Buying A 2011 GU with 120,000km - what to look out for

[skiman]

Thanks for the replies guys. The plot has thickened somewhat...

I got the loan approval this afternoon and have now proceeded to do a vehicle check - omgwtf have i found? "repairable write off due to flood damage". Unless im reading something completely wrong? Can you cast your eyes over this report and tell me whether i should run in the opposite direction? There is plenty in here that is not matching up with things the seller has told me.

Carhistory Report link to PDF

1. Odometer history

Seller says he has full log books and servicing history (i didnt check them at the time unfortunately, so my bad). When a vehicle gets serviced, does the service centre report odometer history? Because on this report, I see a big 2 year gap between 2013 and 2015, of 50,000km.

2. Reported insurance claims

I dont understand the advice in this section of the report.

a. It says "there were no reported claims for this VIN".
b. Then it says there were claims against this rego plate that "may" have been on this vehicle??

There are some pretty damn big claims in there between 2013 and 2014. $24517, $39092.

3. Car sales history

It only shows 1 sale in 2011?

4. Written off check

a. FEB 2014 VIC, economical repairable write off, storm flood, other.
b. JUN 2014 QLD, Inspected, written off

Can someone please explain what the hell that means?

First sale was listed for a "Large Fleet" in 2011.

From what im gathering (and please correct me if im wrong) - A large fleet in Victoria bought the vehicle in 2011. Fleet owns the vehicle till DEC 2012, where it gets serviced every 2 months or 10,000km. Something happens in 2013, there is a $24517 insurance claim in JAN. Car is repaired, continues to be driven by someone till SEP2013 where there is another claim for a windscreen. Car continues to be driven till JAN 2014 where there is a $39092 insurance claim. In FEB 2014, the car is written off. Between FEB and JUN 2014, someone from QLD buys it, repairs it, has it re-inspected (?) and re-registered with current number plate. He either sells it to current owner, or moves it to NSW for on-sale and profit (or he was ignorant of the write-off himself and now wants to wash his hands of it).

As much as i love the car and want to buy it, my gut is telling me to run the other way. I get the feeling that the seller isnt being totally honest with me No matter how good it looked, or how well it seemed to drive, I dont think i can afford the risk of the engine shitting itself in a couple months time. Or am i being too paranoid?

If i did buy the car, I would want to change the plates to NSW. Which means a blue slip roadworthy, where they would probably see the write off from another state, and then tell me I cant register it here?

HELP!! :-|

[skiman]

For some reason, my response has gone to a moderator before it can be posted here? Was that because i put a link in there?

[Hodge]

Another possible check, is if by chance you have a Scangauge or equivalent, so you can plug it in and check for any codes or pending codes on the car.

[skiman]

Thanks for the replies guys. The plot has thickened somewhat...

I got the loan approval this afternoon and have now proceeded to do a vehicle check - omgwtf have i found? "repairable write off due to flood damage". Unless im reading something completely wrong? Can you cast your eyes over this report and tell me whether i should run in the opposite direction? There is plenty in here that is not matching up with things the seller has told me.

Had a link to the report posted here, but maybe im not allowed to post them?

1. Odometer history

Seller says he has full log books and servicing history (i didnt check them at the time unfortunately, so my bad). When a vehicle gets serviced, does the service centre report odometer history? Because on this report, I see a big 2 year gap between 2013 and 2015, of 50,000km.

2. Reported insurance claims

I dont understand the advice in this section of the report.

a. It says "there were no reported claims for this VIN".
b. Then it says there were claims against this rego plate that "may" have been on this vehicle??

There are some pretty damn big claims in there between 2013 and 2014. $24517, $39092.

3. Car sales history

It only shows 1 sale in 2011?

4. Written off check

a. FEB 2014 VIC, economical repairable write off, storm flood, other.
b. JUN 2014 QLD, Inspected, written off

Can someone please explain what the hell that means?

First sale was listed for a "Large Fleet" in 2011.

