Know what you are purchasing
Determining Mileage when buying an Engine or Gearbox
The suppliers of used parts should try and enlighten their customers as to what type of mileage the accident damaged vehicle had on the instrument cluster if the vehicle has not been stripped yet. Although most new vehicles have digital clocks nowadays it is hard to determine the amount of kilometers the vehicle has traveled in its day.
This is always a sore point when buying from a scrap yard or used parts dealer. The battery is always dead and the guys selling the engine or gearbox have no inclination whatsoever to fit a battery with spark and check for mileage, but most don’t mind if you have a try under their supervision. It’s always clear to see if the wiring harness battery terminal has been severed. Sometimes the fire and rescue teams at the scene of an accident will cut the battery terminal to prevent an electrical short which can cause the vehicle to go up in flames, especially when there are injuries and a threat to life.
This has happened to the poor bloke towing the vehicle away from the scene of the accident who has had to contend with not only his tow job burning out but his tow truck also goes up in flames if he doesn’t have a suitable fire extinguisher! This guy did.
If you are laying out big money and have your heart set on something then have a go at fitting a battery, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find on the instrument cluster kilometer reading if it all comes to light. But you can usually tell what sort of k’s a vehicle has done.
Kilometers vs Rands When Buying 2nd Hand Parts
I always put a little pressure on the used part salesman over the phone in this way when it comes to buying an expensive gearbox or engine, it’s a big sale for them and for you, and knowing in your heart if the kilo’s are low, like 55000 km’s on a late model Mercedes Benz ML 500 for example, you’ve got a great deal and must seriously not waste any time because those engines and gearboxes fly out the shop within a week. You could be looking at an engine with 155000 km’s on the clock! Generally you pay a bit more for the newer stuff with the least kilo’s. If the particular engine or gearbox you are purchasing is complete with the turbo charger, turbo intercooler, wiring harness and computer boxes etc. and have suffered little damage, especially when the vehicle has been rolled and not been in a head on collision, you have found an absolute gem.
Insurance assessors write these accident damage vehicles off and then they land up back on the road? I always like to punt on the ones still in the twisted vehicle. An engine or gearbox on the floor is like a horse with no name. Unless proof can be produced, steer clear of these items unless you are buying for resale purposes only. Always make sure that the engine at least turns over and check for excessive rust, some vehicles can stand in the rain for weeks at a time without any cover to the engine components that have been damaged and water will find its way in, and this will result in a complete engine rebuild.
One thing is for sure, the kilo’s on most cars are stamped and registered on the service book and computer database and can always be tracked back to the dealership where it was serviced. This would take some doing, so long as you’ve got the time and resources to do the spadework. If you are buying for keeps look for the number plate number or check for the number on the licence disc, then do it, as this exercise will allow you to sleep better at night.
