Is this service history good?
Discussion
Hi all,
This is my first (second?) post on PistonHeads, and I'm wondering if the people on here would be able to help.
I've been taking driving lessons (automatic-only), and I've managed to get a relatively cheap car to be taught in with a family member who has been driving for 30 years.
It's a 2006 Renault Clio @ around 83000 miles - I believe an MK3 - and its a 1.6L Petrol, Automatic.
It's been alright in the ~week or so I've had it (bar the heater blower not working at all) but I've heard mixed things about the engine and it's reliability. Combined with the slightly alarming (to me) service history, I'm a little concerned. I've had a few people say it's a perfectly fine engine, while others seem a bit alarmed.
On a fair few MOTs, it's been reported to have an oil leak, of which it supposedly stems from the transmission. It has also been recovered from a housing estate after it broke down due to overheating.
The other bit that worries me is that the last time it was recorded as having its cambelt done was in 2011, assuming there hasn't been any other services on it. As far as I know (which isnt much), the cambelt is important to replace, as if it snaps, its game over.
I'm getting it serviced by a local mechanic on Tuesday, which I'm hoping will give it a bit of love it might need.
Unfortunately I only know little bits and pieces about cars, so I'm not 100% sure if I have the terminology correct, or if I have missed anything. I'm more than happy to share MOT histories or anything like that.
Thank you
This is my first (second?) post on PistonHeads, and I'm wondering if the people on here would be able to help.
I've been taking driving lessons (automatic-only), and I've managed to get a relatively cheap car to be taught in with a family member who has been driving for 30 years.
It's a 2006 Renault Clio @ around 83000 miles - I believe an MK3 - and its a 1.6L Petrol, Automatic.
It's been alright in the ~week or so I've had it (bar the heater blower not working at all) but I've heard mixed things about the engine and it's reliability. Combined with the slightly alarming (to me) service history, I'm a little concerned. I've had a few people say it's a perfectly fine engine, while others seem a bit alarmed.
On a fair few MOTs, it's been reported to have an oil leak, of which it supposedly stems from the transmission. It has also been recovered from a housing estate after it broke down due to overheating.
The other bit that worries me is that the last time it was recorded as having its cambelt done was in 2011, assuming there hasn't been any other services on it. As far as I know (which isnt much), the cambelt is important to replace, as if it snaps, its game over.
I'm getting it serviced by a local mechanic on Tuesday, which I'm hoping will give it a bit of love it might need.
Unfortunately I only know little bits and pieces about cars, so I'm not 100% sure if I have the terminology correct, or if I have missed anything. I'm more than happy to share MOT histories or anything like that.
Thank you
You are right about the cambelt failing being disastrous, also it is very likely you will need the blower working for the winter because not only will you have no heating, you will not be able to demist the windscreen. Also the overheating is a concern, it may have a warped head or a blown head gasket.
I would not buy this car.
I would not buy this car.
Yes, the blower not working is absolutely awful. I'm not driving the car at all until it's fixed, since it's dangerous to drive since I can't see.
I've already bought the car for relatively cheap-idh, and it drives relatively OK, despite some flaws (the blower, and the tracking being slightly off).
How bad is it if it has damage from past overheating?
I've already bought the car for relatively cheap-idh, and it drives relatively OK, despite some flaws (the blower, and the tracking being slightly off).
How bad is it if it has damage from past overheating?
Service history should be taken with a pinch of salt unless you know the car and the history of it. Even main agent.
Bought one this week with FSH and a very recent service stamp, main agent, with black oil and a very old oil filter on it. Not the first time, TBH I would trust regular stamps from an independent over main dealer.
Buy the car on your preferences, price, mot history and what you see in front of you and take your chances with something of that age.
If it is running well and not overheating it quite likely has no damage from the overheating issue, not everyone drives until they cook.
You have already bought it? Fix the issues you need to fix, drive it and assess your feeling about it, no point overthinking it now you have it.
Always had good luck with a Clio. had a 2015 cat s this week, nice car, a dealer bought it to retail it as the repair was very good, two doors bought in colour and a very small dent on sill repaired, which is under a sill cover anyway.
Enjoy it for what it is, an old cheap car that is serving your needs of it.
Bought one this week with FSH and a very recent service stamp, main agent, with black oil and a very old oil filter on it. Not the first time, TBH I would trust regular stamps from an independent over main dealer.
Buy the car on your preferences, price, mot history and what you see in front of you and take your chances with something of that age.
If it is running well and not overheating it quite likely has no damage from the overheating issue, not everyone drives until they cook.