From what im gathering (and please correct me if im wrong) - A large fleet in Victoria bought the vehicle in 2011. Fleet owns the vehicle till DEC 2012, where it gets serviced every 2 months or 10,000km. Something happens in 2013, there is a $24517 insurance claim in JAN. Car is repaired, continues to be driven by someone till SEP2013 where there is another claim for a windscreen. Car continues to be driven till JAN 2014 where there is a $39092 insurance claim. In FEB 2014, the car is written off. Between FEB and JUN 2014, someone from QLD buys it, repairs it, has it re-inspected (?) and re-registered with current number plate. He either sells it to current owner, or moves it to NSW for on-sale and profit (or he was ignorant of the write-off himself and now wants to wash his hands of it).

As much as i love the car and want to buy it, my gut is telling me to run the other way. I get the feeling that the seller isnt being totally honest with me No matter how good it looked, or how well it seemed to drive, I dont think i can afford the risk of the engine failing in a couple months time. Or am i being too paranoid?

If i did buy the car, I would want to change the plates to NSW. Which means a blue slip roadworthy, where they would probably see the write off from another state, and then tell me I cant register it here?

HELP!! :-|

---

REPORTED INSURANCE CLAIMS
Insurance claims reported

There were no known insurance claims returned for VIN: JN1TESY61A0413666.

The below claims were matched to the registration number and make of this vehicle. This vehicle may previously have held this registration number, or the claims may relate to a vehicle which previously held this registration number.

Date of claim 21/09/2012 12:00:00 AM
Claim amount $ 62
Claim type description UC Unclassified
Vehicle make NISSAN
Vehicle model PATROL
Year Registration
number LEWIE5
Registration state

Date of claim 25/01/2013 12:00:00 AM
Claim amount $ 24517
Claim type description UC Unclassified
Vehicle make NISSAN
Vehicle model PATROL
Year Registration
number LEWIE5
Registration state

Date of claim 21/09/2013 12:00:00 AM
Claim amount $ 184
Claim type description GL Glass
/ Windscreen
Vehicle make NISSAN
Vehicle model PATROL
Year Registration
number LEWIE5
Registration state

Date of claim 11/01/2014 12:00:00 AM
Claim amount $ 39092
Claim type description UC Unclassified
Vehicle make NISSAN
Vehicle model PATROL
Year Registration
number LEWIE5
Registration state

---

WRITTEN OFF CHECK
Written off status reported

PPSR has reported that this vehicle has been writtenoff.

Writtenoff
Storm, Flood, Other Writtenoff
Date recorded 02 Jun 2014
State recorded QLD
Type Inspected

Writtenoff
Storm, Flood, Other Writtenoff
Date recorded 04 Feb 2014
State recorded VIC
Type Economic Repairable Writeoff

CarHistory notes:
Writtenoff
information is sourced via the PPSR. Refer to the PPSR Certificate below.

[growler2058]

Service history, service history, service history, especially in the early KM's Its vital for longevity that the oils n filters have been changed at the specified intervals

[growler2058]

QLD Floods?
Id be running from that one mate

[Rock Trol]

Run........run away!

[AB]

As much as you'll hate hearing this, walk away and keep looking.

Count your lucky stars you did that check.

It could of course be fine but with that history of known ride off flood damage I wouldn't be buying it.

[skiman]

Thanks guys.. yeh I hate hearing it but im going to take your advice. You know how it is when you set your heart on something that seems perfect. Wasted a Friday driving into Sydney to look at this too. Grrrr..

Oh well, better off having spent $36 than $36,000 and regretting it. The search continues.

[Cuppa]

Yep, if you have doubts, particularly about what you’ve been told by the seller vs what you’ve discovered........ walk away. Plenty more available.

Re. NRMA check. May be ok, bt I had an RACV check done on my Patrol before buying. It wasn’t worth the paper it was written on. The inspector was obviously unfamiliar with Patrols & reported a major problem with the gearbox. On advise from others I paid a 4wd transmission specialist $100 to check it out. Their report was that there was no problem at all. I suspect the RACV inspector wasn’t aware of the low rev transmission growl common to the TD42 & some other diesel 4wds.

On the basis of my experience I’d suggest you have a 4wd specialist do the pre-sale check. Find one near the seller & if the seller is not willing to take the car to them, walk away again. Our check didn’y just find the gearbox was fine, they found a number of other issues which the seller then fixed. The cost of the check saved me around 800 to 1000 in fixes including a replacement fuel tank which was leaking.