Inspections

What inspections are available?
What is the difference between AIM Plus & AIM Budget inspections?
What is included in the Assured PLUS Inspection Service?
Can the Vehicle be inspected without a current MOT Certificate?
What areas can you carry out inspections?
Does the customer have to be present at the inspection?
Do you inspect within congestion charging zones?

Tests

What is not included in the tests?
How long does it take to have a test?
How long is the road test?
Can you check the engine?

Ordering and Post Inspection

If a problem arises after the inspection has been done?
How will the report be sent to me?
Why must I have the Vehicle Registration Number to proceed?
Do engineers work out of hours?
The car is more than 15yrs old, do you inspect it?
Can I book an appointment time for the engineer before paying?
When are you open?
Can I pay by cheque?
What cards do you accept?
Can I have a refund?
Are there any guarantees?
Will you do a discount on re-inspections to see if the seller has made the changes as a result of an initial inspection?
What vehicles do you NOT inspect?
Do you do imports?
Can you inspect disability cars?
Do AIM inspect Horse Boxes?
Do you inspect London Taxis?
Do you have the number I need to call for the DVLA?
Do you inspect vehicles over 3.5 tonnes

General Questions

What is the difference between a "grey import" and a "parallel import"?
Is there a direct number for AIM Bookings?
Is there a direct number for AIM Customer Services?
Years of the registrations?

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What inspections are available?top

AIM Assured PLUS and the AIM Assured BUDGET are pre-purchase or general inspection services. AIM specific inspections are for vehicles with issues regarding accident damage estimates or repairs, electrical or mechanical estimates and repairs or warranty issues.

What is the difference between AIM Plus & AIM Budget inspections?top

AIM Assured Budget is a 133 point check inspection which covers:

1. road worthiness
2. mechanical function
3. short road test - length subject to traffic and road conditions.

AIM Assured Plus is a 166 point check inspection which covers:

1. road worthiness
2. mechanical function
3. cosmetic appearance and accessories
4. full road test - length subject to traffic and road conditions

What is included in the Assured PLUS Inspection Service?top

The Assured Plus service includes everything that is in the Budget service plus:

• Body Exterior - Panel condition and alignment, paintwork, trim bumpers, soft top-operation and condition.
• Electrical checks - Mirrors, Heater/fan controls, Air Conditioning operation and an opinion is given regarding the condition and operation of the radio/cassette/CD/aerial, if fitted.
• Interior - Steering wheel, Seat upholstery, Carpets, Luggage/Door trim panels, door fittings/operation, Door seals hinges, Interior seals, Visors, Sun roof, Dash panel condition, Cigarette Lighter, Illumination lights.
• Suspension/steering - Corrosion protection.
• Other - Auto changes/kick down, 4WD operation, Steering effort, Hot restarting.
• Full road test written report.

Can you tell me more about the AIM Specific Inspection service?top

AIM Specific inspections are for vehicles with After Repair, Electrical, Mechanical, Paintwork, Accident Pre & Post repair issues and Warranty disputes. The AIM Specific is a visual inspection unless the customer wants a particular part looked at. If this is the case, the responsibility for arranging for this is at your own expense and liability and the engineer will then give his opinion. THE ENGINEER WILL NOT DISMANTLE ANY PARTS.

What is not included in the tests?top

Computerised operating systems, Satellite navigation testing and items that rely on microprocessors for their operation. Dismantling of any parts.

Can the Vehicle be inspected without a current MOT Certificate?top

If the vehicle does not have a current MOT certificate or in the opinion of the inspecting engineer the vehicle is un-roadworthy the road test will not be carried out. There is no refund due if this part of the inspection is not able to be carried out.

How long does it take to have a test?top

The engineer will call the vendor as soon as possible to arrange a time that is mutually convenient. Most inspections are carried out within 3 working days, subject to any problems/issues being raised by the location of vehicle. Specific inspections are arranged at a mutually convenient time to all parties.

How long is the road test?top

Dependent on location and engineer's judgment.

Why must I have the Vehicle Registration Number to proceed?top

We require the VRN to ensure that the make and model are correct so as to ensure that the price quoted for the inspection is correct.

Do engineers work out of hours?top

It is dependant upon location and engineer availabilty

Does the customer have to be present at the inspection?top

No. Our engineer will arrange inspection details with the vendor (or the garage).

If a problem arises after the inspection has been done ?top

If the engineer didn't notice a problem put your concerns in writing to AIM Vehicle Inspections, 23 – 29 Albion Place, Maidstone, Kent ME14 5DY where the issues will be investigated. If the engineer was negligent further action will be taken.

The car is more than 15yrs old, do you inspect it?top

Yes, we will inspect the vehicle regardless of age.

