AA inspection result

[Orca Brody]

Hi all. I need a bit of advice if anyone has any. I'm close to buying a 2012 Rapido after agreeing a price I'm happy with. I just had the results of the AA inspection. Can anyone please share they're thoughts on this? I'd be really grateful. For the experts out there, what would you do?

 

[Sapper520]

Just saying.

One of my sons……car keys, drive. Oil, coolant, tyres…..what are they? Other son…..poo hot on vehicle maintenance.

Answer is…..no, my son won’t notice diddly squat. Hence, he gets me to buy his and his wife’s cars. Last car he purchased himself was when in lived in The Netherlands……cost him a fortune when the engine blew.

Had two cars shipped out to him, from the UK, when he lived in Cyprus. Very bright bloke, but he‘s clueless with anything with a motor or engine.

 

[Orca Brody]

Did you not drive it yourself? Did you notice any smoke? See

Was going for a test drive next week but noticed no smoke when the engine was on during a viewing.

 

[scotzsue]

My thoughts, unless you have a mechanic mate run and even then I would walk away quickly.

 

[Raul]

Was going for a test drive next week but noticed no smoke when the engine was on during a viewing.

Smoke under load as you drive it, not idle. If suspension components are rusty maybe sea side and winter salt not washed. I would keep looking. It could be a expensive experience.

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[Raul]

If it's a Fiat engine of that era, we had one that smoked under warranty. It turned out to be a faulty DPF(?) sensor. No idea what it cost to replace but no issues afterwards. From memory, it only smoked when decelerating, not under load.

Interesting, never knew dpf was fitted in 2012 models.

 

[TDub49]

Rearrange these words into a well known phrase or saying "Barge pole with don't it touch"

 

[meanders]

Interesting, never knew dpf was fitted in 2012 models.

I can only report what I was told by the main dealer.

 

[AndyPK]

Interesting, never knew dpf was fitted in 2012 models.

Didn’t DPFs become mandatory in 2012 to get Euro 5 certification……so probably fitted prior to that also?

 

[Northernraider]

Personally if you like the van I'd be inclined to have another proper mechanic look it over.

I have a massive distrust of aa ( alleged mechanics ) from Personal experience.


Blue smoke is oil burning but it can be from a lot of different sources....not all of them carry the same level of seriousness.

But if its an easy got layout at similar price then you can just go buy another one

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[Orca Brody]

Personally if you like the van I'd be inclined to have another proper mechanic look it over.

I have a massive distrust of aa ( alleged mechanics ) from Personal experience.


Blue smoke is oil burning but it can be from a lot of different sources....not all of them carry the same level of seriousness.

But if its an easy got layout at similar price then you can just go buy another one

I won't be using AA again for the record. He turned up 3 hours late when fully dark and was gone in under an hour. Was supposed to get phonecall after inspection but didn't. Got pdf report this afternoon. The owner has only driven it on very short journeys since August when the MOT and habitation check were carried out and has never noticed any blue smoke at all. Maybe it only starts when engine is a bit warmer, I don't know.

Not sure where to go from here. Thanks for the input.

 

[dash300]

I won't be using AA again for the record. He turned up 3 hours late when fully dark and was gone in under an hour. Was supposed to get phonecall after inspection but didn't. Got pdf report this afternoon. The owner has only driven it on very short journeys since August when the MOT and habitation check were carried out and has never noticed any blue smoke at all. Maybe it only starts when engine is a bit warmer, I don't know.

Not sure where to go from here. Thanks for the input.

That is additional information. A vehicle inspection in under an hour in the dark would not be worth the paper written on. Clearly no compression test and how did he know what colour the exhaust smoke was. V poor.
My boat surveys have taken between 3 and 4 hrs with a sea trial on top.

 

[Badknee]

The owner has only driven it on very short journeys since August when the MOT and habitation check were carried out and has never noticed any blue smoke at all. Maybe it only starts when engine is a bit warmer, I don't know.

I would be taking it for an Italian Service once it was properly warmed up. Low gear, high revs preferably up a hill. The smoke could be oil built up in the exhaust from valve seals on their way out.
Get it hot, plenty of revs and if it still smokes walk away.

 

[Northernraider]

I won't be using AA again for the record. He turned up 3 hours late when fully dark and was gone in under an hour. Was supposed to get phonecall after inspection but didn't. Got pdf report this afternoon. The owner has only driven it on very short journeys since August when the MOT and habitation check were carried out and has never noticed any blue smoke at all. Maybe it only starts when engine is a bit warmer, I don't know.

Not sure where to go from here. Thanks for the input.

And that's why I have a distrust of AA technicians.

Most are good for a lift home at best.


As I said my next course of action if I really liked the van would be a more qualified mechanic .

 

[Landy Andy]

I won't be using AA again for the record. He turned up 3 hours late when fully dark and was gone in under an hour. Was supposed to get phonecall after inspection but didn't. Got pdf report this afternoon. The owner has only driven it on very short journeys since August when the MOT and habitation check were carried out and has never noticed any blue smoke at all. Maybe it only starts when engine is a bit warmer, I don't know.

Not sure where to go from here. Thanks for the input.

In that case I think the report you have is pointless.
Sorry.

