Summary terms · a signed engagement governs each job
Terms of engagement
A plain summary of what you are buying and what you are not. Each inspection is also governed by a signed engagement letter, which is the document that actually binds both of us.
1. What an inspection is
We carry out a visual, functional and dimensional inspection of a specific machine at a specific place and time, and issue a written condition report grading it against our published standard. The report describes the machine as we found it on that day.
2. What an inspection is not
- It is not a certification. We are not an accredited certification body and we do not certify machines. We inspect and grade. The word “certified” does not appear on our reports.
- It is not a warranty or a guarantee of condition, performance, remaining life or fitness for any purpose.
- It is not advice to buy or not to buy. We state condition and cost. The purchase decision is yours alone.
- It is not a forecast. We do not predict how long a component will last. Where we give a wear rate it is arithmetic on measurements taken, labelled as such.
- It is not a statutory valuation unless you have engaged us specifically for a valuation opinion.
3. Scope and limits
The inspection is non-invasive. Nothing is dismantled. Internal condition of engines, pumps, final drives and gearboxes is assessed only by external indication — behaviour, noise, temperature, fluids, cycle times and blowby. Welds are assessed visually and by magnet; no non-destructive testing is carried out unless separately arranged.
Every report states its own limits on the report itself, including anything the site conditions prevented us from checking. Where the machine was warm on arrival, the report records that start condition could not be assessed. Our reports say “no defects observed within the limits stated” rather than “no problems found”, because the absence of an observation is not the absence of a defect.
4. Access and conditions
- You are responsible for arranging site access and the owner's consent for the inspection.
- The machine must be cold — nothing run on the day before our arrival.
- The owner's operator, not our inspector, operates the machine during function tests.
- Where access, weather or site conditions prevent part of the protocol, that is recorded on the report rather than worked around.
5. Fees and payment
- Fees are payable in full in advance. No inspection is scheduled before the fee is received.
- All fees are exclusive of GST, which is charged separately where applicable.
- One reschedule is free where the machine or the operator is unavailable. A second no-show forfeits the fee.
- The full report is released on payment. A free summary may be provided before.
- Brokerage, where engaged, is due on any buyer introduced by us to you in writing who completes within six months, whether or not the sale ran through us.
6. Independence and disclosure
We hold no stock and take no title to machines. Where we have any interest on the other side of a transaction — brokerage mandate, introduction fee, or any other benefit — we disclose it to you in writing before the inspection is carried out, not after. Where a lender pays us for a finance introduction, we tell you that too.
7. The grade
The overall grade is the lowest grade of any major system and is never an average. The grade is not negotiable by any party, including us. Our inspectors hold a written right to refuse instruction on the content of a report.
8. Reliance and confidentiality
A report is prepared for the party who commissioned it and for the specific transaction described. It should not be relied on by anyone else or for any other transaction without our written agreement, and it describes the machine only as at the date of inspection.
We do not discuss your machine, your price or your reasons with anyone else. The corridor is small and discretion is part of what you are buying.
9. Liability
We carry out the inspection with reasonable skill and care. Our liability in respect of any inspection is limited to the fee paid for that inspection, save where liability cannot be limited by law. We are not liable for the condition of the machine, for the conduct of any buyer or seller, or for any decision you take having read the report.
10. Complaints and disputes
If you believe a report is wrong, tell us in writing within 30 days of receiving it, with your reasons. We will re-examine the finding and, where a second inspection is warranted, arrange one. If we were wrong we will say so in writing and correct the record.
11. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of India, and the courts at Hyderabad have jurisdiction.
These are summary terms for information. The signed engagement letter for each job is the operative document; where the two differ, the signed engagement governs. Last updated for the current version of this site — if you need the engagement letter before booking, ask and we will send it. Contact: info@machinegrade.in.