Discussion
My 2007 DB9 was serviced every year up to 2020 by Aston Sevenoaks, in 2021 a slightly dodgy dealer claimed to have done one, then last year I took it to Nicholas Mee. That was called the '10,000 mile' service.
That was 11 months ago and in that time I've done about 4,500 miles.
Received wisdom says 'Get it serviced every year', but does it really need a 10,000 miles service every 4,500 miles? What will happen if I leave it until (say) next summer? Will someone at sale time say 'Dear me this car wasn't serviced in 2023 I shall knock £2,000 off the asking price'? How important is it really on a car 16 years old?
That was 11 months ago and in that time I've done about 4,500 miles.
Received wisdom says 'Get it serviced every year', but does it really need a 10,000 miles service every 4,500 miles? What will happen if I leave it until (say) next summer? Will someone at sale time say 'Dear me this car wasn't serviced in 2023 I shall knock £2,000 off the asking price'? How important is it really on a car 16 years old?
Simpo Two said:
Received wisdom says 'Get it serviced every year', but does it really need a 10,000 miles service every 4,500 miles? What will happen if I leave it until (say) next summer? Will someone at sale time say 'Dear me this car wasn't serviced in 2023 I shall knock £2,000 off the asking price'? How important is it really on a car 16 years old?
Well that's the crux of the issue and only you can decide. The service is 10,000 OR 12mths whichever is sooner, so calling it a 10,000 mile service is not correct. It would be like doing 30,000 p/a and then wondering if it was OK to service it once a year rather than every 4 months.Surely would have made more sense to buy a car for less money without a full service history already though if you intended to sack it off yourself a year later?
Hi, may be worth calling Nicolas Mee’s and outlining your thoughts around options.
If it’s a minor service, say just oil and visual check, if you do this inside 2023 and get a stamp for this year, service wise you have all of 2024 to decide what to do with a few more miles under the wheels and a full service book in hand.
I’m no expert in this area, but if a minor service and inspection (of which a basic MOT can cover a lot of the bases) to your point at sale time it’s one less thing to be haggled down over and you might be alerted to some preventative maintenance you can do at leisure as opposed to part of a more pressured workshop schedule.
If it’s a minor service, say just oil and visual check, if you do this inside 2023 and get a stamp for this year, service wise you have all of 2024 to decide what to do with a few more miles under the wheels and a full service book in hand.
I’m no expert in this area, but if a minor service and inspection (of which a basic MOT can cover a lot of the bases) to your point at sale time it’s one less thing to be haggled down over and you might be alerted to some preventative maintenance you can do at leisure as opposed to part of a more pressured workshop schedule.
AdamV12V said:
Well that's the crux of the issue and only you can decide. The service is 10,000 OR 12mths whichever is sooner
Ah, I didn't realise that. The car is working well and has just sailed through its MOT with no advisories.AdamV12V said:
Surely would have made more sense to buy a car for less money without a full service history already though if you intended to sack it off yourself a year later?
Options for a green DB9 with wood trim were limited enough without waiting for one without a FSH/higher mileage to come along...There was no intention to 'sack it off a year later' - but one day it will be for sale hence the question.
996Type said:
If it’s a minor service, say just oil and visual check, if you do this inside 2023 and get a stamp for this year
I don't see much point in hauling over to Nicholas Mee just for that; my local garage (who did the MOT) could change the oil - but I wouldn't want their stamp in the book so it would just be an invoice as evidence of work done.Even if it's not used elements of the car degrade just with time: metal corrodes, rubber perishes, brake fluid absorbs water and so on.
That's why annual (or sooner because of mileage) services and inspections are recommended by manufacturers.
What would your reaction have been if the car had missed one (or more) annual services when you were looking to buy it?
That's why annual (or sooner because of mileage) services and inspections are recommended by manufacturers.
What would your reaction have been if the car had missed one (or more) annual services when you were looking to buy it?
Simpo Two said:
996Type said:
If it’s a minor service, say just oil and visual check, if you do this inside 2023 and get a stamp for this year
I don't see much point in hauling over to Nicholas Mee just for that; my local garage (who did the MOT) could change the oil - but I wouldn't want their stamp in the book so it would just be an invoice as evidence of work done.With the history being so consistent, I’d be tempted to maintain the specialist side of it personally, but you might have a different view.
With the pool of DB9’s versus the available buyers, anything you can do to retain its resale attractiveness might pay dividends down the line?
