Report Example: Standard Report (Classic Car Inspections)
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1933 Austin 10/4 Deluxe Saloon
Overview: The overall impression is that of an extremely well restored pre war car. The standard of work is very high quality, and in the 22 years since restoration, the car has clearly been well cared for and maintained.
Documentation: There is a comprehensive history file covering the restoration work along with original Owners Handbook and Parts List. The V5C Registration Document is present along with many past MOT Certificates. The Chassis and Engine numbers match those on the vehicle itself. Detailed checks indicate that there is no outstanding finance on the vehicle and the vehicle has not been the subject of an insurance write off.
Bodywork: Paint finish is generally excellent, with only very minor usage related marks. The only visible sign of panel corrosion is one small minor surface deep section, an area of approximately 25mm diameter on the lower nearside rear door panel. Panel fit is very good and doors open and close without problem. All locks and handles operate as intended and all chromework is excellent. All the body panels are steel, as original. The underside, inc floors and chassis are in very good order, being painted and waxoyl protected. All glass appears original and apart from minor edge fogging is in good order. Exterior lighting is as original, works correctly and is in excellent condition.
Interior: The original leather seats and door cards are in superb order with only minor wear. Headlining is an original spec ‘Union Melton’ woolcloth replacement and is excellent. The refurbished original ‘Pytchley sliding head’ sunroof works as it should and is a real asset to the car. The carpets are an accurate copy of the original and are in excellent condition. All interior handles and fitting are present and in very good order. Dashboard and instruments are as original and in good working order, with the exception of the fuel gauge which in typical pre war form is unreliable. Steering wheel has no cracks or damage. Handbrake and foot controls are in good order.
Mechanical: Engine bay and engine externals are in very good order, showing an excellent standard of maintenance. Levels (coolant and oils etc) are correct. There are no signs of excessive oil leaks. There are signs of minor fuel leaks from the carburetor. Suspension components and visible brake components are in very good order. Wheels appear true with no damaged spokes. Tyres are the correct size crossply pattern, fresh in appearance and all carrying good tread depth. Jack and wheel brace are present. The car sits well, with no settling or leaning.
Road Test: The car starts from cold without problem, idles nicely once at temperature and restarts from hot without hesitation. On the road, the car accelerates and moves through the gears (four speed non syncromesh) as you would expect. Braking is good, but does pull slightly to the nearside. There are no obvious adverse rattles of noises. Engine smoke is negligible once warm. Steering is light and direct with just slight loose play in the steering column top bush. Lights, semaphore indicators and wipers all work as designed.
Summary: A well restored and maintained pre war saloon with no obvious serious issues. Clearly well cared for, but due to lack of recent use will require minor recommissioning before use. The vendor has the car sensibly priced, but would I feel be open to some negotiation. The ‘chrome rad’ Austin 10’s are a superb small pre war car and there is a thriving owners club. In my opinion this is one of the best Austin 10/4’s in existence.
Report Example: Extended Report
1996 Landrover Defender 90 CSW
Overview: The overall impression is that of a well maintained and looked after honest working Landrover, clearly in daily use and being used as intended.
Documentation: There is a comprehensive history file, with almost every invoice from new, full service history, all MOT Certficates and the original Owners Handbook. The V5C Registration Document is present and confirms only two owners from new, the first for only a few months and being the Landrover Main Dealer. The Chassis and Engine numbers match those on the vehicle itself. Detailed checks indicate that there is no outstanding finance on the vehicle and the vehicle has not been the subject of an insurance write off. The documentation verifies the recorded mileage of only 84732 miles.
Bodywork:
General: Finished in Epsom Green metallic with a gloss Black roof. I would say that the vehicle was professionally repainted maybe five to ten years ago. The main body colour is as built and the roof colour has been change from White to Black.
Roof: Minor paint chips to roof gutter. Factory fitted sunroof has been removed and a blanking panel fitted. This has been carried out to a high standard.
Bonnet: Widespread light scratching.
Rear Door: Minor surface corrosion to internal lower corners.
Rear panels: Minor corrosion around rivet heads.
Nearside front wing: Galvanic corrosion in lower section. Galvanic corrosion is very
common in traditional Landrovers. This is the result of direct contact between the aluminum skin and steel frame/mounts.
Nearside door: Small dent to upper curved section.
Nearside rear panel: Galvanic corrosion in two areas.
