Would you buy a £12k VW Beetle '65 with no service history?
Discussion
EDIT: I meant a 2015 plate, not a 1965 Beetle 
Hey all, after much consideration, I'd like to go for a Beetle A5.
Test driven a couple now and found one quite a distance away, but it just so happened that I was in the vicinity for a gig. It's a '65, has done 30k miles, Sport trim, and was on sale for £12,600. It's at a Vauxhall garage which is part of a big nationwide group.
After a few phone calls, I arranged to go up and see it. This week it was reduced down to £12,300. And upon arrival, the bodywork looked more scuffed than expected. Not a big problem, apart from a few chips which are down to the metal.
I took it for a test drive. Felt like the others, though the passenger door doesn't sound great when it's being opened. Second key isn't with it.
But the big thing for me was that there appears to be no service history. The only one was a service done by Vauxhall when it was taken by them. After a chat, they're pretty sure there is no other service history. I did try calling my local VW but it was on a Saturday afternoon, so the service dept was closed.
It also failed the MOT twice that they had put it through, due to a bulge in the tyre (now replaced) and rear fog not working (it still wasn't working when I got there).
It was a slow day so they seemed even more keen to shift this car. I said, because of the lack of service history, £11k would be my offer, or £11,500 if they included a two year full warranty (£450) and waived the silly admin fee (£150). They came back with the £12,300 price with the two year warranty, no fee, and a second key. In the end I said £12,000 with the warranty, no fee and second key, to which they said no.
Now I do understand how running a business works; profit shouldn't be a dirty word. I appreciate in usual circumstances, an £11k offer on a £12,300 listing would probably be insulting. But I'm not so sure about whether it's worth a potential big hassle down the line for the kind of money they're asking.
I'll try VW on Monday to see if they can shed any light on a possible service history.
Just seems odd that it's only recently out of warranty, to never have been serviced by the owner, until now, by the Vauxhall dealer. I previously had a Polo which had three years' servicing chucked in. Where do I stand on things that have a longer warranty span than the standard three years, will any guarantee with these now be void?
Just interested to hear your thoughts - would you spend that kind of money on a car without a service history?
Thanks
Hey all, after much consideration, I'd like to go for a Beetle A5.
Test driven a couple now and found one quite a distance away, but it just so happened that I was in the vicinity for a gig. It's a '65, has done 30k miles, Sport trim, and was on sale for £12,600. It's at a Vauxhall garage which is part of a big nationwide group.
After a few phone calls, I arranged to go up and see it. This week it was reduced down to £12,300. And upon arrival, the bodywork looked more scuffed than expected. Not a big problem, apart from a few chips which are down to the metal.
I took it for a test drive. Felt like the others, though the passenger door doesn't sound great when it's being opened. Second key isn't with it.
But the big thing for me was that there appears to be no service history. The only one was a service done by Vauxhall when it was taken by them. After a chat, they're pretty sure there is no other service history. I did try calling my local VW but it was on a Saturday afternoon, so the service dept was closed.
It also failed the MOT twice that they had put it through, due to a bulge in the tyre (now replaced) and rear fog not working (it still wasn't working when I got there).
It was a slow day so they seemed even more keen to shift this car. I said, because of the lack of service history, £11k would be my offer, or £11,500 if they included a two year full warranty (£450) and waived the silly admin fee (£150). They came back with the £12,300 price with the two year warranty, no fee, and a second key. In the end I said £12,000 with the warranty, no fee and second key, to which they said no.
Now I do understand how running a business works; profit shouldn't be a dirty word. I appreciate in usual circumstances, an £11k offer on a £12,300 listing would probably be insulting. But I'm not so sure about whether it's worth a potential big hassle down the line for the kind of money they're asking.
I'll try VW on Monday to see if they can shed any light on a possible service history.
Just seems odd that it's only recently out of warranty, to never have been serviced by the owner, until now, by the Vauxhall dealer. I previously had a Polo which had three years' servicing chucked in. Where do I stand on things that have a longer warranty span than the standard three years, will any guarantee with these now be void?
Just interested to hear your thoughts - would you spend that kind of money on a car without a service history?
Thanks
Edited by ritchieee on Monday 28th January 09:21
You already know the answer that's why you haven't bought it, I'd go for this one unless the colour is a deal breaker:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ZX10R NIN said:
You already know the answer that's why you haven't bought it, I'd go for this one unless the colour is a deal breaker:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Indeed. Still hoping there's something when I call VW on Monday.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Thanks for looking. I've seen this one. My budget is 12k but let's see if they budge.
plumslikerocks said:
30k on the same oil? Double MOT failure at 3 years old? Scuffed up body and sprained door hinges?
It's been treated with no respect whatsover. I wouldn't even be looking for a deal....
Yup. You've nailed it. Thanks, decision made. I'll still give VW a call to confirm if there is or isn't a history. If none I'll forget it.It's been treated with no respect whatsover. I wouldn't even be looking for a deal....
Sounds like a rental in a previous life maybe? Is it Evans halshaw by chance? if so may be a private owner bought it in for their buying service. When I sold them a TT I was amazed that their margins were so low. Admittedly mine needed no prep but they had it up for less than £800 more than I had sold it to them for!
ritchieee said:
ZX10R NIN said:
You already know the answer that's why you haven't bought it, I'd go for this one unless the colour is a deal breaker:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Indeed. Still hoping there's something when I call VW on Monday.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Thanks for looking. I've seen this one. My budget is 12k but let's see if they budge.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ritchieee said:
snake_oil said:
I'd walk due to the lack of history.
And because it's a beetle. They're awful. But, if you really want one, get one with history.
Oh i like them And because it's a beetle. They're awful. But, if you really want one, get one with history.
what is it that forms your opinion on them being awful? But hey, each to their own
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