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[Just smiffy]

As Badknee said, discuss the report with the owner and take it for an extended test drive of at least an hour and see if any smoke during that time…

 

[Bessy765]

Check the ot history for the mileage and anything it may have failed on before, and advisories

 

[Sapper520]

I won't be using AA again for the record. He turned up 3 hours late when fully dark and was gone in under an hour. Was supposed to get phonecall after inspection but didn't. Got pdf report this afternoon. The owner has only driven it on very short journeys since August when the MOT and habitation check were carried out and has never noticed any blue smoke at all. Maybe it only starts when engine is a bit warmer, I don't know.

Not sure where to go from here. Thanks for the input.

Do you have anyone at all nearby, with some sort of vehicle knowledge, who can at least look at it with you?

If not, and you buy it, I do hope I’m wrong about my fears.

 

[Miggs]

If you really like the van, it all comes down to how much you can get the price reduced by. A recon engine and all the other bits and pieces professionally fitted could be 5 - 10 grand.
Seller will likely just wait for a buyer who doesn't check so thoroughly.

 

[meanders]

If you do take it for a longer run, do it in daylight and get someone to follow in a car to see how bad it is. If the car has a dashcam all the better.

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[chaser]

Has someone else been looking at this van since you first saw it?
It is not unknown for unscrupulous buyers messing with the engine to make it look as if there is something wrong it to get the price down.

 

[mitzimad]

i would be questioning the aa's ability to work in the dark mind you i question their ability to work in daylight as well

 

[MisterB]

How has the seller responded? That could be key to your next move. I wouldn't walk away just yet as I suspect the seller will be just as keen to know what the issue actually is and the cost of any repair, if actually needed AND to resolve the issue .... If of course they are the type of people we all hope previous owners are of any motorhome we buy.

 

[1967bowesj]

Orca76
have you a link to the van in question?
you may get better answer so if we can see what you can see.

 

[Rimswell Wanderer]

Hi all. I need a bit of advice if anyone has any. I'm close to buying a 2012 Rapido after agreeing a price I'm happy with. I just had the results of the AA inspection. Can anyone please share they're thoughts on this? I'd be really grateful. For the experts out there, what would you do? View attachment 708565

Having spent My working life in the retail motor trade we welcomed AA inspections. First is the blue smoke, that is a sign of oil passing beyond the piston rings and been burned off and the fact that they shortened the road test says to me remedial work is required in the worst case it means removing the cylinder head, sump and pistons for further inspection certainly not a cheap job . Exhaust silencer corroded could eventually mean replacing it, It’s difficult to comment on corrosion on the suspension as yes they do go rusty but to what extent bearing in mind it is steel and some suspension parts are pretty robust and can look to a layman worse than you think but I would speak to the AA engineer and ask to what extent. Personally alarm bells are ringing and I would be having second thoughts and remember the reporting engineer is professional at what he does.

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[Hymerboy]

Well done for getting the AA report, however the service he provided was very poor, have you considered complaining to AA with a view to getting a second opinion ?

 

[PeterCarole29]

That is additional information. A vehicle inspection in under an hour in the dark would not be worth the paper written on. Clearly no compression test and how did he know what colour the exhaust smoke was. V poor.
My boat surveys have taken between 3 and 4 hrs with a sea trial on top.

How would you do a compression test on a 2012 assume its a diesel.
I thought you would have to start to dismantle the engine .i.e injectors.
No one would surely want that responsibility when injecters cost £350 each and sometimes break when being removed

 

[PeterCarole29]

Not that this should happen with a maintained van but i remember buying an old van knowing it had a blue smoke problem .
Yet when on tick over and you removed the filler cap it didnt breath at all so i felt it was something else. Mice had a nest in the air filter. I was well happy. But there is a big difference here i was very well familiar with the old diesel engines and it was only £250 for the van.
Take the advice unless you can have a cost of repair from someone who is willing to fix the van or a reduction in price to well cover the cost and hassle walk away. An engine rebuild and fitting is between £3500 and £5000

 

[dash300]

How would you do a compression test on a 2012 assume its a diesel.
I thought you would have to start to dismantle the engine .i.e injectors.
No one would surely want that responsibility when injecters cost £350 each and sometimes break when being removed

On the boat I removed the heater plugs and screwed in the compression tester adapter.

 

[OG1]

we have a Rapido 7066f good quality build Thay started 50 year/s ago. Originally French cabnet. Makers. The only problem we had was the Roof light letting in Walter. Othwise not other problem.one point has the timing belt been changed.

Hi all. I need a bit of advice if anyone has any. I'm close to buying a 2012 Rapido after agreeing a price I'm happy with. I just had the results of the AA inspection. Can anyone please share their thoughts on this? I'd be really grateful. For the experts out there, what would you do? View attachment 708565

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[Orca Brody]

Thanks again for all the input. It's all really helpful. The owner has responded with surprise and has never noticed any blue smoke but he only has very small drives here and there. I've sent him some of the photos AA sent over which are just photos of the underside. I've put in a complaint with AA. Not sure how that'll go.

I don't have anyone that I trust enough with vehicles to have a look at it so would have to go the pro route again and now I'm £200 lighter, not sure if I'd do that. I'll have to have a think about it all. Thanks again. I'll leave some of the photos AA sent in case they are of interest to anyone. There were other photos but these ones relate more to the amber and red items reported. It was a green tick for anything else. Happy to email a copy to and experts that might want a look over ...