PDI

[Clive]

Does anyone know if there is a 'standard' for Pre-delivery inspections for used cars?

The reason I ask is I recently bought a second hand Saab, all was fine when I drove it away.....so I thought.

It's been into Saab for an engine management problem (which, to be honest I wouldn't expect to be picked up on a PDI), whilst there they did a 'health check', and picked up about ten or twelve points that should (in my opinion) have been found on an inspection, and either rectified to make the car safe to drive, or at least notified.

Now, I'm sure most of you are thinking sorry clive, you've dipped out, but....................the warranty sold with the car (which doesn't cover the engine management problem, grrrrrr!), has the dealers signature on it stating the car WAS subject to a PDI. The points picked up include excessive play in the offside steering arm, leaking water pump (£399 on special offer (not that fecking special)), inside rear brake pads at 5 and 10% respectively, both upper rear link arms have excessive play etc etc

Anyhow, back to my original question. Is there a standard??

[slippery]

I thought you only got a PDI check on a new car

[voodoo]

I used to drive car transporters & a PDI can vary big time depending on what your are buying...for new vehicles they get the full treatment but on secondhand it can range anything from a 12 point check to I think its a 124 point all depends where and what you are buying....
Did they give you any warrenty apart from engine/mechanical parts on the car? Normally this is not worth a toss anyway as they charge you to diagnose the problem and that can run into 6 or 700 just for that.....Make sure you go right through the warrenty and read any sub clauses & exclusions...How long have you had the car for?...Your sale may be covered under certain selling regulations if you have only just got it...ie not fit for intended purpose ect....In that case you would be well within your rights to take it back and either demand a full refund or rectification of the problems....
That VW Gold I got the missus a couple of years back had a few problems with the engine and after a little chat with the garage they did the work....Let me know mate...Voodoo....

[voodoo]

One other thing....how much mot is on the car?.....Only asking as those steering and link arms would be a failure normally?...Voodoo....

[hunter]

As voodoo said MOT is the thing,If it's only a couple of weeks old go back to them with that,
As for PDI on a second hand car,It don't mean a thing,unless there was a catastrophic failure.

[BikerGran]

Howevere new or old the MOT, it's an offence to sell a vehicle that's not safe for the road - whether or not you know it's not safe.

I know this from experience, years ago we sold my ex's scooter which turned out to have a bent frame and we had to refund the money.

[voodoo]

Hopefully i will speak with Clive tmrw as worked in the trade & also had similar problems myself b4.....If its a very recent purchase he is covered by the sale of goods act if the item is not fit for intended pupose & also if the vehicle was unsafe....still got my books with all the relevant info somewhere and will dig them out if needed...Voodoo...