I am looking for a mini which could mean having to buy something from another state. I just wondered what other people do when buying from interstate with regards viewing cars, inspection and moving cars interstate and all that Jazz!! How much information is reasonable to ask for before you fly out, any specific details people ask for. Is it reasonable to ask seller to take car to a garage to get it inspected, if doing this is it best to find a place that specialises in mini's ? If you have to fly up so cant take your tool box, will owners provide tools for basic inspection ? Any other useful tips would be great.

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1972 Leyland Mini Clubman
2000 Honda CBR929RR

Certainly, if the owner was amenable I would have a known Mini shop inspect (roadworthy) the car, wit ha view to the non roadworthy items of concern like the engine condition,general wear and tear and confirmation of claims of particular items fitted to the car. It may cost you 150 or 200 dollars to have this done, and the sellers time to get the car to a place to be inspected, but its money well spent especially if you're just getting into minis. You have to expect there will be things you will miss and things that are usual on a 34 to 54 year old car.

It used to be a very standard thing to get a RAC inspection done on Minis years ago, but with them moving out of common street use, it becomes a little more difficult.

There's a stack of businesses in each state though which deal with minis, check out the list of Mini Businesses in the How To to find one to do the inspection for you.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

There are company's that advertise on gumtree that will do inspections for you. Certainly skype of FaceTime the seller so you can have a good look over the car and hear it run etc.

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1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S

Do all the checks that you can. I bought a car sight unseen. Advertsed as in very good condition as it was reconditioned by a well known Mini business. Well when it arrived I was very disappointed to say the least.

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The bitterness of poor quality (or Crappy Workmanship) remains LONG AFTER the Sweet Taste of Low Price is forgotten.

i went through this dilemma, with anything good but reasonably priced being snapped up quickly and understandably the seller was going to move it to the first who upped the readies... it seems there are quite a few stories of sellers being mucked around by people who just want to get to the front of the queue but then don't have the cash...sellers holding it and probably losing REAL buyers in the interim. In the end ,to buy, i chose to offer a holding deposit ($300) which kept it until i could inspect (in my case an airfare to Sydney) and if i didn't go through with the deal, the seller kept the deposit. if i bought it,(and i did) the price was off the total.... so seller got the agreed price.... i have been very lucky to have dealt with reputable sellers....(and there are still lots around but on two occasions both sellers told of a number of prospective buyers trying to get them to reneg on the deal with me(ie offer a bit more or give a bigger deposit) ( and i might add these underhanded souls( kind words) are fellowausmini members, so no love is lost in the quest for a good car. So best of luck... just on another note.. it does seem funny that lots of cars end up changing hands from Victoria to QLd or whatever and each state thinks it is hard to find good minis in their own back yard....

I have had the same experience, turned out to be one of the biggest pieces of shite I have ever had the misfortune of owning.

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1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S

A mate & I bought both our minis from interstate sight unseen off Gumtree (we are both mechanics) & the transporter we used has offered to pay on our behalf after a pre-purchase inspection by himself but because both our cars are projects we were expecting the worst when they turned up, but the cars were exactly as the sellers described & we were quite happy with that. So there are quite a few honest sellers still about.

Cheers Brad

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During the day I work on English designed cars & on my own time I work on English designed cars....

i do checks from time to time for VIP automotive solutions, last one was a very rough resto of an FC wagon

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?