Braunton Engineering offer two Porsche inspections on site. A basic inspection or a major inspection. They do not offer a mobile inspection service.

Should I buy a Porsche without a 'Pre Purchase Inspection'? The answer in short: No!

Braunton Engineering advocate both an inspection and an official HPI check to establish if there are any faults or issues with the car.

Why bother with a PPI ? Well, a specialist will be familiar with the model in question and should be able to instantly see if any work is required. They will then give you an idea of the costs to put the car right, or to discover any future maintenance costs. This information could assist you in negotiating a better price to take into account the essential work.

Basic inspection: This is a one to two hour inspection conducted with the vehicle raised on a ramp to view the underside - the suspension, engine and exhaust, chassis etc. A familiar eye can often spot any early signs of wear and tear or corrosion to parts, bodywork or chassis. It is easy to see if a vehicle has been well cared for or neglected. @£55 - £110 +vat.

Major inspection: This is an in-depth look at the vehicle including a check on engine health with cylinder leak-down check and a look at the state of the oil/oil filter to check for foreign particles. The major comes with a detailed report which examines the car for wear and tear, and any immediate and future work which may be required. The combination of model familiarity and the MOT testing discipline provide a comprehensive run down of the vehicle in question. £330+vat

For individual model's weaknesses, expense areas, and what to look out for, please see the sections devoted to each model.

Buying a Porsche:

The first step is to talk to the owner with a list of pertinent questions, then if you are happy to proceed further, take out an HPI data check of the vehicle in question.

The HPI check is available online for £19.99. Do not be tempted to use another cheaper check as these do not provide all of the essential information to ensure you are buying a straight, finance-free vehicle.

The HPI check - All one needs is the registration number initially and the check will inform you of: 

1. Number plate changes.

2. Stolen vehicle.

3. Written off / recorded for damage with DVLA.

4. Outstanding finance.

5. Vehicle identity.

6. V5 document check - document details required.

7. Mileage discrepancy.

8. VIN chassis plate check