Offside front wing: No issues.
Offside door: Small amount of paint microblistering to upper area.
Offside rear panel: As nearside rear panel.
Glass: No issues. Heated front screen in working order. Heated rear screen in working order.
Lighting: No issues. Replacement LED sidelights, indicators, stop/tail lights, reversing light and rear fog light fitted. LED rear work lights. Halogen headlamps. Long range auxiliary driving lamps. All working as intended.
Extras: Mudflaps, lightguards, steering guard, 'Dixon Bate' adjustable tow hitch, recovery shackles and uprated front bumper have been fitted.
Interior:
Seating: Both front seats fitted with full covers. Seats in excellent condition.
Headlining: Excellent condition 'Factory spec' replacement.
Door cards: Front door cards in good order. Rear door card has minor surface damage.
Carpets/mats: Original carpeting generally in presentable order with minor edge fraying etc. Original rubber mats sound but getting tired.
Controls: All controls in good order. Showing minimal wear. Non standard steering wheel fitted. Original steering wheel will come with the vehicle.
Dash/Instruments: All instruments in working order, inc heater/demister. Dash has an additional non standard centre panel which houses fresh air vents, CD/Radio, extra switchgear and map light etc. All in working order and a very neat installation. There is a factory spec ‘cubby box’ fitted between the seats. This is in good order. Additional demister vents fitted to dash top.
Mechanical:
Engine: This Defender has the 300tdi diesel engine fitted. It starts well from cold and from hot. There is no excessive smoke. Idles well and no adverse rattles / knocking. Engine externals are as you would expect from a well maintained diesel of this mileage. No excessive leaks. In good order. There is a full stainless steel exhaust fitted. The 300tdi is considered by many, including me to be the ideal Defender powerplant. Strong and reliable. Powerful enough to do the job yet reasonably economical and when maintained well, capable of huge mileages.
Underside: Original chassis, with replacement rear crossmember. Clearly repeatedly waxoyl protected over the years. As to be expected with a working vehicle, there is dried mud covering much of the underside. Examination of the usual corrosion areas revealed that in general the chassis is in a good serviceable order. There is evidence of corrosion in numerous areas but none of this is serious at present. Floor panels are in good order with only minor corrosion. Bulkhead has serious corrosion in several ‘flat surface’ non structural areas, some of these have undergone ‘temporary’ repair.
Running gear: Axles, propshafts, gearbox and braking systems appear well maintained with no excessive leaks. Suspension has been polybushed and has uprated shock absorbers. This all appears to be in good order.
Wheels/tyres: Standard factory alloy wheels in good order. All tyres are BF Goodrich ‘All Terrain’ 265/75x16 in excellent order with approx. 6mm of tread all round. Spare tyre (BFG Mud Terrain) has some cracking to the sidewalls.
Road Test: The Landrover starts and drives extremely well, showing all the signs of an extremely well maintained vehicle. Acceleration through the gears (five speed) is as you would expect. Braking is strong with no pulling off line. Diff locking and the high/low ratios all work well. Engine and transmission are as expected with no adverse noises. Steering is power assisted, light and direct with no slack.
Summary: Although very dirty through daily use, this is clearly a meticulously maintained vehicle in very good mechanical order and generally in good order for the age. Low mileage and with comprehensive documentation to substantiate this. This is a good mechanically strong vehicle with some sensible modifications/upgrades yet retaining all the qualities of the original vehicle. The vehicle is in ‘ready to use’ condition, needing no obvious immediate remedial work. There would however be considerable work needed in a few years, when extensive bulkhead and chassis welding would have to carried out in order to maintain the requirements of the MOT test. In my opinion the most effective route would be to replace the full chassis with a new galvanized chassis and have the bulkhead repaired where necessary. This work is extensive and although expensive, in the long term would be a good investment. At this time, while the vehicle was in a stripped down condition, I would recommend that a new clutch (the vehicle is still on it’s original clutch) be fitted along with a brake and suspension overhaul. I would also suggest that this would be ideal time to address the bodywork issues. The vendor has the car sensibly priced, bearing in mind it’s low mileage and condition. I do feel that he would be open to negotiation. Defenders hold their value very well indeed, and even considering the anticipated cost of chassis replacement, this vehicle is a good prospect and sound purchase.
Classic Car Expert - Classic Car Inspections.