Car with "missing" service history
Discussion
Hi,
I am looking at buying a 8 year old mildly hot hatch with 50k miles from an Arnold Clark dealer. Its priced 20-30% below an average car of same spec and age. The issue is though that the dealer is unable to find the service log book, so I have to presume it does not have one (although the dealer has given it a service last week).
Should I stay far away from this car? Should I have a look at it and if so what should I look for? Anyway of finding out if the car does have a service history?
Cheers.
I am looking at buying a 8 year old mildly hot hatch with 50k miles from an Arnold Clark dealer. Its priced 20-30% below an average car of same spec and age. The issue is though that the dealer is unable to find the service log book, so I have to presume it does not have one (although the dealer has given it a service last week).
Should I stay far away from this car? Should I have a look at it and if so what should I look for? Anyway of finding out if the car does have a service history?
Cheers.
As above, buy on condition. I would be taking in to account what car it is though; Some brands/engines might take the abuse and lack of servicing, others might not. I wouldn’t buy say a Mazda 3 mps with spotty service history given how prone they are to issues after lack of oil changes.
If it's anything with a timing chain (particularly anything from VAG) I'd give it a miss, as they are prone to failure if not serviced on time and with the correct oil. However, with a timing belt, if it runs ok and doesn't smoke, you are probably at a reasonably low risk of catastrophic failure as long as you replace the belt soon after buying it.
It's likely to have been serviced for at least the first 3 years to keep up the warranty, and you can use the MOT history to see how many miles it's done since then. Also if it passed first time every time with no serious advisories, chances are it was serviced before it was MOTd anyway.
It's likely to have been serviced for at least the first 3 years to keep up the warranty, and you can use the MOT history to see how many miles it's done since then. Also if it passed first time every time with no serious advisories, chances are it was serviced before it was MOTd anyway.
Always buy on condition. IMO a fully stamped service book is only important when you come to sell it.
One car I bought which was one owner from new with a fully stamped book had a cabin filter that had never been touched and was blocked solid.
Another car had no stamps in the book but I tracked down where it had been serviced and they pulled the records fro their computer and stamped the book for me.
If what you are looking at is eight years old then consider how long you intend to keep it and consider how important a FSH will be when you want to dispose of it.
If it is in good condition then you may have found a bargain. Take a second pair of (neutral) eyes with you to give their general opinion to avoid you getting carried away.
Good luck. I sounds as if you may have found a rare beast (a used car bargain).
One car I bought which was one owner from new with a fully stamped book had a cabin filter that had never been touched and was blocked solid.
Another car had no stamps in the book but I tracked down where it had been serviced and they pulled the records fro their computer and stamped the book for me.
If what you are looking at is eight years old then consider how long you intend to keep it and consider how important a FSH will be when you want to dispose of it.
If it is in good condition then you may have found a bargain. Take a second pair of (neutral) eyes with you to give their general opinion to avoid you getting carried away.
Good luck. I sounds as if you may have found a rare beast (a used car bargain).
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