"Full Service History"
Discussion
bakerstreet said:
If you walk away from a car because it hasn't got every single item of papaerwork, then I think you are limiting your self.
Yep - I fully agree here.And really - whilst it's nice to have, who really gives a s
t about a £200 service that took place 8 or 9 years ago.However when looking at residual value (firstly IF this concerns you and secondly, determined by the tier of purchase cost) you'd be wise to consider peoples fears of "not" having a service history!
A little contradiction there I appreciate
- but really the condition speaks more about how a car's been looked after. Just one example would be that you should never by a Jag with a dirty, crappy or worn interior.G.
Edited by Gallen on Friday 17th July 13:37
We ran a 2001 Polo until recently. The guy I bought it from had it from new and kept every shred of history, as I would. The history folder was quite thick so I produced a summary spreadsheet in xl, a photo of which I included in the ad when I sold the car. It went to the first caller who I am convinced had decided to buy the car before they arrived.
A couple of loose interpretations I've been to look at:
Car 1: Private seller, assured me there was a FSH. The service book had one stamp (1st service from about 6-7 years before) but there was an encouraging stack of main dealer paperwork. These turned out to be parts receipts for things like wiper blades and tyre valves.
Car 2: Dealer, assured me there was FSH. When I got there it had a service book and no receipts. On closer inspection the service book had no stamp to say who supplied the car when new and no information specific to that car (e.g. VIN, etc). Oh, and the cover was covered in overspray! Inside were a series of stamps for a backstreet garage. The mileages on the service stamps in no way corresponded with the MOT mileages. I'm pretty sure the MOT mileages were genuine and the dealer had just bought a blank book and created a service history for the car but was too lazy to make a proper job of it.
I actually bought both
although I knocked a compensatory amount off the previously agreed price and basically viewed them as zero history cars. In both cases, I just needed a car quickly. Neither was great but nor were they total moneypits.
Car 1: Private seller, assured me there was a FSH. The service book had one stamp (1st service from about 6-7 years before) but there was an encouraging stack of main dealer paperwork. These turned out to be parts receipts for things like wiper blades and tyre valves.
Car 2: Dealer, assured me there was FSH. When I got there it had a service book and no receipts. On closer inspection the service book had no stamp to say who supplied the car when new and no information specific to that car (e.g. VIN, etc). Oh, and the cover was covered in overspray! Inside were a series of stamps for a backstreet garage. The mileages on the service stamps in no way corresponded with the MOT mileages. I'm pretty sure the MOT mileages were genuine and the dealer had just bought a blank book and created a service history for the car but was too lazy to make a proper job of it.
I actually bought both
although I knocked a compensatory amount off the previously agreed price and basically viewed them as zero history cars. In both cases, I just needed a car quickly. Neither was great but nor were they total moneypits.Edited by Risotto on Friday 17th July 14:33
justanother5tar said:
When I view a car, I just go on condition and how well it looks like its been maintained. Quality parts, matching decent brand tyres etc.
FSH is often a complete lie, and is very rarely manufacturers history anyway so could very easily be an eBay stamp and one oil change in 50k.
Whilst its nice to have, I don't think it should put you off. Have a thorough look around the car, take a mechanic etc. Possibly have it checked over after you've bought it if you're still worried.
I agree that condition is the main thing. However, my view is that if someone truly is looking after their car then they'll have it serviced by someone on time and get the book stamped. It's not much to ask. Lying about it in the advert is just pointless IMO.FSH is often a complete lie, and is very rarely manufacturers history anyway so could very easily be an eBay stamp and one oil change in 50k.
Whilst its nice to have, I don't think it should put you off. Have a thorough look around the car, take a mechanic etc. Possibly have it checked over after you've bought it if you're still worried.
I'm not advocating a main dealer FSH over anything else but at least do it on time.
False service history?
I have, in the past looked at cars with main dealer stamped history, and asked the seller if I can phone dealer to confirm, seller said yes.
I called dealer, told them I was looking at buying a car with service history from them, gave them the reg and they confirmed service history.
I have, in the past looked at cars with main dealer stamped history, and asked the seller if I can phone dealer to confirm, seller said yes.
I called dealer, told them I was looking at buying a car with service history from them, gave them the reg and they confirmed service history.
If buying a three year old car then three stamps in the book from the supplying dealer is fine and counts as FSH. But buying a 6-7 year plus car advertised with FSH unless it's low mileage and all main dealer then it's not worth paying a premium for unless those stamps in the book are backed up by plenty of invoices for work done.
Don't get me wrong, I would buy a car without any history, but only for the right price.
Don't get me wrong, I would buy a car without any history, but only for the right price.
I've seen a few examples of "service history" which didn't add up. A friend went to purchase an M3 privately, we checked the book and the stamps for the previous 3 services were from the same non BMW garage. The vendor told us there was no point calling because they had gone bust, when we asked for the receipts he had lost them. I think that's downright fraud but it didn't matter to the vendor "cos it's an M3 innit bruv". We walked away.
However, Mazda these days (or since 2010 I think) don't have service books that are stamped, the whole service history is held at the Main Dealer, all you get as a customer is a sheet of printed A4 with the services done and the next scheduled one. not great if you decide to have it done privately.
Anyway, as mentioned numerous times, a wedge of paperwork for work done and evidence of a well looked after car in my eyes mitigates perhaps one or two missed services, especially if the mileage is lower than average anyway.
However, Mazda these days (or since 2010 I think) don't have service books that are stamped, the whole service history is held at the Main Dealer, all you get as a customer is a sheet of printed A4 with the services done and the next scheduled one. not great if you decide to have it done privately.
