"Service History"

[lukefreeman]

Would it put you off if:

You went to look at a car advertised as "Full service history"

It had 10 years worth of Service History
Then 3 years of current owner writing almost a diary entry for each service they performed, along with a copy of the receipts of consumables attached to each diary entry?

[Codswallop]

Not a problem, especially on a 13 year old car.

[TheGreatSoprendo]

No. How many 13 year old cars come with a full main dealer service history? Buy on condition at this age and if it sets your mind at rest, get it booked in for a service once you've bought it.

[ging84]

sounds like it's got a very full service history for the last 3 years atleast

how many main dealer service histories do we see which are nothing more than a bunch of oil change stamps which tell you nothing like when the coolant was changed or the brake fluid was last changed

[lukefreeman]

It's an Elise by the way.

Playing devils Advocate.......It's due an B service, which is around £250-£300. I can do the service for around £50-60 in genuine parts! Just seeing if people would be put off if I decided to sell in future.

[2DDav]

On a 3/4 year old car then possibly. On a 13 year old car, no not really (depending on what it is in fairness. A 13year old Ferrari then yes, a 13year old Golf then no).
With an old car its more about the current condition & drive etc. than it is a stamp in the paperwork. Only thing Id say would affect the value imo is no proof of a cambelt change at its appropriate time, as Id then be looking at doing that, but even then probably minimal affect.

[the_lone_wolf]

I'd be more concerned by the ten years of being serviced at a dealer than the three years of the owner who obviously cares greatly about how the car is maintained

But yeah, thirteen years old, if it's been abused it'll be a heap by now...

[MattyB_]

Depends on the person doing the servicing, if you get what I mean.

I could do the servicing on my car for the next 3 years - I'll even write you a nice little diary and stick some reciepts in - but I can guarantee you wouldn't want to buy it

[t400ble]

Wouldn't bother me at all in the slightest

[nickofh]

lukefreeman said:

Would it put you off if:

You went to look at a car advertised as "Full service history"

It had 10 years worth of Service History
Then 3 years of current owner writing almost a diary entry for each service they performed, along with a copy of the receipts of consumables attached to each diary entry?

This is pretty much what I do with our cars ( especially my impreza ) I do all the consumables myself and keep every invoice recording the date and mileage that I carried out the service. Only the major work is done by a decent independent garage ( like a timing belt ). I have had the cam belt done recently and I know exactly what part was used as I provide my own( contitech ) and coolant (prestone) too.

He would be ideal to buy off IMO

[anonymous-user]

servicing a car , oil fluids etc is a kids job.

brakes, belt etc maybe a garage but ask the guy questions, see how he responds give you an indication.

[ecsrobin]

Sounds good to me, like others have said it's an old car and sounds like an enthusiast has owned it.

[V8RX7]

That's what I do and I carry out the work a damn site more thoroughly than any garage so I'd happily buy off a similarly knowledgeable owner.

[swisstoni]

It would put me off to the extent that I would prefer one that did have FSH. If none were readily available then common sense prevails.
On the class of car you are looking at, however I'm afraid I would want FSH. They will be out there, possibly at higher prices. Your call.

[Motorrad]

lukefreeman said:

Would it put you off if:

You went to look at a car advertised as "Full service history"

It had 10 years worth of Service History
Then 3 years of current owner writing almost a diary entry for each service they performed, along with a copy of the receipts of consumables attached to each diary entry?

So they've provided receipts for the items they've changed themselves and otherwise it has some stamps that claim a garage has done something. I'd be inclined to believe the person who bought the parts than the businesses that have 'serviced' the car previously.

[TIGA84]

Almost the opposite to what you're asking, its obviously been well maintained by someone that cares.

I bought a £900 alfa 156 off a guy on here who worked as an engineer at MIRA - had a similar story. Early 97 car, never missed a beat.

[GreigM]

Big plus for me - as others have said, this means its had better care than one going through the dealers.

[Sensibleboy]

A competent DIYer is likely to give the car constant attention which keeps them sweet unlike a dealer serviced car which is likely to be ignored all year round until service time.

[dfen5]

Just bought a 16 y/o Rav4 winter hack with full main dealer history up to 10 y/o then local with receipts..

Needed water pump & timing belt, coolant change (had been mixed). Plugs hadn't been out for years. Pads worn, disks on the limit. Gearbox oil hadn't been touched/checked nor had the rest of the transmission so I had to replace 5th gear. Stripped & bled the brakes, again not been apart for years. Geometry is out but nothing major. Under tray hanging off due to snapped bolts that they never bothered fixing..

Service these days seems to mean changing the oil (if you're lucky) and writing down things that "look" worn.

Buying I'll spend a good 20-30 minutes going over/under any car I buy, and test drive it 20 minutes. If you're not 'mechanically minded' get it inspected.

[J4CKO]

Never, a car needs to be serviced by someone with a PHD in changing oil, it isnt like just anyone can let the old oil out and puts some fresh stuff in, its a complicated business servicing cars....

In answer to your question, I am probably more inclined to trust a knowledgeable owner that does his own servicing and knows the car rather than someone who just sends it in once a year, maintenance doesnt need to be done on one arbritary day a year, its a continous process.