No service history
Discussion
The OH's colleague (23 year old girl) has asked me for some advice as she is not having any luck selling her car (56 1.4S Polo 5DR 39K). Having done a bit or research I suggested it was overpriced and then asked what kind of service history it had - she looked a bit sheepish and then proceeded to tell me she had never been into a garage for anything other than tyres (I don't think she really gets the concept of servicing).
Obviously it will need a full service and a cambelt, but I am just curious how this will affect it's value and what sort of "damage" not servicing a modern car for the first 40k would do? She has made the same mistake a lot of private sellers do (notwithstanding the lack of service history) by attempting to sell it for an unrealistic price - she now needs to sell as it needs tax/MOT and she no longer has anywhere to park it so I suspect she is in for a shock. It didn't help that she offered it to a VW dealer who didn't want it but suggested she advertise if for a stupidly high price.
ETA Any car dealers in that would like to venture a trade/private value?
Obviously it will need a full service and a cambelt, but I am just curious how this will affect it's value and what sort of "damage" not servicing a modern car for the first 40k would do? She has made the same mistake a lot of private sellers do (notwithstanding the lack of service history) by attempting to sell it for an unrealistic price - she now needs to sell as it needs tax/MOT and she no longer has anywhere to park it so I suspect she is in for a shock. It didn't help that she offered it to a VW dealer who didn't want it but suggested she advertise if for a stupidly high price.
ETA Any car dealers in that would like to venture a trade/private value?
Edited by tim0409 on Wednesday 7th December 11:39
Did she buy it new?
If not, how many miles on it when she bought it?
Can she contact VW and ask if they have any service history from previous owners.
Most modern cars have a dashboard warning when a service is needed or oil needs changing. Assuming she's had no warnings she might not have needed to do anything.
If not, how many miles on it when she bought it?
Can she contact VW and ask if they have any service history from previous owners.
Most modern cars have a dashboard warning when a service is needed or oil needs changing. Assuming she's had no warnings she might not have needed to do anything.
christofmccracke said:
Service it and change the cam belt and it will sell in my opinion
This ^^^^ plus someone prepared to lie through their teeth and say that it has had oil changes, air filter changes, plug changes etc, but done through a family friend, hence no stamps in service book and no receipts.It's still a relatively new polo with relatively low mileage with a fairly frugal engine. People will buy it, but way below book price.
She bought it as ex-demo with the help of her dad - she then moved up to Edinburgh from Norwich and has used it to run around edinburgh and frequent trips back home. She is a nice girl but does not have a clue about cars and I suspect it has just slipped through the net. Given the other thread about VAG cambelts I think this is the first thing she should do as well as a full service. The odd thing is she has looked after the car apart from servicing and it's a nice car in a good colour.
Deva Link said:
To get the cambelt, service and MOT it's going to cost, what, £600? and she's unlikely to get that back. Might be better to set a realistic price and just get shut of it.
This, someone like her who knows nothing about cars will buy it regardless. Thats assuming it doesnt sound like a bag of spanners when its turned on"servicing" cars under five years old is the biggest con in motoring.
the car in question is a 5 year old VW thats done 8K miles per year, or in other words, exactly what VW desigend the polo to do, a 10 mile commute each day and a day out at the weekend.... service history is irrelevant on a car like that becuase it shouldnt need servicing. providng the advisorys are done at the MoT it will be bombproof.
big complicated subarus yes, small simple volkswagens no.
the car in question is a 5 year old VW thats done 8K miles per year, or in other words, exactly what VW desigend the polo to do, a 10 mile commute each day and a day out at the weekend.... service history is irrelevant on a car like that becuase it shouldnt need servicing. providng the advisorys are done at the MoT it will be bombproof.
big complicated subarus yes, small simple volkswagens no.
pablo said:
"servicing" cars under five years old is the biggest con in motoring.
the car in question is a 5 year old VW thats done 8K miles per year, or in other words, exactly what VW desigend the polo to do, a 10 mile commute each day and a day out at the weekend.... service history is irrelevant on a car like that becuase it shouldnt need servicing. providng the advisorys are done at the MoT it will be bombproof.
big complicated subarus yes, small simple volkswagens no.
Yeah, I see where you're coming from but NO oil changes since bought? That can't be good shirley.the car in question is a 5 year old VW thats done 8K miles per year, or in other words, exactly what VW desigend the polo to do, a 10 mile commute each day and a day out at the weekend.... service history is irrelevant on a car like that becuase it shouldnt need servicing. providng the advisorys are done at the MoT it will be bombproof.
big complicated subarus yes, small simple volkswagens no.
People on Pistonheads care about service history, most buyers care more about colour and what wheels it has on.
Certainly at the trade level, the difference between a car with no history and one with full is no where near the cost of the servicing.
You'll have to pitch it a bit below examples with history but not that much (say, £500 at most) but it is the right type of car so will probably sell to the same sort of buyer as the current owner.
I don't think I'd do a cambelt on it, but 12 months MOT doesn't cost a lot and gives the buyer confidence in the car.
Certainly at the trade level, the difference between a car with no history and one with full is no where near the cost of the servicing.
You'll have to pitch it a bit below examples with history but not that much (say, £500 at most) but it is the right type of car so will probably sell to the same sort of buyer as the current owner.
I don't think I'd do a cambelt on it, but 12 months MOT doesn't cost a lot and gives the buyer confidence in the car.
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