I couldn't agree more, I am fortunate like many others on LZ to have mechanical knowledge and have on many occasions helped friends to avoid buying a Lemon from private and trade sellers, it's no good pretending to know what your doing and kick tyres, it's even worse if you put all your trust in a dealer who only wants your money, and will say anything to close a deal.More to the point, do you know what you're looking for when buying any Landy ? If you don't you HAVE to take someone with you who really does. As above there are various models that all have different things to look at which is even more reason to know what you're looking at.
Dead easy to buy a wrong'un mate, easiest thing in the world....