Missed service intervals (Vanquish Gen 2)

[mk803]

Hi All,

I have found a Vanquish 2015 model with 38K km on the clock. The car is in perfect condition inside out. Problem is: the car has had 2 services since new so in 2016 and 2017 from an official AM dealer. Then the car since now has not been serviced (thats about 8 yrs!). However, it did have an MOT in 2021 and passed. Since last service the car has done 8K km or so.

Battery has been changed. I drove the car and drove beautifully. The dealer told me that the car was seized and thus it remained unused.

Naturally, I am worried about the massive lack of service and any potential damage it may have caused (or not) and also potential issues that may arise in my ownership.

What are your thoughts? And do you believe a PPI by Aston will be able to pick up any damage done thus far? Or should I simply pass?

Best
Michael

[Vet Guru]

Just walk away!
If someone has a car like that and can’t be bothered to look after the service side what else have they cut corners on
Remember when you come to sell it you will get people walk away
It’s not like it’s a one off car and you will find another

[LooneyTunes]

Wouldn’t be bothered by a couple of missed services on a low mileage car, but that’s quite a lot of missed servicing on a higher mileage one…

[Jon39]

mk803 said:

... The dealer told me that the car was seized and thus it remained unused. ...

I am feeling bad vibes.

What does the dealer mean by seized?
Engine seized?
Police seized?
Drug Squad seized?

Am sure a better example will appear if you wait.

[Simpo Two]

In the eight years since the last service the car has done about 5,000 miles, and presumably then it was repossessed (you could ask the dealer for clarification on the word 'seized'). I don't see why someone would seize it and then sit on a depreciating asset for 8 years.

Mile-wise it's about ready for another service. I don't see what 'massive damage' you expect.

Is the spec commonplace, ie black/white/grey over black? If so there are others to see. But if it's unusual and you like it then I think that if the car shows no signs of abuse it's worth carrying on, and get the dealer to give it a full service before purchase.

Is the service interval on transmission oil 40K miles/8 years, as the DB9? I would get that changed too.

[Earthdweller]

Simpo Two said:

I don't see why someone would seize it and then sit on a depreciating asset for 8 years.

.

If it's part of an ongoing police/customs etc investigation then it's entirely possible it could have sat in a police pound for a number of years until the criminal matters are completed

It would then be disposed of under the police property act

[andyduncan]

I wouldn't write it off - 38K klms is not a lot for a 10 year old car.
I think the key is to find out a bit more about its history and why it had a MOT in 2021 (is the car UK or Europe based/spec) and the lack of servicing in between.
What was the klms when it was MOT'd if the service was in 2017 and 8k klms since??
MOT here in France (CT) is every 2 years...
Then insist on a full service.
Agreed, further down the line if you intend to sell it, there will be questions asked, so insure you have the right answers and if it's good for you, it should be ok for most future owners...
good luck..

Edited by andyduncan on Friday 1st August 13:49

[camel_landy]

I wouldn't be put off but I'd want to understand a bit more of the history.

If it has been sitting around for a while, other than a comprehensive fluid & filter change, I'd also be paying attention to the rubber components. Tyres will need replacing, windscreen wipers and possibly some of the door seals / weather strips.

...and at 40k, you're probably needing coil packs too.

M

[XMark]

I don t understand people being put off by missed services on a low mileage cherished car, buy on condition, with a professional inspection if it makes you feel better.

[mk803]

Earthdweller said:

Simpo Two said:

I don't see why someone would seize it and then sit on a depreciating asset for 8 years.

.

If it's part of an ongoing police/customs etc investigation then it's entirely possible it could have sat in a police pound for a number of years until the criminal matters are completed

It would then be disposed of under the police property act

This is exactly what the dealer said. Finally the car was released to the owner and then I would presume put it up for sale through a garage.

[mk803]

Simpo Two said:

In the eight years since the last service the car has done about 5,000 miles, and presumably then it was repossessed (you could ask the dealer for clarification on the word 'seized'). I don't see why someone would seize it and then sit on a depreciating asset for 8 years.

Mile-wise it's about ready for another service. I don't see what 'massive damage' you expect.

Is the spec commonplace, ie black/white/grey over black? If so there are others to see. But if it's unusual and you like it then I think that if the car shows no signs of abuse it's worth carrying on, and get the dealer to give it a full service before purchase.

Is the service interval on transmission oil 40K miles/8 years, as the DB9? I would get that changed too.

I hear quite often if oil is not changed for a long time (and here we are talking about a long time) will degrade even if the car is not used and damage the internals. I have had various responses to this topic some say absolutely yes others not so much, so I am a bit confused as I am not an expert. I will not of course buy the car without the PPI but was wondering if a PPI will be able to pick this one up during their inspection

[Phil74891]

If it’s your dream spec, the price is right and it gets fully serviced by a main dealer or specialist before delivery, including new tyres etc etc, and you think you’ll keep it long term, then it should be ok.

If you only want to keep it 1-3 years or so, then the lack of service history will make it difficult to sell on.

[Simpo Two]

mk803 said:

I hear quite often if oil is not changed for a long time (and here we are talking about a long time) will degrade even if the car is not used and damage the internals.

Specifically transmission oil, yes, at least in a DB9 with ZF6 box. My car had only covered 14K miles when I bought it but was 14 years old. To cut a long story short, it needed a new torque converter. That's because the AM dealer who'd serviced the car every year for 14 years worked to 40K miles not 8 years, so the oil was 14 years old.

The symptom was a slight stutter in power once the gearbox was up to temperature (hence it didn't show up on the test drive). The diagnosis was achieved using live data comparing input/output shaft speeds.

I don't know how you'd test the oil but on the test drive allow 30 mins. I think if there's no mention of it in the service history you have to assume it hasn't been changed, and ask the dealer to do it before sale.

[M1AGM]

I was thinking the brake fluid must be made of something special if it is still performing well after 8 years without being changed.

[LTP]

M1AGM said:

I was thinking the brake fluid must be made of something special if it is still performing well after 8 years without being changed.

The problem with the hygroscopicity of brake fluid it that it still works OK-ish with absorbed water, as water is (roughly) incompressible too, but if you get everything hot enough to actually boil the water in the brake fluid - well that's when you find that steam is not incompressible and you get a very long pedal, if any brakes at all.