Conspiracy Theory? or just BS?

[DarkCoupe]

During my search for an R34, I had an interesting conversation from a dealer / importer in Victoria, who expressed his opinion on what he thought about NRMA / RACV / RACQ checks:

Me: So can I do a RACV check on the car?

Dealer: No.

Me: Um ... can I ask why?

Dealer: Well ... we feel that they are biased, and always give a bad report on import cars.

Me: What information are you basing this on.

Dealer: Past experience with them, and also the fact that I think they are in cahoots with all the local manufacturers like Holden and Ford, compounded with the new BS regulations that have come in to make life hell for all of us. So, you can get it checked whereever else you like, but as far as RACV is concerned, you cant take it there.

Me: Ok thanks for that. I'll get back to you. See ya.

Dealer: Bye.

So, there you have it.

What do you all think? Is this true this "cahoots" business? or just a load of crock?

[king_kw13]

RACV inpsections are absolute BS. They did one on a car i bought previously and they didnt even identify any of the problems i had with it straight after i bought it, like slipping clutch and leaking oil. Don't even bother with em dude

[Jamezilla]

RACV checked my car out before I bought it - guy said it was fine.

Didn't notice the broken suspension strut or f*cked clutch that I did when driving the first 50m.

I got someone else to check the car.

No conspiracy theory, just NFI - RACV inspectors are better kept to Camrys and Lasers.

[rev210]

It makes the dealer sound as if they have something to hide.

If it makes you the customer more confident in making the purchase why wouldn't they let you do it?

The best response is to say to them " I'm not even going to consider buying this car unless you allow an inspection " They have nothing to lose except the sale if they refuse. I'm sure there are plenty of other places that will be happy to comply with your wishes.

Sure inspections don't always turn up every problem with a car but, if you are not able to do it yourself then they are much better than nothing. Remember you are buying second hand performance vehicles here. Bad luck is reality.

[jake32]

No conspiracy theory, just NFI - RACV inspectors are better kept to Camrys and Lasers.

Thats it in a nutshell ...the dealer is right they tend to bag imports regardless..usually as they have little knowledge of imports...ie: racq report on r32 ...4ws not working..how do you know that i ask ......when we turned steering wheel back wheels did not move...car was parked at the time

get some one with mechanical qualification & ..knowledge of skylines

__________________

[09ONE_32]

Well my experiences of RACV inspections were quite the opposite to what most people have said (but still just as bad)

Instead of missing things on my car (which they did also) they bagged pretty much everything on it. The cooler, exhaust, location of turbo??? I am still using the stock manifold. What got me was when he told me that I had 2 vacume leaks in my intake system.

"Point these out please" I asked. He pointed to my B.O.V and the line to my boost gauge. I slapped my self across the head for wasting my time taking the car to be inspected by a god dam clown.

[NuGGeT]

I had my car check from RAc over here in perth. i know they miss things but they did a good job on my car. they gave the car the all clear apart from some minor things like tie rod end boots. overall i was impressed.

tho i havn't had any trouble with my car at all since buying it

[Airzone]

I got an NRMA inspection done in sydney. And they got everything spot on. Got a new clutch, and an oil seal somewhere. He didn't pick up on my stock boost gauge not working, but I think the guy was impressed with the car...

[HIPSI]

Why not just take the car to your local jap performance workshop?

Doesn't cost that much and atleast they know wat there talking about.

[DarkCoupe]

hmm ... alright thanks guys. I reckon best bet is to get a check by a local trusted import specialised nissan mechanic... someone like powerplay imports for example perhaps (in sydney)

what do you think?

[Guest RedLineGTR]

i say get a workshop to check it out for you etc...or someone that knows alot about a specific car

[T0nyGTSt]

Take it to a Skyline specialist who will give you a full written report on the car.

There are a number of import workshops who can give an accurate assessement.

T.

[DarkCoupe]

Tony can you recommend any shops in Sydney I can take it for a comprehensive check (for a R34)

[xRHETTx]

I have had one r32 checked for me with RACV and another in NSW with NRMA.

Both times i think they did an ok job, they picked up alot that i wouldnt have noticed. Any car dealership/importer who wont let you get a car checked isnt worth ur time.

Fair enough RACV/NRMA are more used to dealing with Aus delivered cars, but i know at least in Vic, there are only a few RACV places that do import inspections. I had to take mine to RACV in prahran, and the guy who looked at it seemed to be knowledgable about skylines. He even picked out that the instrument clucter must have been changed as the gauges were blue-faced, (from series 1 R32s).

[Guest INASNT]

RACV and other mobile inspection companies dont have actual mechanics working for them. The next door neighbour at my old place was a RACV mobile unit guy and he had NFI about even basic mechanics except how to jump start a car.

[predator]

I think RACV and RACQ inspections are different kettles of fish, even though they are basically the same organisations - just based in two different states. I think RACQ up here may have been more formally NRMA? not sure

In melbourne at least, I never really felt the RACV inspection was that good on any car i had inspected, even non imports. But from your recent report, sounds like where you took it for RACQ they did a quite thorough inspection.

You can say fair call possibly on the dealer not trusting RACQ inspection, however all they have to lose is a sale if they are affraid to have it checked out. I assume you are probably paying too, so unless they have something to hide why should they care? Probably what they should have said was "yes, you can do an RACQ inspection if you like, but its not what we would use as any comprehensive guide on the quality of the car".

With what i have heard of most dealers, and what they bring in, there is definitely a lot that they *are* trying to hide. Getting a cheaper car in japan means a greater profit for them here in Australia- from a business perspective that makes sense, but ends up screwing over many consumers.

To be honest, I reckon you might just be better biting the bullet and trying to import your R34 (if possible). You are taking a definite risk again, but many import brokers have their own inspectors they use in japan to inspect the vehicle before you go ahead. All they really have to lose is their reputation by bringing in a dodgy car (even though it may not always be there fault), so in a way it pays for them to check it out also. What you save ($5k?) on doing this, you can put aside for an engine replacement (worse case scenario), or modications when it gets here.

I think though, all the plates have dried up though now to our lovely government ****ing the import laws up

[T0nyGTSt]

Tony can you recommend any shops in Sydney I can take it for a comprehensive check (for a R34)

Popular places like Croydon Auto in Silverwater, Unique Auto in Castle Hill, Revrite Performance in Silverwater, perhaps Unigroup in Giraween.

T.

[SKY031]

i think you should have made the poll clearer....

what exactly are we voting on here?

conspiracy:- could mean

• car yard conspiring to hide things from RACV
  
• RACV conspiring with Ford/Holden/Mitsubishi to steer people towards buying their cars, and to stay away from imports
  

BS:-

well..... which part are we voting for as BS?

• car yard conspiring to hide things from RACV
  
• RACV conspiring with Ford/Holden/Mitsubishi to steer people towards buying their cars, and to stay away from imports
  
• The fact that you can't get the car checked out by whoever you want
  

If the car yard won't let you get an independant assessment of the vehicle, then that should raise some major concerns about how legitimate the dealership is.

[JAM*353]

I think if a dealership wont let you take it to be checked then i would walk away no matter how good the car looked!

On another side, i dont know if dealerships would let you take the car to be checked out, i mean there not going to drive it there and back on the basis you may buy it, and there not gonna let you take it!

[Ash]

the dealer was probably hiding something... perhaps it had been in an accident?