You have already bought it? Fix the issues you need to fix, drive it and assess your feeling about it, no point overthinking it now you have it.
Always had good luck with a Clio. had a 2015 cat s this week, nice car, a dealer bought it to retail it as the repair was very good, two doors bought in colour and a very small dent on sill repaired, which is under a sill cover anyway.
Enjoy it for what it is, an old cheap car that is serving your needs of it.
anyoldcardave said:
Service history should be taken with a pinch of salt unless you know the car and the history of it. Even main agent.
Bought one this week with FSH and a very recent service stamp, main agent, with black oil and a very old oil filter on it. Not the first time, TBH I would trust regular stamps from an independent over main dealer.
Buy the car on your preferences, price, mot history and what you see in front of you and take your chances with something of that age.
If it is running well and not overheating it quite likely has no damage from the overheating issue, not everyone drives until they cook.
You have already bought it? Fix the issues you need to fix, drive it and assess your feeling about it, no point overthinking it now you have it.
Always had good luck with a Clio. had a 2015 cat s this week, nice car, a dealer bought it to retail it as the repair was very good, two doors bought in colour and a very small dent on sill repaired, which is under a sill cover anyway.
Enjoy it for what it is, an old cheap car that is serving your needs of it.
It is a very nice to drive car, despite its few flaws. Considering the price bracket (sub-£1000), its a pretty good car. It's fairly responsive and drives nicely, and doesn't make any alarming noises or the sort. You're probably right in that overthinking doesn't help, especially now I have the car.Bought one this week with FSH and a very recent service stamp, main agent, with black oil and a very old oil filter on it. Not the first time, TBH I would trust regular stamps from an independent over main dealer.
Buy the car on your preferences, price, mot history and what you see in front of you and take your chances with something of that age.
If it is running well and not overheating it quite likely has no damage from the overheating issue, not everyone drives until they cook.
You have already bought it? Fix the issues you need to fix, drive it and assess your feeling about it, no point overthinking it now you have it.
Always had good luck with a Clio. had a 2015 cat s this week, nice car, a dealer bought it to retail it as the repair was very good, two doors bought in colour and a very small dent on sill repaired, which is under a sill cover anyway.
Enjoy it for what it is, an old cheap car that is serving your needs of it.
If the blower motor isn't working at all it will most likely be the resister.
It's a near 20 year old car so I would take any service history with a pinch of salt.
Cambelt, well it could snap tomorrow (or the tensioner could fail) or it could be fine for years. Cambelt change would be down to how lucky you feel and if the car is decent enough to warrant one.
The overheating issue is concerning, any idea what caused it at the time?
It's a near 20 year old car so I would take any service history with a pinch of salt.
Cambelt, well it could snap tomorrow (or the tensioner could fail) or it could be fine for years. Cambelt change would be down to how lucky you feel and if the car is decent enough to warrant one.
The overheating issue is concerning, any idea what caused it at the time?
spikeyhead said:
If teh blower isn't working and it's overheated, does it have coolant and is it circulating?
I'm fairly sure it has coolant in, since I've been able to drive it for an extended period of time (20-30 minutes) on busy-ish roads, and the temperature of the oil never gets too high, nor does the car seem to overheat. As far as I know, the heater blower is a common fault - something to do with a fuse or resistor?ThingsBehindTheSun said:
If the blower motor isn't working at all it will most likely be the resister.
It's a near 20 year old car so I would take any service history with a pinch of salt.
Cambelt, well it could snap tomorrow (or the tensioner could fail) or it could be fine for years. Cambelt change would be down to how lucky you feel and if the car is decent enough to warrant one.
The overheating issue is concerning, any idea what caused it at the time?
Yes, the heater blower doesn't do anything, no matter what speed you put it to blow at. The service history is fairly complete-ish, with a lot of paperwork to show what's been done to it.It's a near 20 year old car so I would take any service history with a pinch of salt.
Cambelt, well it could snap tomorrow (or the tensioner could fail) or it could be fine for years. Cambelt change would be down to how lucky you feel and if the car is decent enough to warrant one.
The overheating issue is concerning, any idea what caused it at the time?
The cambelt hasn't been done in a while, as far as I know, so I'm trying to get it done quick, in case it's hanging on by a thread. The car is pretty decent for the price, so I think it's worth it to spend the money on preventing it breaking down.
The overheating issue is found on one of the service sheets. It says:
"Carried out investigation to the vehicle overheating and confirmed cooling fan not working - found poor connection at the fuse and battery. Cleaned and made local repairs, now working."