Anyway, as mentioned numerous times, a wedge of paperwork for work done and evidence of a well looked after car in my eyes mitigates perhaps one or two missed services, especially if the mileage is lower than average anyway.
Always condition.
In fact I avoid cambelt cars for situations whereby they state work is done and it's not.
But actually id either rather buy a car with everything evidently done OR tyres need changing discs and pads fubar brake fluid coolant and fluid changes all needing doing straight away (negotiate that off the price and get it done straight away)
In fact I avoid cambelt cars for situations whereby they state work is done and it's not.
But actually id either rather buy a car with everything evidently done OR tyres need changing discs and pads fubar brake fluid coolant and fluid changes all needing doing straight away (negotiate that off the price and get it done straight away)
I'm in the U.S. At the moment. Yesterday was looking at chopping the Harley for a new one. Here they don't give a damn about history. All they want is 'clean title' and the title document. Stack of bills - waste of time.
Same again with the boat - sold one a couple of years ago with every scrap of paperwork since new including $3 parts. New owner wasn't interested (this wasn't a $5,000 st-heap either).
Difficult to get your head around, but I guess a nice attitude to take!
Same again with the boat - sold one a couple of years ago with every scrap of paperwork since new including $3 parts. New owner wasn't interested (this wasn't a $5,000 s
t-heap either).Difficult to get your head around, but I guess a nice attitude to take!
Buy older cars on condition, new cars with history.
I bought an older car about 18 months ago with full service history and a massive wadge of receipts, when I actually looked through them the amount of money which had been spent on a £800 car was amazing, and I wish I hadnt known really. Had obviously had problems before (head skim etc), and Im pretty sure it was a repeat of one of those problems which killed it 10,000 later.
With new cars, longer service intervals, more complex systems, you want to know they've been done right and on time. I appreciate FSH doesnt promise either, but its more encouraging than a bloke saying hes done it in his shed.
I bought an older car about 18 months ago with full service history and a massive wadge of receipts, when I actually looked through them the amount of money which had been spent on a £800 car was amazing, and I wish I hadnt known really. Had obviously had problems before (head skim etc), and Im pretty sure it was a repeat of one of those problems which killed it 10,000 later.
With new cars, longer service intervals, more complex systems, you want to know they've been done right and on time. I appreciate FSH doesnt promise either, but its more encouraging than a bloke saying hes done it in his shed.
justanother5tar said:
When I view a car, I just go on condition and how well it looks like its been maintained. Quality parts, matching decent brand tyres etc.
FSH is often a complete lie, and is very rarely manufacturers history anyway so could very easily be an eBay stamp and one oil change in 50k.
Whilst its nice to have, I don't think it should put you off. Have a thorough look around the car, take a mechanic etc. Possibly have it checked over after you've bought it if you're still worried.
I love the "must have FSH or I'll walk" posse.FSH is often a complete lie, and is very rarely manufacturers history anyway so could very easily be an eBay stamp and one oil change in 50k.
Whilst its nice to have, I don't think it should put you off. Have a thorough look around the car, take a mechanic etc. Possibly have it checked over after you've bought it if you're still worried.
It means I can buy a better car for less money.
St John Smythe said:
Full service history is stamped book AND receipts/invoices. Just a stamped book by itself doesn't count.
AgreeI went to view a car at an indie once. He showed me the service book which had six identical stamps with mileage written in and all signed in identical handwriting but using different biros, dates we almost one year apart. No other documents. Very fishy.
Getting back to the OP's search for a non-mainstream, non-'white goods' car - Type R or S2000.
My advice would be to buy from an enthusiast (probably via a dedicated specialist internet forum) and when the time comes, sell to an enthusiast via the same medium. With the odd exception the cars seem to be better serviced & maintained and often at much better, more realistic, prices than elsewhere. The private car adverts on these forums can be disarmingly honest at times, I guess because the vendors know they're pitching their ad at a knowledgeable and discriminating audience who will shoot down in flames any ad containing a load of dishonest/overblown guff.
The FSH bks that gets bandied around in most car ads elsewhere is really irritating since it's just basically about fluids and filters and little else. Changing fluids and filters is important but there's much more besides required if a car is to be reliable and perform in the way intended by the manufacturer, more so as the car ages. Car enthusiasts are hopeless romantics and will lavish many ££££s on their cars over & above the pretty limited scope of the manufacturer's service schedule.
My advice would be to buy from an enthusiast (probably via a dedicated specialist internet forum) and when the time comes, sell to an enthusiast via the same medium. With the odd exception the cars seem to be better serviced & maintained and often at much better, more realistic, prices than elsewhere. The private car adverts on these forums can be disarmingly honest at times, I guess because the vendors know they're pitching their ad at a knowledgeable and discriminating audience who will shoot down in flames any ad containing a load of dishonest/overblown guff.
The FSH b
ks that gets bandied around in most car ads elsewhere is really irritating since it's just basically about fluids and filters and little else. Changing fluids and filters is important but there's much more besides required if a car is to be reliable and perform in the way intended by the manufacturer, more so as the car ages. Car enthusiasts are hopeless romantics and will lavish many ££££s on their cars over & above the pretty limited scope of the manufacturer's service schedule.texaxile said:
A friend went to purchase an M3 privately, we checked the book and the stamps for the previous 3 services were from the same non BMW garage. The vendor told us there was no point calling because they had gone bust, when we asked for the receipts he had lost them. I think that's downright fraud but it didn't matter to the vendor "cos it's an M3 innit bruv". We walked away.
I had the same from a dealer - it was an MG so the dealer going bust isn't exactly surprising.I got the previous keepers details and gave them a call - had only had it serviced once in something like 4 year, buy his mate at his local garage, and even then I think it was just an oil change!
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