Vehicle Inspections

[Ogri]

I'm looking for a Terrano and have been doing as much research as I can prior to going out and looking at any. The problem now is that I've now scared myself silly by reading all the "rust" threads!

Does anyone have any experience of any of the vehicle inspection services offered by RAC/AA and others. Are they thorough enough to find the potentially bad bits on these trucks?

Alternatively, are there any members that might take a look at a truck with me in return for breakfast and a few beer tokens?

The current favourite on my list is a 1999 LWB with very low mileage in Chesterfield with some slight bubbling to the front wings - could this be a pointer to other, more serious problems? Cosmetic rust doesn't bother me I just don't want to end up with a complete basket case!

Cheers,

Ian

[jims-terrano]

Sorry to say unless you buy Rustic's truck you aint gonna buy a rust free Terrano:doh

It appears that the rust areas can all be fixed to some degree, it's just a case do you fix it yourself or pay for it fixing and the later will drain you dry. A 1999 has a few years under it's belt so will have rust set in, that said for some reason newer models seem to be rusting rapidly.

My opinion is that any inspection service will steer you away from a vehicle of that age.

I reckon in the next two years or so the Terrano will become a rare beast, shame really cos they are cracking motors.

My advice get one and enjoy it for as long as it lasts.

[makeitfit]

A lot of the killer rust is sort of shy . Hiding away under plastic trim and the awkward places even an inspection wont really identify without some proper spannering .
You can see the tell tale bad areas though, like rear sills , seat belt mounts and bulkhead areas. Just take a good torch and dont be afraid to lift carpets etc.
Penknife at the ready :thumb2

[Bigbunny2007]

Hi mate im in leeds so chesterfield is not far for me if you can arrange a time suitable for me and you i will go look with you. I bought a 1999 in Feb this year and i have had to do my fair share of welding! Love the truck though and its now solid enough to get a good few years from it. PM me if you need. Craig

[elty001]

when you thinking of going.i live in alfreton so not far away also.
this is my fourth terrano and I have had to weld all of them at some point.
its knowing where to look.
this one I have now is the newest and by far the worst for the old tin worm.
drop me a pm if you need me.:thumbs

[Ogri]

Thanks everyone for the tips and especially <strong>bigbunny2007</strong> and <strong>elty001</strong> for offers to help check one out :thumb2 I'll drop a PM to you when/if anything comes of this one.

The owner has had the car since 2001 and I've emailed him to ask for any history of welding or any that may have been recommended to him. No reply just yet.

It's right at the top of the price range for these trucks (£2k for a 1999 with 65k miles), so I'm hoping that paying a bit over the odds might mean I end up with a less rusty truck but it seems the chances of finding one that isn't terminal is getting smaller by the month!

Thanks again for the replies. Great forum this :D

[elty001]

no problem mate.
happy to help.

[Ogri]

OK, so the seller has kindly replied to say that the truck has never been welded and he has checked MOTs back to 2006 and there have never been any advisories.

He has also been under the truck and photographed the rear seat belt anchors from below as well as a shot of the bulkhead.

Does this help me out at all?

Thanks again :thumb2

[Ogri]

And the other side...

[Ogri]

And lastly the bulkhead - not sure if this really shows anything?

[Fez_uk]

you won't really know unless you have a poke. It's the lower bulkhead/foot area that rots.

[clivvy]

those rear anchor points LOOK fine, id be reasonably confident but wouldn't be happy unless id poked them with a stick.

that bulk head photo tells you nowt!

now you want to see the sills front middle and back. you want to see under the boot carpet and you want to get your head right under so you can inspect the fuel lines, brake lines and the rest of the chassis especially at the back. Those wings, you can only inspect them by removing the plastic trim but if there isn't ANY blemishes creeping out past the trim, then chances are the rust isn't so bad and you can tackle it before it gets worse, but you really need to check the front chassis mounting points where the bumper fixes - look through each front arch remove the flappy rubber cover and look towards the rad - you will see a massive chassis mounting point where the body fixes - these rust out towards the front cross member and its a big fix but easy to check.

[Ogri]

Thanks again for the great advice and descriptions.

The seller is "well into his 60's" in his own words so maybe a bit unfair to send him under the truck again with his camera so I think I'll try to set up a viewing for this weekend.

Here's hoping...

[Banshee]

I'm looking for a Terrano and have been doing as much research as I can prior to going out and looking at any. The problem now is that I've now scared myself silly by reading all the "rust" threads!

Does anyone have any experience of any of the vehicle inspection services offered by RAC/AA and others. Are they thorough enough to find the potentially bad bits on these trucks?

Alternatively, are there any members that might take a look at a truck with me in return for breakfast and a few beer tokens?

The current favourite on my list is a 1999 LWB with very low mileage in Chesterfield with some slight bubbling to the front wings - could this be a pointer to other, more serious problems? Cosmetic rust doesn't bother me I just don't want to end up with a complete basket case!

Cheers,

Ian

I'm in Wednesbury mate if that's any use to you, could potentially come and view it with you :D

[Banshee]

Wings
Seat Belt Mount Points
Bumper Mounts
Front Crossmember
Front and Rear Wheel Arches
Sils Sills Sills!!!!!!
Under Boot Carpet

[elty001]

Wings
Seat Belt Mount Points
Bumper Mounts
Front Crossmember
Front and Rear Wheel Arches
Sils Sills Sills!!!!!!
Under Boot Carpet

just to add to your list

floor under pedals where bulkhead joins the floor.

mine had been flintstonisized in that area for better fuel economy:lol

front body to chassis mounts

body to chassis mounts in front of rear wheel arch.

the best way to check the rear seat belt mounts is to grab the seatbelt and give it a good pull.you will see and hear any movement.
they rot behind the plate in the photo so hard to tell just looking at that.

[Ogri]

I'm starting to think I would be better off starting with something like this :eek:

[firebobby]

Looking at the 1st picture, that looks like it may be rusying away under the uderseal, you need to get under there with a screw driver and have a proper prod.

[Bigbunny2007]

Hard to tell from the photos like has been said, you need to have a poke about really! make a list before you go and check off the areas whilst your there you sometimes forget and get carried away! Most 4x4s of that age will need some welding by now you have to expect it, you just dont want one that is too far gone!! Paying a higher price is no guarantee it will be in better shape. Good luck and give me a shout if needed. :thumbs