Wanted Best practice for hiring vehicle inspectors for long-distance sales?

Looking for an LX 470 outside the salt belt. Love the Slee inspection list.

What’s the best advice about hiring someone to inspect a prospect vehicle? Years ago, I bought a VW Syncro camper from across the country. Those were quirky enough that a list of “approved mechanics” was available, and I was able to hire one of them to inspect.

Is there similar guidance for these vehicles?

Alliance Inspection told me they only inspect for cosmetic stuff (no mechanicals). SGS is the only other national firm I’ve heard of.

Ideally, I’d like to provide the Slee list to someone and get a report.

Tjb
Mount Desert, ME

 

[landcruiserjunky]

Normally I suggest to shout out to someone on mud. It's all about knowing where to look and what to look for.

 

[2001LC]

@landcruiserjunky right, it's knowing what to look for. Most inspection from Dealer or Inspection Services aren't worth much. ih8Mud can be one of your best sources to find a local in area of purchase.

What year are you looking for?

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

IIRC @beno has done this in the past as a consultant. Not sure if that is still part of his business, but you will be hard pressed to find someone more knowledgeable about land cruisers.

 

[tjb]

@landcruiserjunky
What year are you looking for?

‘03-05 mostly, but I’m looking for anything without rust and not approaching 250k.

 

[2001LC]

You can read through my links below to see some of what to look for in the 100 series. One other thing additional to watch in 04 and earlier 05 that I can think of at the moment, is transmission shudder at 35MPH driving up hill. TSB on that around here somewhere.

If you find one in my area, I can inspect for you. Just reach out to me in a PM.

Your 250K limite is getting up there, so hope you wrench if you buying near that. I've only got an 07LC w/64k no AHC and 11LC w/80k currently both supper clean, with low miles. Well one more, a 00LX w/350K I'm currently playing with. It a handful, was a no start condition I towed out of the foothills. Almost bought one more this week, 07 w/140K, it's a sickness

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Our local dealership does an excellent job evaluating all series Land Cruiser. I can easily recommend Camelback Toyota for any local purchase, well worth the money.

 

[BM4]

IIRC @beno has done this in the past as a consultant. Not sure if that is still part of his business, but you will be hard pressed to find someone more knowledgeable about land cruisers.

@beno inspected mine for me before I purchased in Atlanta, full list of pros and cons. Once purchased he did some of the base line work for me.

 

[ExpeditionEnvy]

@landcruiserjunky right, it's knowing what to look for. Most inspection from Dealer or Inspection Services aren't worth much. ih8Mud can be one of your best sources to find a local in area of purchase.

Curious for all opinions on why a dealer inspection is/isn't worth much (which may depend on if the dealer is the one selling it or you bring in a private purchase). I would think they would be the right people for "knowing what to look for" like LandCruiserPhil's experience:

Our local dealership does an excellent job evaluating all series Land Cruiser. I can easily recommend Camelback Toyota for any local purchase, well worth the money.

Thanks!

 

[2001LC]

It has been my experience coming behind a Dealership inspection, that I'll find much more stuff. More dents, dings, chips, leaks, missing parts, broken stuff then on their private party report. That's not to say all Dealership reports are useless, just all the ones i've seen..

I was just working on and LX570, that a private party paid a Lexus Dealership, which gave a clean bill of health. I found a timing chain cover leak rather quickly. Oil wasn't hitting the ground but was visible from above and through wheel well.

Another I just bought 07 w/60K miles. I was able to get my hands on the internal inspection report which was done for their used car department. Dealer shop listed steering rack, UCA, TRE, ball joints and wheel bearings all needed replacing over $5k. This Dealership had serviced all it's life. Toyota history (where I start my inspection) had no entry for wheel bearing service. Guess what, it only needed a wheel wheels balanced and wheel bearing service. The front end was in perfect condition otherwise. The other stuff it needed wasn't even listed.

Toyota/Lexus history and history of work done by others is very helpful starting place. I use that info in pre & post inspection as areas to pay special attention too. So often they've botched the job and I need to redo.

I could keep listing this kind of stuff, but you get the idea.

If Phil has had a good experience with Camelback, I'd trust his judgment. But I'd also ask for same tech!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Camelback does more Land Cruiser service than most from 40's to 200's

The 80 series in the background has a Safari turbo charged engine built by the dealership.

 

[2001LC]

Impressive collection for one shop at the same time. What do they call that "cruiser corner"!

Only place I see that many Cruiser in one shop at a time around here is Slee Off road, which I would recommend.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Impressive collection for one shop at the same time. What do they call that "cruiser corner"!

Only place I see that many Cruiser in one shop at a time around here is Slee Off road, which I would recommend.

Cruiser side early in the morning @murf. The service parking lot is well represented with 40,60,62,80,100,200 and FJC at all times.

The blue 80 is getting a complete engine rebuild in house.

 

[medtro]

Camelback does more Land Cruiser service than most from 40's to 200's

The 80 series in the background has a Safari turbo charged engine built by the dealership.

This corner looks very familiar.

 

[Cohoman]

Hello all, new to this site. Currently own a 93 LC that my son drives daily. Looking to buy a 2013 LX 570 from a
dealer in Richardson, TX. I would like an experienced and knowledgeable cruiser to do a PPI, pre purchase inspection.
willing to reimburse for time, etc. Thanks, Cohoman