On this same sheet, it's also noted as having an oil leak from the near-side drive-shaft oil seal
tdns07 said:
I'm getting it serviced by a local mechanic on Tuesday, which I'm hoping will give it a bit of love it might need.
Change the oil (maybe a flush as well) fix the heater/blower
ask your mechanic to inspect the cambelt and change if necessary (obviously ten years is too long but it may have been changed and not recorded)
Good luck!
tdns07 said:
I'm fairly sure it has coolant in, since I've been able to drive it for an extended period of time (20-30 minutes) on busy-ish roads, and the temperature of the oil never gets too high, nor does the car seem to overheat. As far as I know, the heater blower is a common fault - something to do with a fuse or resistor?
The temperature gauge shows the temp of the coolant (a water and anti-freeze mix) not of the oil.Have you checked the oil and water levels? The oil on the dipstick should be a nice golden colour - definitely not black. When the car is cold, take of the oil cap and check if it has what looks like mayonnaise inside it - that is not a good sign.
Was the heater blower faulty when you bought it and was it a private sale or a dealer.
Do you have a trusted friend or family member who can show you the basic things you need to check and do on your car?
tdns07 said:
I'm fairly sure it has coolant in, since I've been able to drive it for an extended period of time (20-30 minutes) on busy-ish roads, and the temperature of the oil never gets too high, nor does the car seem to overheat. As far as I know, the heater blower is a common fault - something to do with a fuse or resistor?
If it's not overheating anymore, and considering that was traced to a cooling fan connector, you should be fine in that regard. If it's otherwise fine, it's probably worth getting the cambelt and blower fixed. I would consider the cambelt urgent.tdns07 said:
I'm fairly sure it has coolant in, since I've been able to drive it for an extended period of time (20-30 minutes) on busy-ish roads, and the temperature of the oil never gets too high, nor does the car seem to overheat. As far as I know, the heater blower is a common fault - something to do with a fuse or resistor?
PS - You can check the coolant level really easily. Just lift the bonnet and you will see a translucent plastic container with a mark on the side showing you the level it should be. NEVER EVER loosen the cap while the engine is hot - you could get badly scalded.Thee may be other plastic containers in the engine bay, for screen wash and brake fluid etc. The car handbook will show you which is which.
TA14 said:
Change the oil (maybe a flush as well)
fix the heater/blower
ask your mechanic to inspect the cambelt and change if necessary (obviously ten years is too long but it may have been changed and not recorded)
Good luck!
I'm going to ask my mechanic to sort the oil and the cambelt, and I'm asking a friend to try and fix the heater/blower. I'm hoping that the cambelt was changed at some point after 2011, but I'm not entirely convinced it has.fix the heater/blower
ask your mechanic to inspect the cambelt and change if necessary (obviously ten years is too long but it may have been changed and not recorded)
Good luck!
Thank you for the luck, I certainly need it
Edited by tdns07 on Saturday 1st November 18:05
CanAm said:
The temperature gauge shows the temp of the coolant (a water and anti-freeze mix) not of the oil.
Have you checked the oil and water levels? The oil on the dipstick should be a nice golden colour - definitely not black. When the car is cold, take of the oil cap and check if it has what looks like mayonnaise inside it - that is not a good sign.
Was the heater blower faulty when you bought it and was it a private sale or a dealer.
Do you have a trusted friend or family member who can show you the basic things you need to check and do on your car?
Ahhh, that makes more sense - I only know tiny bits of info about cars. I have not checked the oil and water levels yet, but I'll see if my friend can come over and help me not do it wrong. Have you checked the oil and water levels? The oil on the dipstick should be a nice golden colour - definitely not black. When the car is cold, take of the oil cap and check if it has what looks like mayonnaise inside it - that is not a good sign.
Was the heater blower faulty when you bought it and was it a private sale or a dealer.
Do you have a trusted friend or family member who can show you the basic things you need to check and do on your car?
The heater blower was faulty when I bought the car off of someone privately. They didn't actually say the blower was broken until my dad tested it and it didn't work - I think that was pretty poor of the seller. I'm going to see if my dad can teach me some stuff about cars, since I quite like my little Clio and I don't want to unintentionally kill it.
Super Sonic said:
If it's not overheating anymore, and considering that was traced to a cooling fan connector, you should be fine in that regard. If it's otherwise fine, it's probably worth getting the cambelt and blower fixed. I would consider the cambelt urgent.
Yes, I was told by a fair few people that the cambelt is incredibly important and should get looked at, just in case.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff