Mechanical inspections and vehicle history

[akula]

Hi all,

I just had a few questions about getting pre-purchase mechanical inspections and obtaining vehicle histories.

1. I am in Tamworth, and as far as I am aware there is no independent LR specialists. I am considering having the local Land Rover dealership (JT Fossey) completing the inspection - is this adequate??

2. The vehicle was maintained from 0 -50k at Alto Artarmon, is it safe to assume that the Td5's oil pump bolt would have been inspected and loctited?
Unfortunately, the history is limited to stamps in the maintenance book, and Alto refuse to provide me any details of repairs completed - citing client confidentiality of all things...

3. I have read here on AULRO that some have contacted the previous owners of vehicles to get their thoughts on the car. I am a little uncomfortable doing so - however I could be convinced if this was fairly normal - what do you all think I should do?

Cheers,

Mark

[Disco Muppet]

I think Woodleys does LR, they certainly did when we were there and they knew what they were doing.
AFAIK the oil-pump bolt wasn't a recall item, so no, just because it's been serviced by a dealer doesn't mean it's even been considered. It's not a huge job to check it, and even if it says its been done it's a good idea to eyeball it yourself. Given the critical nature of the oil pump bolt, it's never safe to assume it's been done :)
As for contacting previous owners, you'll never know unless you ask them. If you do, just be polite, immediately identify who you are and ask if they'd mind answering a few questions about the history of the vehicle. Can only give you one of two answers so go for it :)

[Rok_Dr]

Unfortunately the dealer is correct regarding privacy laws, unless there is state legislation to the contrary wrt second hand vehicles.

Muppets advice is good. Re contacting the previous owner, just tread carefully and be polite. If the dealer has been landrover for a long while then I'd consider using them. They may be able to ask the questions of alto that you can't if they have a relationship with them.

I'm reasonably comfortable with dealer stamps early in the life of the vehicle. After change of owner, then I want to see invoices supporting the service history.

Cheers

Steve

[akula]

I think Woodleys does LR, they certainly did when we were there and they knew what they were doing.
AFAIK the oil-pump bolt wasn't a recall item, so no, just because it's been serviced by a dealer doesn't mean it's even been considered. It's not a huge job to check it, and even if it says its been done it's a good idea to eyeball it yourself. Given the critical nature of the oil pump bolt, it's never safe to assume it's been done :)
As for contacting previous owners, you'll never know unless you ask them. If you do, just be polite, immediately identify who you are and ask if they'd mind answering a few questions about the history of the vehicle. Can only give you one of two answers so go for it :)

Thanks for your comments!
I will try Woodley's a call and see if they can look at it. I didn't think of them as they don't list LR is a brand they cater for.

[akula]

Unfortunately the dealer is correct regarding privacy laws, unless there is state legislation to the contrary wrt second hand vehicles.

Muppets advice is good. Re contacting the previous owner, just tread carefully and be polite. If the dealer has been landrover for a long while then I'd consider using them. They may be able to ask the questions of alto that you can't if they have a relationship with them.

I'm reasonably comfortable with dealer stamps early in the life of the vehicle. After change of owner, then I want to see invoices supporting the service history.

Cheers

Steve

There is detailed documentation from 160k onwards. This coincided with the second owner's purchase. There was very expensive documented repairs (head, turbo, radiator and hoses) from around 180k. Does that sound ok?

[Disco Muppet]

When we were there, Woodleys didn't sell them but they were the service agent as they were a ford agent.
As has been stated, that's quite serious work, I'd want to see some records of it.
In the end it comes down to what you're happy with, but for the asking price they want that gives you some left over to play with, sorting out issues.

[87County]

Seriously akula, stay away from woodleys (Hyundai dealer) - they're not so well regarded, they had the LR dealership taken off them over 10 years ago

Tamworth LR dealer is JT Fossey - and I have no idea how competent they are

[mike_beecham]

I have, in the past 6 months, rang two dealers, LR and Toyota, to get previous service/repair history on vehicles l am looking to buy with no issues whatsoever??

Mike

[Rok_Dr]

There is detailed documentation from 160k onwards. This coincided with the second owner's purchase. There was very expensive documented repairs (head, turbo, radiator and hoses) from around 180k. Does that sound ok?

You can take it 2 ways. Firstly what was repaired wont be a problem for the foreseeable future or it was evidence of poor treatment. Ask the question of the owner and see how he responds and more importantly get the opinion of whomever you get to do the mechanical pre purchase inspection. There could be an honest reason. That said turbo and coolant system/head repairs are not trivial.

Steve.

[akula]

You can take it 2 ways. Firstly what was repaired wont be a problem for the foreseeable future or it was evidence of poor treatment. Ask the question of the owner and see how he responds and more importantly get the opinion of whomever you get to do the mechanical pre purchase inspection. There could be an honest reason. That said turbo and coolant system/head repairs are not trivial.

Steve.

The current owner explained that a coolant hose underneath the turbo gave out and subsequently cooked the motor. This suggests to me that some of the servicing was performed by non-LR mechanics - as you would expect such an issue would be known about and prevented by a specialist. The fact that this happened makes me worry about other issues that may have been neglected by non-LR servicing coming to haunt me at a later date.

[Disco Muppet]

The current owner explained that a coolant hose underneath the turbo gave out and subsequently cooked the motor. This suggests to me that some of the servicing was performed by non-LR mechanics - as you would expect such an issue would be known about and prevented by a specialist. The fact that this happened makes me worry about other issues that may have been neglected by non-LR servicing coming to haunt me at a later date.

Not necessarily, that issue is not one thats well known, it's caught a few people out.

[akula]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the responses, your input is greatly appreciated!

For what it's worth the car is booked in with the local ARB dealer who apparently have a LR experienced mechanic (they are the same people who rebuilt the motor, and at least one of them has a TD5 Defender). They expect it will take an hour - which seems rushed to me - hopefully they will know what they are doing. I also briefly spoke to the mechanic about the car and he said he thought it is a good, clean example.

Hopefully I will have a good basis for my decision by Friday.

Cheers,

Mark

[UncleHo]

G'day Akula :)

I have seen new genuine hoses and belts fail within 24 hours and on new vehicles during my times as a warranty claims parts man.

cheers