Service intervals missed

Service intervals missed

Author
Discussion

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Friday 1st April 2016
quotequote all
Hi all.
I'm currently considering buying a low mileage T car (less than 12k in 11 years) but 6 years of history early in life is missing/not stamped.
The car is immaculate so in that regard I shouldn't be too concerned.
I guess low mileage cars end up that way due to extended periods of lay up and therfore owners not spending on garage servicing.
Should I largely ignore the service gaps and just buy on condition or should I throw caution to the wind? All servicing in the last 3 years is spot on.
Any similar experiences and comfort post purchase much appreciated!




clive f

7,250 posts

233 months

Friday 1st April 2016
quotequote all
why not phone the garage that have serviced the car the last 3 years and ask them about the car? assume its been serviced by a well known tvr place?

Milky400

1,960 posts

178 months

Saturday 2nd April 2016
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Wouldn't necessarily put me off, these cars sometimes get little use and as long as its current history is good and do what Clive says is go or it. Long lay ups aren't good for any car as seals dry and rubbers perish, but I would hope that if its been serviced and used in a more regular basis recently those issues will have been uncovered.

ray von

2,914 posts

252 months

Saturday 2nd April 2016
quotequote all
I wouldn't be too concerned that the missing services are years ago, it would be a different story if it hadn't been serviced for the last six years and you were viewing it.
If it's been serviced correctly in the last 3 years then any problems should have been picked up.
As Clive says get in contact with the garage that has done the last 3 services.

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Saturday 2nd April 2016
quotequote all
I've asked the recent servicing garage to inspect the car and they sold it to the recent owner, so that should help.

NeilC73

112 posts

143 months

Sunday 3rd April 2016
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I really wouldn't worry about it as long as it hasn't done many miles between the long break of servicing.

A £70k example which sold recently had a 5 year gap between services but the dealer described it as a "Sympathetic Service Record" !


a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Sunday 3rd April 2016
quotequote all
From the mot history it seems 4000 in 5 years.
I just need to track down the first owner who bought the car in 2005 and sold in 2011. Seem he put 4K on in the first 2 years then the same over 5 years. He could provide some insight. I have viewed and it's immaculate just a few minor cosmetic bits and pieces to tidy up and that's it. Inspection next week with any luck.


TVRinBFG

1,457 posts

284 months

Monday 4th April 2016
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It would put me off. I'd want to know what the recent servicing dealer says (which you're rightly doing); but I'd want a leakdown test doing.

TVR4US

163 posts

104 months

Monday 4th April 2016
quotequote all
If its the Mole Valley Saggy, its a lovely looking car, if you need to ask about Mole Valley please ask
:glowworm: who knows all about them...........

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Monday 4th April 2016
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The car in question is not a Sag and isn't advertised anywhere. Sags are too rich for me unfortunately!


julianc

1,984 posts

259 months

Monday 4th April 2016
quotequote all
TVRinBFG said:
It would put me off. I'd want to know what the recent servicing dealer says (which you're rightly doing); but I'd want a leakdown test doing.
It would put me off as well. If the owner couldn't be bothered servicing the car (if indeed it hasn't been serviced, of course), how do you that the car hasn't been thrashed?

mycroft

1,545 posts

247 months

Monday 4th April 2016
quotequote all
Whats the worst that could happen , take it on its better that someone buys it and drives it .
Oh ? unless it goes bang scratchchin
So have you got funds to do a rebuild or could you afford to take a hit selling a broken car .
Nobody on here can tell you its going to be ok , good cars have problems too .
If you buy it and keep it for a few years and put another three or four service stamps on it the early history will be irrelevant. IMHO. smile
Good Luck, if you do buy it there is a very good chance you wont regret it .

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Monday 4th April 2016
quotequote all
The biggest unknown to me is the overall engine condition. It sounded fine to me relative to other T cars I have owned, however, i'm no expert. Compression/leak down tests and general inspection are all going ahead this week.

Rocco1

3,081 posts

183 months

Monday 4th April 2016
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a1butch said:
The biggest unknown to me is the overall engine condition. It sounded fine to me relative to other T cars I have owned, however, i'm no expert. Compression/leak down tests and general inspection are all going ahead this week.
It wouldn't bother me
Good luck hope all goes to plan

m3jappa

6,421 posts

218 months

Friday 8th April 2016
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Potentially no big deal. My Tuscan was last serviced in June 2013. 13-14 I did about 1000 miles. 14-15 I did about 500 miles at the beginning of the year, the last year it's not been driven and sat covered in the garage.
This year it will get a full 12k service. Car is tip top smile

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Monday 11th April 2016
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Inspection is now done and the car was given a clean bill of health.

SPS

1,306 posts

260 months

Monday 11th April 2016
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Go on - spoil yourself.
I purchased a T350 4 years ago and just can't bring myself to part with it, and I have had some pretty good offers for it too.

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Monday 11th April 2016
quotequote all
I'm pretty chuffed about this car TBH. I've owned a T350 and Tamora in the past but condition-wise, this Tamora is in a different league.
Collection is scheduled for Saturday with a 400 mile journey home. If nothing else my long venture home should clean out the pipes as the car has covered less in the whole proceeding year.