What areas can you carry out inspections?top

We only perform inspections in England, Scotland and Wales (except postcodes SA14 and above). We do not perform inspections on off shore islands or in Northern Ireland.

Do you inspect within congestion charging zones?top

Yes we do but the payment for any congestion charges due for the vehicle being inspected and the engineer's vehicle is your responsibility and will be charged appropriately.

Can you check the engine?top

We only provide a visual inspection and can not dismantle any parts. In many situations the experienced engineers will be able to tell you of any problems from the visual inspection, the sound of the engine and the road test.

Can I book an appointment time for the engineer before paying?top

This cannot be done. The engineer will call the vendor as soon as possible to arrange a time that is mutually convenient. Most inspections are carried out within 3 working days, subject to no problems being raised by the location of vehicle

Is there a direct number for AIM Bookings?top

0800-043-4300

Is there a direct number for AIM Customer Services?top

0870-042-8520

When are you open?top

Customer services - Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm, Saturday 12noon- 4pm. Bookings - available 24 hours.

Can I pay by cheque?top

We do not accept cheques from any customers at this time.

What cards do you accept?top

Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Delta, Maestro, Diners, Laser, Electron, and Lastschriften (ELV)

How will the report be sent to me?top

Our reports are emailed attachments and are sent in secure PDF format. If you are unable to open these documents ADOBE Acrobat is available as a free download from the internet to enable this at www.adobe.com

Can I have a refund?top

Pre-purchase Inspections:
In the event of cancellation, a charge of £70 will be retained. Should that cancellation take place within 24 hours of the commencement of the date of the arranged inspection the charge will be increased to £130. The balance of your original payment will then be refunded to your credit card account.

Specific inspections:
In the event of cancellation a charge of £50 will be retained. Should the cancellation take place within 24 hours of the commencement of the date of the arranged inspection the charge will be increased to £110. The balance of your original payment will then be refunded to your credit card account.

Are there any guarantees?top

No this Inspection confirms the condition of the vehicle at the time of inspection.

Will you do a discount on re-inspections to see if the seller has made the changes as a result of an initial inspection?top

Yes, a re-inspection will be 50% of the initial inspection price.

What vehicles do you NOT inspect?top

• Vehicle in excess of 3.5 tonnes
• Refrigerated units and bodywork, body tipping gear, Tail lifts.
• Motor home habitation areas.

Do you do imports?top

Yes, If the import is registered in the UK and is recognised in the UK.

Can you inspect disability cars?top

Yes as long as they don't have disability controls.

Do AIM inspect Horse Boxes?top

No, But the Institute Of Automotive Engineers do. Their contact no. is: 01543 266906.

Do you inspect London Taxis?top

Yes, we do

Years of the registrations?top

Old registrations

A - 01 August 1983 31 July 1984
B - 01 August 1984 31 July 1985
C - 01 August 1985 31 July 1986
D - 01 August 1986 31 July 1987
E - 01 August 1987 31 July 1988
F - 01 August 1988 31 July 1989
G - 01 August 1989 31 July 1990
H - 01 August 1990 31 July 1991
J - 01 August 1991 31 July 1992
K - 01 August 1992 31 July 1993
L - 01 August 1993 31 July 1994
M - 01 August 1994 31 July 1995
N - 01 August 1995 31 July 1996
P - 01 August 1996 31 July 1997
R - 01 August 1997 31 July 1998
S - 01 August 1998 28 February 1999
T - 01 March 1999 31 July 1999
V - 01 August 1999 28 February 2000
W - 01 March 2000 31 July 2000
X - 01 August 2000 28 February 2001
Y - 01 March 2001 31 July 2001

NEW REGISTRATIONS

51	Aug 2001	To	Mar 2002
02	Mar 2002	To	Sep 2002
52	Sep 2002	To	Mar 2003
03	Mar 2003	To	Sep 2003
53	Sep 2003	To	Mar 2004
04	Mar 2004	To	Sep 2004
54	Sep 2004	To	Mar 2005
05	Mar 2005	To	Sep 2005
55	Sep 2005	To	Mar 2006
06	Mar 2006	To	Sep 2006
65	Sep 2006	To	Mar 2007

Do you have the number I need to call for the DVLA?top

Yes, 0870 240 0010

What is the difference between a "grey import" and a "parallel import"?top

A "grey import" is a vehicle which has been built to a non European specification and is therefore, not EU Type Approved, for example a car built for the Japanese home market. A "parallel import" refers to right-hand drive vehicles purchased from abroad, built to EU type Approval and therefore compatible with UK specification.

Do you inspect vehicles over 3.5 tonnestop

No.