Buying with a rebuilt engine - what questions to ask?

[lofi]

Hi all,

As some will know I'm hunting for a C4S tip. I have been advised of a car that had what is described as a full engine rebuild at 61k by Portiacraft but there is no invoice to show what was actually done. If I give Portiacraft a call what sort of questions would I need to ask?

History service history is

1. 5th July 2006 @ 20136 Miles at the Porsche Centre in Solihull.
2. 13th March 2008 @ 27701 at a Porsche Specialist in Kent.
3. 20th July 2009 @ 48020 at the Porsche Centre in Hatfield.
4. 21st July 2011 @ 56231 at Portiacraft Porsche Specialist
5. 20th June 2012 @ 61794 at Portiacraft Porsche Specialist - included full engine rebuild apparently.

Car registered in July 2005

Available service invoices show work to repair leak on chain tensioner cylinders 1-3, new oil pressure switch, new RMS and IMS seal all in 2009.

Any thoughts - should the undocumented rebuild worry me?

 

[ScoobyDoo555]

Get them to define what the "FULL" aspect of the rebuild was.

Could be anything

Usual things though - why was it rebuilt? what was done?

Dan

 

[PeterS]

You need to know exactly what was done and by whom.

Check with the builder.

I bought my car with " an engine rebuild" and it cost me far more to have it done properly.

It cost more than it would've cost in the first place, as the work was bodged, with chewed bolts, wrong threads, etc.

 

[cheshire911]

#1 question: Who did it?
#2 question: What were the reasons for a rebuild?
#3 question: How long ago?
#4 question: What is the warranty - and is still covered?
#5 question: If it was recently rebuilt, why is it up for sale?

There is a chance that someone has it rebuilt on the cheap to sell for more than its worth as salvage wreck (mechanical salvage wreck). If this is the case, you may have to have it rebuilt again to do it properly (expensive).

Finally, put yourself into the seller's shoes and ask: "If I had just spent money on an expensive rebuild, why would I be selling it and not enjoying the fruits of my labour?"

On a personal note, I wouldn't touch a rebuilt engined car without a full audit trail of the service invoices. The fact and reality is that there are plenty of cars out there to choose from and many have all the service invoices and a documented audit trail of the work that was done. This latter point is called buying with your head and not from your heart.

I have been in sales most of my life and that commercial awareness has taught me a thing or two. When there is a choice, why bother with risks such as these? Move on, you'll find a good car out there.

 

[lofi]

Many thanks - I've put that car on the back burner for now

 

[cheshire911]

Sensible decision. You'll not regret it - now look ahead at all those other possibilities out there. There is plenty of choice.

 

[cheshire911]

Sensible decision. You'll not regret it - now look ahead at all those other possibilities out there. There is plenty of choice.