911spec

Buyer's brief

How to read a 911 listing like someone who has bought one before

A short, opinionated guide to the four checks that catch most problems: the listing itself, the option sheet, the conversation before an inspection, and the paperwork.

Evaluating a listing

  • Count the photos. A serious seller shows undersides, wheel faces, seat bolsters, engine bay and the door jamb sticker.
  • Read what is missing. No service records mentioned, no VIN, and no cold-start video are all signals worth a direct question.
  • Check the mileage against the wear. Pedal rubbers, steering wheel and driver's bolster should agree with the odometer.
  • Note how long it has been listed. A car sitting for months usually has a reason, often price, sometimes history.
  • Compare against three similar cars before forming a price opinion, matching generation, gearbox and mileage band.

Decoding the option sheet

  • Ask for a photo of the factory option sticker, usually in the front boot or service book.
  • Separate options that change how the car drives (gearbox, LSD, suspension, exhaust) from cosmetic ones.
  • Rare does not always mean desirable: ceramic brakes and full buckets narrow the buyer pool as often as they widen it.
  • Verify anything you are paying a premium for. A claimed Paint To Sample colour should appear on the build sheet.
  • Match the options against your own must-have list before you fall for the photos.

Questions before an inspection

  • Why are you selling, and how long have you owned it?
  • Has any panel been repainted or replaced, and can I see paint depth readings?
  • When was the last major service, and which specialist carried it out?
  • Are there any warning lights, stored fault codes or known oil leaks?
  • Will you support a prepurchase inspection at an independent specialist of my choosing?
  • Are both keys, the tool kit, the compressor and the original books present?

Verifying the documentation

  • Match the VIN on the title, the windscreen plate and the door jamb sticker.
  • Read the stamps and the invoices together. Stamps without invoices tell you very little.
  • Look for continuity: gaps of several years usually mean the car sat, which brings its own costs.
  • Confirm any outstanding finance or lien before money moves.
  • Keep every document you receive in your own file; you will want it when you sell.

Put it to work

Score the cars you are serious about against your own criteria, then compare the finalists side by side.

Browse inventory