Classic Car Health Checks
We carry out over one hundred comprehensive vehicle health checks every year. Most of these are pre-sale, prospective owners making sure that what they are buying is in good condition.
Presale Vehicle Check
Buying a classic car is not straightforward. No matter the reputation of the dealer or the relationship you may have with the vendor, their job is to get as much money for their asset as possible. It is your job to buy it sensibly with as few hidden issues as possible.
Men (us included) are terrible at this. We love being sold to. We get wrapped up in the romanticism of the deal rather than looking at the situation with a cool head. If you can, buy a car from a dealer or in a private sale. This affords you time and an ability to check a vehicle over, which an auction will rob you of. It is an absolute myth that auctions are a cheap place to buy a car. With fees they will cost as much or more than a dealer and you have no recourse if you make a mistake or the vehicle is mis-described!
Most genuine vendors will offer you a chance to have a vehicle inspected. Either we can do this for you at our workshop, or use our checklist to do it yourself. If you can’t do either of the above, at the very least take the car for an independent MOT even if it is exempt.
COST – £295 + VAT
- Lights checked
- Engine oil level and condition checked
- Engine compression check
- Engine leak down check
- Engine ran up to temperature, check if cooling fans cut in
- Wheels removed, tyres checked for condition, age, tread wear and pressures
- Remove spare tyre and checked for condition, age, tread wear and pressure
- Check wheel hubs/splines for wear and condition
- Check wheel condition, including wheel spokes where wire wheels are fitted
- Check oil breathers
- Inspect brakes for friction material, leaks and function
- Check all driveshaft joints, hubs and ball joints (front and rear)
- Inspect metal brake pipes and flexible pipes for condition/corrosion/leaks
- Check handbrake function
- Underbody corrosion inspection
- Exhaust system inspection, general condition and mounts
- Check gearbox oil for condition and level (suggested change every 5 years)
- Check differential oil for condition and level (suggested change every 5 years)
- Check and top up carburettor dash pots (if SU type fitted)
- Check and replace inline fuel filter
- Check idle/fuel mixture/balance carburettors
- Check air filter(s)
- Check/ spark plugs (suggest change at 2 years)
- Check condition/gap of points/condenser/rotor arm/cap and HT leads
- Check engine timing
- Check drive belt condition and tension
- Inspect coolant pipes & gland hole vent hole under water pump for leakage
- Inspect core plugs for leakage
- Pressure test cooling system
- Check coolant strength (suggested replacement every 2 years)
- Check brake/clutch fluid for level and condition (suggested replacement every 2 years)
- Check windscreen washer fluid, check operation of screen wash jets
- Inspect wiper blade condition and check operation.
- Start engine and check for leaks
- Road test
Heath Check
If your vehicle has been off the road, or is new to you then this is the perfect way to find out exactly what the condition it is in. We will advise you on how your classic can be improved making it reliable and safe for regular driving.
You will receive a written ‘traffic light style’ report, a parts list and quote on the labour required for each improvement. This will help you spend your money wisely, on jobs that will make a difference to the enjoyment you can have out of your car.
COST – £295 + VAT
- Lights checked
- Engine oil level and condition checked
- Engine compression check
- Engine leak down check
- Engine ran up to temperature, check if electric cooling fans cut in
- Wheels removed, tyres checked for condition, age, tread wear and pressures
- Remove spare tyre and checked for condition, age, tread wear and pressure
- Check wheel hubs/splines for wear and condition
- Check wheel condition, including wheel spokes where wire wheels are fitted
- Check oil breathers
- Inspect brakes for friction material, leaks and function
- Check all driveshaft joints, hubs and ball joints (front and rear)
- Inspect metal brake pipes and flexible pipes for condition/corrosion/leaks
- Check handbrake function
- Underbody corrosion inspection
- Exhaust system inspection, general condition and mounts
- Check gearbox oil for condition and level (suggested change every 5 years)
- Check differential oil for condition and level (suggested change every 5 years)
- Check and top up carburettor dash pots (if SU type fitted)
- Check and replace inline fuel filter
- Check idle/fuel mixture/balance carburettors
- Check air filter(s)
- Check/ spark plugs (suggest change at 2 years)
- Check condition/gap of points/condenser/rotor arm/cap and HT leads
- Check engine timing
- Check drive belt condition and tension
- Inspect coolant pipes & gland hole vent hole under water pump for leakage
- Inspect core plugs for leakage
- Pressure test cooling system
- Check coolant strength (suggested replacement every 2 years)
- Check brake/clutch fluid for level and condition (suggested replacement every 2 years)
- Check windscreen washer fluid, check operation of screen wash jets
- Inspect wiper blade condition and check operation.
- Start engine and check for leaks
- Road test
Basic Safety Check
Our advice is to get an MOT. It is cheaper, will check the brakes function more effectively and help maintain an official record of the car’s mileage and condition. But if you just want a quick check over to make sure all the fluids are OK and nothing is going to drop off in the near future, then there is little we will miss!
COST – £60 + VAT
- Lights checked
- Tyre condition and pressure
- Check of wheel bearings
- Visual check of suspension bushes
- Visual check of exhaust
- Visual check of drivetrain/axles
- Visual check of brake components (hydraulic and friction)
- Check handbrake is working
- Check clutch is working and gears engage nicely
- Check of all fluid levels and conditions
- Visual check for leaks
- Visual check of body for corrosion and damage
Get Your Car Booked in Today
With a dedicated service team we can provide a rapid response for servicing and MOT’s. Call us or click the button below to contact us and we can have your classic collected and on the ramp in just 24 hours!
CALL – 01869 221 870