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. 
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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 misdescribed!

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 – £245 + VAT

Presale Vehicle Check List

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  1. Lights checked
  2. Engine oil level and condition checked
  3. Engine compression check
  4. Engine leak down check
  5. Engine ran up to temperature, check if electric cooling fans cut in
  6. Wheels removed, tyres checked for condition, age, tread wear and pressures
  7. Remove spare tyre and checked for condition, age, tread wear and pressure
  8. Check wheel hubs/splines for wear and condition
  9. Check wheel condition, including wheel spokes where wire wheels are fitted
  10. Check oil breathers
  11. Inspect brakes for friction material, leaks and function
  12. Check all driveshaft joints, hubs and ball joints (front and rear)
  13. Inspect metal brake pipes and flexible pipes for condition/corrosion/leaks
  14. Check handbrake function
  15. Underbody corrosion inspection
  16. Exhaust system inspection, general condition and mounts
  17. Check gearbox oil for condition and level (suggested change every 5 years)
  18. Check differential oil for condition and level (suggested change every 5 years)
  19. Check and top up carburettor dash pots (if SU type fitted)
  20. Check and replace inline fuel filter
  21. Check idle/fuel mixture/balance carburettors
  22. Check air filter(s)
  23. Check/ spark plugs (suggest change at 2 years)
  24. Check condition/gap of points/condenser/rotor arm/cap and HT leads
  25. Check engine timing
  26. Check drive belt condition and tension
  27. Inspect coolant pipes & gland hole vent hole under water pump for leakage
  28. Inspect core plugs for leakage
  29. Pressure test cooling system
  30. Check coolant strength (suggested replacement every 2 years)
  31. Check brake/clutch fluid for level and condition (suggested replacement every 2 years)
  32. Check windscreen washer fluid, check operation of screen wash jets
  33. Inspect wiper blade condition and check operation.
  34. Start engine and check for leaks
  35. Road test

Health 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 – £245

Health Check List

Read More
  1. Lights checked
  2. Engine oil level and condition checked
  3. Engine compression check
  4. Engine leak down check
  5. Engine ran up to temperature, check if electric cooling fans cut in
  6. Wheels removed, tyres checked for condition, age, tread wear and pressures
  7. Remove spare tyre and checked for condition, age, tread wear and pressure
  8. Check wheel hubs/splines for wear and condition
  9. Check wheel condition, including wheel spokes where wire wheels are fitted
  10. Check oil breathers
  11. Inspect brakes for friction material, leaks and function
  12. Check all driveshaft joints, hubs and ball joints (front and rear)
  13. Inspect metal brake pipes and flexible pipes for condition/corrosion/leaks
  14. Check handbrake function
  15. Underbody corrosion inspection
  16. Exhaust system inspection, general condition and mounts
  17. Check gearbox oil for condition and level (suggested change every 5 years)
  18. Check differential oil for condition and level (suggested change every 5 years)
  19. Check and top up carburettor dash pots (if SU type fitted)
  20. Check and replace inline fuel filter
  21. Check idle/fuel mixture/balance carburettors
  22. Check air filter(s)
  23. Check/ spark plugs (suggest change at 2 years)
  24. Check condition/gap of points/condenser/rotor arm/cap and HT leads
  25. Check engine timing
  26. Check drive belt condition and tension
  27. Inspect coolant pipes & gland hole vent hole under water pump for leakage
  28. Inspect core plugs for leakage
  29. Pressure test cooling system
  30. Check coolant strength (suggested replacement every 2 years)
  31. Check brake/clutch fluid for level and condition (suggested replacement every 2 years)
  32. Check windscreen washer fluid, check operation of screen wash jets
  33. Inspect wiper blade condition and check operation.
  34. Start engine and check for leaks
  35. Road test

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 in an hour.

COST – £54.95 + VAT

Safety Check List

Read More
  1. Lights checked
  2. Tyre condition and pressure
  3. Check of wheel bearings
  4. Visual check of suspension bushes
  5. Visual check of exhaust
  6. Visual check of drivetrain/axles
  7. Visual check of brake components (hydraulic and friction)
  8. Check handbrake is working
  9. Check clutch is working and gears engage nicely
  10. Check of all fluid levels and conditions
  11. Visual check for leaks
  12. 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 351 883

Contact the Team