Inspection Advice

[Jarv]

I'm considering buying an RS4 Avant, and I have got a couple of possibilities lined up. I've not owned one previosuly and would like to have the reassurance of having the car inspected by a professional. Neither car is on my doorstep (100 and over 200 miles away).

I would be grateful if anyone could give me some advice on this matter. I heard that Audi would inspect the car. Is this true, and if anyone has had this done, what was the rough cost?

Thanks

Jarv

[CliveH]

First piece of advice - all (B5) RS4s are Avants. There are of course some converted saloons, but these will be highly modified S4s - not an ideal first step.

I don't know what Audi offer in this respect. The likes of the AA and RAC offer pre-purchase inspections, but you really need someone who knows these cars. Whilst few of us on here would consider ourselves to be professionals (at least in car terms), I'm sure there would be willing members who would be prepared to go along and look over a car for you. You would then at least get a visual inspection and, if you're lucky, a Vagcom (diagnostic software) report of the car's general health. You'd also get some feedback on the seller, the documents can be inspected, mileage checked, etc.

Whereabouts are the cars located? You may get some inspection offers - it's no substitute for a specialist, professional inspection, but it would be a good start.

[Jarv]

Hi Clive,

Thanks for your prompt reply. First off, I was aware that the B5 only came as an avant, so I apologise if it was an obvious statement.

Good advice regarding the possibility of local members checking out the cars, they are located in Nottingham and Accrington, in case anyone lives near there. I'm from London, but there is a possibility that I will be going to look at the Nottingham one on Saturday. Even though I am seeing it, I'm still not confident enough to be able to give such a complicated car a clean bill of health.

Cheers

Jarv

[WILL22]

If you(or anyone for that matter)want someone to look at cars in the Midlands then I could have a look/go along with to see the car.

I also have vag-com

[Jarv]

That's very generous of you to offer, thanks. I think the one I had my eye on and test drove at the weekend near Nottingham has gone, but the other one in Accrington I believe is still available. Would you class Accrington as Midlands or northern England?

[CliveH]

Accrington is North West.

If it were a bit closer to me, I'd offer to go along...

[Doug_S2]

The problem with an RS4 is that they are valuable cars and prone to being driven fast - and so being bumped - so they are more than likely going to get fixed than written off. Common parts missing or broken on the front end are the bolts for the bi pipes or even cracked mounts for these. Check condition of intercoolers as well - damaged/mashed/not straight cores mean something has happened.

[Rs4Fan]

Jarv,

consider the money you will be spending on the pre purchase inspection (PPI) as an insurance policy. Do the search on this site, there are some Audi Dealers that specialize in these cars and that's where I would recommend you start. Good luck!

[CliveH]

I'd spend my money on a PPI carried out by one of the independent specialists who know these cars inside out.

[ScottyBoy]

I had Audi do an inspection on mine and found it to be very good value, it was 140 odd quid but they went through it with a fine tooth comb and pointed out 8 very minor things from a new wiper on the front to a squeeky drivers window and the runners on the seats needed lubricating. They put there name on it that everything else was sound and gave me a printout with the faults on which i found very reassuring, who better to put there name to it than Audi..................although thats not always a good thing. The check they done was the one they would carry out on a car before they would put it up for sale like a pre-inspection.

[Golich]

If you can't get a specialist or Audi then the AA/RAC used to do a very good inspection.

To be honest most of the major things to inspect are the same for all makes of cars. Some of us owners on here just happen to know the more common things to look out for. That's what the buyers guide sticky at the top of this forum is for.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

PS must add a couple of things to the buyers guide.

[CliveH]

Yes - Golich's buyers' guide is excellent - a must read for all potential RS4 purchasers