vehicle available for the inspector to look at. It really worked well in my instance. The inspector does a head to toe visual inspection, test drive and then puts together a written report. You may feel more comfortable going the mechanic route but an inspection service is definitely an option. Good luck.

Sun Jun 04, 2017 11:58 pm

You should definitely have an inspection done and its a red flag if the seller won't assist though you should allow a few days for it to happen as you have his schedule and that of the shop YOU choose to coordinate. I have shopped a number of vehicles that were out of my area, the curse of living so far from the rest of the country, and never had a seller refuse to take one to be inspected for me. Prices have been from about $100 to $150 with the higher amount including a compression test. We bought our `87 Westy Syncro in Berkeley, CA after having the inspection done and final price agreed upon. The inspection revealed nothing unexpected so we flew from Anchorage to a friends place in ElK Grove, CA on a Wednesday. Thursday we drove to Berkeley purchased the van and returned to Elk Grove where we spent the rest of the day and the next cleaning it and shopping for cookware, utensils, towels, food, and getting the a/c recharged. That done we hit the road Friday evening at 9PM headed to Mill Valley and the Coast Highway, the start of our 3300 mile drive home. We did have two problems on the drive but not anything the inspection missed and when you are spending that much and then relying upon your purchase to get you home you want a thorough inspection before you buy. Though I have worked in the automobile industry since 1983 I will pay for an inspection on certain vehicles here in my home town as sometimes it is easier, faster, and provides a second set of eyes.

Sun Jun 11, 2017 3:17 pm

So does anyone have a mechanic in the reno area?

Mon Jun 12, 2017 7:32 am

I would suggest Valley Wagon in Carson City. I have been taking my vans there for several years. George is a great guy and they are pretty honest.
Valley Wagon
204 Sage St, Carson City, NV 89706
(775) 882-2350

Mon Jun 12, 2017 9:51 am

Also J’s vw in reno. Guess its called German Wagen Works now. Was very good to me when it was J’s. Google maps has location. Previously very vanagon oriented.

Mon Jun 12, 2017 9:15 pm

Thanks guys! Gonna call up these shops tomorrow and see if I can coordinate this. Lemon squad is a good fallback since they go there, do they compression test? Im guessing no

Tue Jun 13, 2017 8:46 am

German Wagner works has some iffy reviews but looks like that's my only option? Van is out of registration so the seller doesn't want to drive it too far. Hopefully they have experience with Subaru motors

Tue Jun 13, 2017 8:46 am

German Wagner works has some iffy reviews but looks like that's my only option? Van is out of registration so the seller doesn't want to drive it too far. Hopefully they have experience with Subaru motors