Getting C5 inspected - steering rack concerns

[faddy]

Thought I'd put this in a new thread but as mentioned elsewhere I've been today to look at a low mileage 58 reg C5 which SHMBO has fallen in love with. Concerned though about all the reports of steering rack failures in early Mk 3 C5s. Would it be worth my while getting it inspected by the likes of Scotia, RAC, AA/Dekra (Honest John suggests the first two are better than the third)? Can they be "instructed" to look at specific issues such as the steering rack?

Presumably if they gave the steering rack the all clear there's no guarantee it won't fail in a year or two? Seller is promising to put 12 months MOT on it. Would an MOT pick up the steering rack issue if present?

[bobins]

For starters - have a look at this thread I started earlier in the year :
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57734

[osx]

Waste of money. Better take it to the garage where you are planning to service the car and ask them to check.

[Sloppysod]

.................or look underneath and is the sub-frame or any of the suspension/steering parts are shinny and wet (steering wheel side), I suspect the rack is leaking. However, when mine went it was sudden, one week clean drive the next wet!! another quick check, look at the fluid levels, if the system is sealed then levels should be correct.