D1 Pre Purchase Inspection in Melbourne

[steveG]

Hi All - First post so hope I've got it right.

I'm looking at purchasing a D1 TDI. I've found a clean looking '97 model with 200K. I've been told its got full service history, but haven't sighted it yet (was pushed for time during lunch yesterday).
Who would you recommend in Melbourne to do a pre-purchase inspection, and what is a reasonable price to pay for the service?
Its located in the South Melbourne area.

Thanks - Steve.

[V8Landy]

There are a few places these are probably closest.(i haven't used them)

MELBOURNE CITY LAND ROVER, LAND ROVER, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA (http://www.mlr.com.au/Dealer_Contact_Information.html)

I've bought parts off these guy's
http://www.amv.com.au/

[steveG]

Thanks.
I just called them and they no longer do the inspections.
They used to but found it was too much hassle.

[steveG]

Just to clarify - its Melb City LR that don't do them any more.
AMV will do them. Cost is $132. I'm hoping to find someone a bit closer to Sth Melbourne

[mns488]

There is not a lot of choice in the inner melbourne suburbs.

I use AMV for servicing.

This group keep putting notes on my car are their services... I have never used them so am not necessarily recommending them just providing a closer option.

Pickard's of Melbourne (http://www.pickardsofmelbourne.com.au/index.htm) (Richmond)

Good luck

[barjop]

You could always try Ritters in Highbury Rd Burwood.
Bit closer than Ringwood.
Call 1st to see if they do do the inspections though

Regard
Barjop
98 Tdi Auto
Ridepro 2" lift
Rear Trutrac

[sclarke]

Fred smith in Bayswater

[dirtdawg]

you talking to him now clarkie

[waynep]

There is not a lot of choice in the inner melbourne suburbs.

I use AMV for servicing.

This group keep putting notes on my car are their services... I have never used them so am not necessarily recommending them just providing a closer option.

Pickard's of Melbourne (http://www.pickardsofmelbourne.com.au/index.htm) (Richmond)

Good luck

They left a card on my car at the long Term Car Park at the airport. I'd never heard of them before.

[ariddell]

I used Ritters to do an inspection on my L322 before we bought it. They were reasonably thorough but did miss a couple of things that were later repaired by the dealer under statutary warranty (suspension clunk and transmission weirdness so may not have shown themselves during their tests admittedly). Not cheap though, cost about $250-300 if i recall correctly.

Other option would be Deacon Automotive in East Bentleigh, they do them too but are generally very busy so can be tricky getting booked in for anything.

I've been in to Pickards in Richmond - seem to mostly specialise in MGs etc. I gave up dealing with them when they failed repeatedly to give me a call back around some parts prices I asked them to get me.

[steveG]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
In the end the logistics of getting it to a specialist got too difficult.

I thought about getting an on-site inspection from the RACV or one of the independent companies, but wasn't convinced of the value seeing they wouldn't have any specialist knowledge.
Ended up just spending an hour or so giving it a thorough going over myself and then taking it for another test drive.

The end result is its coming home with me once the RWC is done :)

[astormsau]

congrats :)