Indie Servicing Question
Discussion
Hello Good People,
Have been perusing these pages for the past couple of weeks(and drooling over some of your car pictures) and am looking for some of your insightful thoughts.
A work colleague is thinking of selling his 2009 4.7 Vantage, I have seen the car before and know its been pampered and is in excellent condition throughout.
The car is based at a weekend home in North Wales and the only unknown as far as I can see is that the car has been looked after by a local independent Jag specialist in NWales due to the house location, it has been serviced every year and doesn't do a vast amount of miles. Apparently the garage in question does look after a number of local Astons, does have a good local reputation and I know the owner trusts them.
A quick Google search shows there are a number of Aston/Jag combos around, I don't really see a huge problem but just wondering if anyone on here has any thoughts on this?
Many Thanks,
Ian
Have been perusing these pages for the past couple of weeks(and drooling over some of your car pictures) and am looking for some of your insightful thoughts.
A work colleague is thinking of selling his 2009 4.7 Vantage, I have seen the car before and know its been pampered and is in excellent condition throughout.
The car is based at a weekend home in North Wales and the only unknown as far as I can see is that the car has been looked after by a local independent Jag specialist in NWales due to the house location, it has been serviced every year and doesn't do a vast amount of miles. Apparently the garage in question does look after a number of local Astons, does have a good local reputation and I know the owner trusts them.
A quick Google search shows there are a number of Aston/Jag combos around, I don't really see a huge problem but just wondering if anyone on here has any thoughts on this?
Many Thanks,
Ian
It’s just a bit of common sense really, put yourself in the shoes of A N Other buyer:. Not having a full Aston Martin service history detracts a bit from the value but that would be easily corrected by just getting the next couple of services done with a main dealer
If you wanted to be careful about it you could get a main dealer to inspect the car before you buy it. But if you know the provenance and it’s in good condition then you might choose to go without
As usual with the Vantage the big expense to plan for is the clutch (on the manual). So depending on the miles it’s done, take that into oaccount
If you wanted to be careful about it you could get a main dealer to inspect the car before you buy it. But if you know the provenance and it’s in good condition then you might choose to go without
As usual with the Vantage the big expense to plan for is the clutch (on the manual). So depending on the miles it’s done, take that into oaccount
Thanks Rob, thought without main dealer history it would detract from the value slightly but think is probably offset by knowing that its been well looked after by a trusted garage. Nearest AM indie by the looks are AML performance in Macclesfield and main dealer is Manchester so may get them to have a look before signing the dotted...
The mileage is approx. 22k, is a manual and is still on the first clutch and have been reading that this is an expense to be aware off but doesn't put me off.
Hoping to go and have a try this weekend so lets see what happens next
The mileage is approx. 22k, is a manual and is still on the first clutch and have been reading that this is an expense to be aware off but doesn't put me off.
Hoping to go and have a try this weekend so lets see what happens next
Wouldn't worry about it - everything is about condition. An inspection by the guys in Macclesfield could be worth it, they should spot any obvious future expense and give you a report on discs, pads, shocks etc
If you buy it, get it serviced next time at a specialist, or even treat it to somewhere like AM Works. With the fixed priced servicing these days there is not so much difference on price for a 10k service. Its only when it needs extra stuff that the dealer bills soon mount up due to 2x the labour rate (usually) e.g you get a quote for £500 for pads fitted that would be £150 at an Indy.
With such low miles I would hope its in great condition
If you buy it, get it serviced next time at a specialist, or even treat it to somewhere like AM Works. With the fixed priced servicing these days there is not so much difference on price for a 10k service. Its only when it needs extra stuff that the dealer bills soon mount up due to 2x the labour rate (usually) e.g you get a quote for £500 for pads fitted that would be £150 at an Indy.
With such low miles I would hope its in great condition
Thanks Bogie, I did see the car at the start of last year at a works do and you could just tell that it had been cared for so presuming it hasn't been off roaded since then it should be in the same condition.
Will def look at post purchase options if everything falls into place, presumed that the dealer labour rates for anything would be more expensive and thanks for the tip about the fixed price servicing though, good to know.
Could be an interesting jaunt to Wales this weekend
Will def look at post purchase options if everything falls into place, presumed that the dealer labour rates for anything would be more expensive and thanks for the tip about the fixed price servicing though, good to know.
Could be an interesting jaunt to Wales this weekend
I definitely wouldn't pay a Main Dealer to inspect it unless you are intending to get an AML warranty on it. A good Indie inspection will probably be cheaper and be much more comprehensive and is the way I would go if I were buying privately. For me that would be Bamford Rose but I've only heard good things about Bridge Mill in Macclesfield on here if they are closer for you.
As has been said buy on condition. Ive had my old V8V serviced at Bridge Mill for the last 3 years and am there next week getting them to give my newly acquired V12 the once over (not serviced as it was done in February at a Aston/Jag specialist down in Kent). I just want piece of mind that everything is AOK.
A full main dealer service history is a nice to have but the reputable indies show more attention to detail and have a real interest in the cars (well in my experience anyway).
A full main dealer service history is a nice to have but the reputable indies show more attention to detail and have a real interest in the cars (well in my experience anyway).
I wouldn't take any solace from a full MD history anyway. An AM indy is more likely to do a better job. Not sure on a Jag specialist though. That beign said as above, it's not that old and sounds like a low mileage, if condition looks good just get it to an AM indy and let them do the next service
I personally prefer a history with some indie stamps.
As with any indie or main history; a full one is completely worthless if the owner has not taken care of any remedial work that may have been recommended.
When I think back to my V12V, the first indie service brought up about 10k of work that had not been rectified by previous owners. That car had a full main dealer service history, one of which was done while I owned the car and not a single remedial action was mentioned, two of which were around the brakes and wheel bearings. It was clear they hadn't even taken the car for a road test. What pissed me off the most was the indi service came 2 months out of warranty, so I had to stump up.
My lessons from all of this was to ensure a full inspection on my 2x later Aston purchases and if you have a warranty coming to an end, also get the car inspected.
As with any indie or main history; a full one is completely worthless if the owner has not taken care of any remedial work that may have been recommended.
When I think back to my V12V, the first indie service brought up about 10k of work that had not been rectified by previous owners. That car had a full main dealer service history, one of which was done while I owned the car and not a single remedial action was mentioned, two of which were around the brakes and wheel bearings. It was clear they hadn't even taken the car for a road test. What pissed me off the most was the indi service came 2 months out of warranty, so I had to stump up.
My lessons from all of this was to ensure a full inspection on my 2x later Aston purchases and if you have a warranty coming to an end, also get the car inspected.
Thanks for the input all, much appreciated, looks like this weekend is curtailed now due to work colleagues family commitments and then I'm away next weekend so will be a couple of weeks now before I can get my hands on it.
Will make sure I'm happy first and then take it to BridgeMill/AML in Macclesfield for them to give it the once over, think better to be prudent.
Will update more(with possible pics of course!) when I no more and even if this one doesn't work out then I tend to find myself idly browsing on Autotrader more often these days looking at a certain marque
Will make sure I'm happy first and then take it to BridgeMill/AML in Macclesfield for them to give it the once over, think better to be prudent.
Will update more(with possible pics of course!) when I no more and even if this one doesn't work out then I tend to find myself idly browsing on Autotrader more often these days looking at a certain marque
For what it's worth, my suggestion would be to get it to a good indie for an inspection. Bamford Rose isn't exactly close, but nor is it a day's trek away. Worth the time and cost for peace of mind, plus it might give you something substantive to negotiate on and / or save you from some financial pain later.
Good luck with it!
Good luck with it!
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