Reply With QuoteGreat idea
I've seen a few forums have a buyers guide.
Could we arrange for a thorough guide to take place.
The GT is getting older so it got me thinking, why don't we have one?
Make it available for non paying members too.
Obviously mods need to carry out general house keeping such as repeat posts or even members can point out repeated suggestions in posts.
Just an idea.
Great idea
After reading around this is what I've come up with so far:
Paperwork/legal
Check the V5 (complete and present) and all paperwork, service history book and HPI report.
Check the mileage on the clock and all old MOTs
Check the pedal rubbers, seat bolsters and steering wheel to make sure there was no excessive wear to suggest clocking.
Interior
Check all electrics (windows, mirrors, central locking / alarm etc) and lights and so on.
Check the heating works.
Also set the alarm off to make sure it was functional (open the window set the alarm and then stick head in the car) to test ultrasonic sensors, or wave fingers in front of them.
Make sure additional gadgets such as boost controllers, gauges turbo timers are fused where necessary (my turbo timer nearly set my car on fire – I got lucky!)
Check there are no naked wires showing with additional electrics.
Check over the interior for rips, burns, breaks etc.
Exterior/bodywork
Check all panel alignment by running a coin round each panel to make sure they were all equal.
Check the doors to make sure they work from the inside and out (my passenger door would not open from the inside) and check the boot opens with the key.
Check in the spare wheel well for water and evidence of crash damage. Also, check boot floor from underneath to make sure it is not creased from accident damage.
Check the tyres and brakes (ridges on the discs and wear on the pads) .
Check underneath to make sure there are not any leaks from the gearbox, front drive shafts and sump.
Engine checks
Make sure bonnet lever works!
Most GTs are not standard.
Make sure the engine is cold, put the back of your hand on the manifold to make sure it is cold.
Start the car and listen for any funny knocks rattles etc, get a friend to check for smoke.
Check all the fluids (oil, steering, brakes, coolant) and check for the usual stuff like 'toffee' round the coolant filler and so on (head gasket issue).
Exhaust
Most owners will have probably have replaced the original exhaust with a stainless steel after-market performance exhaust system.
Check for blows in the exhaust system and the down pipe flexi too (these get scraped cause due the car being lowered.)
If the cat is removed on the GT you are looking at buying make sure to get the old cat from the seller, if it’s not available budget this into the price, as you will need one come MOT time.
Test drive
Check you have valid insurance cover!
Test stop start stop start to make sure the clutch is biting correctly, the brakes to make sure it stops ok and generally get a feel for the car.
Make sure all gears work as they should no crunching, there is a slight crunch when going into reverse if the car is not stationary.
Keep the radio off and the windows closed to check for rattles inside and listen carefully for any knocks or bangs like suspension knocks, engine knocks and rattles etc.
Once it’s warm after about 10mins of driving, open it up a bit more to get it on boost and make sure it pulls ok and feels ok at higher speeds. Have a friend to look out the back for excessive smoke while it is boosting.
Turbos must be allowed to cool down after hard driving - ask the seller what he does for the shutdown procedure.
Watch for a fluctuating idle, which could be a symptom of a dodgy mass airflow sensor (AFM), or sticking waste gate solenoids.
If a boost gauge has been fitted, check that the boost pressure is not exceeding 17–18psi (Seb2 setup)
Further modified setups should be checked thoroughly such as details on what has been done to the engine and what map it has on it, however most GTs have a Seb 2 chip.
To test if the car has a Seb 2 chip, rev the engine from idle, limiter should be 7200rpm.
After a little run around let it tick over for a bit, listen for noises rattles etc also gave it a little blip to again check for smoke.
Rust
Lower models do not rust as much as recent models (GT3).
Check; wheel arches, fuel tank, sills, floor pan, near the fuel filler cap.
Lift the rear seats and check in the corners.
Lift the carpet at the front, check the floor at the front.
Common Faults
Air bag light on – if this is on with after market gauges then this is normal, owners did not disconnect the battery when removing the instrument cluster.
Fluctuating idle - Symptom of a dodgy mass air flow sensor (AFM)
Please feel free to add any extra tips to this thread or corrections in spelling, grammar or the information posted.
Last edited by chetchet007; 20th April 2012 at 22:23. Reason: Adding rust section
Fooking hell chet, it dont cone with an inspection bloke does it?!? Lol
I'd say check for smoke on idle, boost etc.
Rust underneath
I'm sure I've mentioned that somewhere.Originally Posted by PuntoGTturbo
I can't believe I forgot this!!! There needs to be a section on rust.Rust underneath
good post chet
You did but only mentioned to check it on boost.
Please re-read the Engine Checks paragraph and let me know your thoughts via whatsapp.
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