Brian T

The RAC inspection isn't worth s**t

DeeplyDisappointed I recently visited Carbase after placing a deposit on a red 2012 Nissan Qashqai, advertised as a 2-owner car with a full RAC inspection, comprehensive checks, and a road test. Based on this and their reputation, I expected a car in genuinely good condition. What I found was shocking. The bodywork was covered in dents, scratches, and stone chips on virtually every panel. The rear quarter had clearly had a poor-quality respray, and all the alloys needed refurbishing. The tailgate was so badly damaged it looked beyond saving, and the Qashqai badge had been stuck back on after a bodged repair—there was super glue smeared around it. Even before driving it, the car looked extremely rough—certainly not something you’d expect to see on the forecourt of a dealer asking well above market value. Unfortunately, the test drive was no better. The clutch was biting very high and was clearly nearing the end of its life. Worse still, before I even reached 20mph, the car was wobbling dangerously all over the road, and the steering wheel was misaligned with the wheels. I came here thinking that paying a premium price at an established dealer, complete with RAC inspections, would guarantee at least a decent vehicle. This car wasn’t worth half of what they were asking. If you’re considering buying from Carbase, I strongly recommend you look very closely at any vehicle in person and don’t rely on their inspections or assurances. My experience was a complete waste of time and left me very disappointed.