Pre-buy inspection...absolutely necessary?

[Lionudakis]

I have found (customers and mechanics alike) that the definition of a "pre-buy" varies greatly, any decent mechanic with or without IA can do a "pre-buy", if its clear what the objective is. Ive had guys that wanted an hour worth of nosing around to look at the 'meat and patatoes', and others who wanted every chip, scratch, ding  documented, others who had already paid and bought the airplane and was told its just something they should do with no regard or concern for anything I found (popped rivets on the spar!). FAR43 app (d) items is a good place to start, and add to it general condition of items. Its all an opportunity for discovery, and unless major, can be used to bargain with.

A refered or trusted mech is prob more important than where they work or work on the most, with an agenda and/or clear objective.

I did the first 100hr on a cessna months after a purchase (which included a fresh annual and pre-buy by a cessna service center), the aircraft was scrapped and I disassembled it for transport. 

 

[DrBill]

Skyking and I agree.  Get a prebuy from someone who does not maintain the A/C.  Mine cost $300.  If 9mos since last annual you can move it to an annual if you go ahead with the buy.  Depending on the year. SB208 is at the top of my list.

Good Luck..  First good thing... you joined this...

BILL

 

[DrBill]

Skyking and I agree.  Get a prebuy from someone who does not maintain the A/C.  Mine cost $300.  If 9mos since last annual you can move it to an annual if you go ahead with the buy.  Depending on the year. SB208 is at the top of my list.

Good Luck..  First good thing... you joined this...

BILL

 

[jetdriven]

In our case, the annual was due in 3 months as Bill was referring to. We asked the annaul as a  condition of the offer.  The prebuy mechanic was a mostly neutral 3rd party. he showed me everything I asked, and even some things I didnt think to ask.  The actual prebuy was mostly to chck rigging, pull a cylinder off to inspect the cam, and to inspect the spar and fuselage tubes  very carefully for corrosion.   He ended u ripping us off for about 1200$. Now I know what to look for, I may do this myself if buying another Mooney.