Edited by 996Type on Monday 25th September 16:44
I have done around 7500 miles in mine since I bought it ... it had 22,500 and now sits a little under 30,000 in 3 years. It is serviced every year by either AHM or Phoenix. I personally want to make sure if I sell the car the buyer gets a good history of the car and knows while under my watch has been looked after.
The service carried out last week showed a few little issue like cracked rubber boots etc. which were all taken care of. Brake fluid was found to have a little moisture in it also.
While my car was a good one with supposed full history and a full complement of service stamps in the book, I did struggle to get any paperwork from main dealers as to none service work that had been carried out which annoyed me though I did speak to each MD who confirmed they did have records of my car having had work done. I would have been skeptical of my cars history had it not been fully serviced annually.
The service carried out last week showed a few little issue like cracked rubber boots etc. which were all taken care of. Brake fluid was found to have a little moisture in it also.
While my car was a good one with supposed full history and a full complement of service stamps in the book, I did struggle to get any paperwork from main dealers as to none service work that had been carried out which annoyed me though I did speak to each MD who confirmed they did have records of my car having had work done. I would have been skeptical of my cars history had it not been fully serviced annually.
jeremyc said:
Even if it's not used elements of the car degrade just with time: metal corrodes, rubber perishes, brake fluid absorbs water and so on.
That's why annual (or sooner because of mileage) services and inspections are recommended by manufacturers.
By every manufacturer? I thought cars were made better than that these days, and the MOT would pick up essential bits.That's why annual (or sooner because of mileage) services and inspections are recommended by manufacturers.
jeremyc said:
What would your reaction have been if the car had missed one (or more) annual services when you were looking to buy it?
That's a good question. As it only did 1,000 miles a year it would have seemed reasonable to me to extend the intervals.996Type said:
Ah, I see it’s annual anyway if you don’t cover the miles and you’ve done the MOT. Who are you going to use to keep the stamp or are you going to just start using your local garage?
With the history being so consistent, I’d be tempted to maintain the specialist side of it personally, but you might have a different view.
With the pool of DB9’s versus the available buyers, anything you can do to retain its resale attractiveness might pay dividends down the line?
I already use a more local garage for 'normal' work like brake pads. That was fine and the labour rate is half. But I know some things about Astons are specific and it's better off with someone who knows them. The dichotomy is practical reasons vs desire to collect stamps. With the history being so consistent, I’d be tempted to maintain the specialist side of it personally, but you might have a different view.
With the pool of DB9’s versus the available buyers, anything you can do to retain its resale attractiveness might pay dividends down the line?
I'll sleep on it... after all it's only money!
jeremyc said:
That's why annual (or sooner because of mileage) services and inspections are recommended by manufacturers.
Well, not every manufacturer.
.
One of my cars is a 3.2 V6 Mercedes--Benz. A dashboard indicator stipulates when a service is needed.
Would you believe, alternate minor/major services have always been roughly every 2 years. Annual mileage about 7,000.
Engine sounds as quiet now as it did when new, 23 years ago.
The manufacturer's software must presumably take into account the lower than average mileage.
john ryan said:
At 16, condition beats a (dodgy) service history. I've self serviced mine for the past 10 years and keep records. Oil change every 3 years. Just on the way back from an annual Cote d' Azur trip, and never a problem. These cars are super reliable IMHO.
The condition is very good (apart from scuffs under the chin spoiler and micro-cracks in the headlamp covers but TADTS). The interior is virtually mint.I'm confident the car doesn't physically *need* another service yet, it's just the possibility of residuals that's making me hesitate. But, if we're talking numbers, if I save £1,000 on a service and some hawkeye buyer notes that the car's only had 15 services in 16 years, has the car really lost £1,000 in value? I can't think so...
My local Aston service does what’s needed, if nothing other than an oil change (that would be the minimum) that’s all they would do. As mine has an annual stamp I would want to keep it up for the sake of £500 a year. May be meaningless for residuals to a degree, if one or two are missed, but a 14+ year old car, if you want to sell, is going to be more attractive with annual services than one without, in what is currently a buyers market. You also get some peace of mind in that it’s getting an annual once over by experts in Astons, not just any old MOT shop ( both are done together). I guess the challenge is finding one not too far away thats not charging exorbitant rates.
Ps it’s also fun getting a look around the workshop, always something good to look at!
Ps it’s also fun getting a look around the workshop, always something good to look at!
I`ve been told by people who should know these cars, that oil etc should be done every year, and also, that every two years is fine. All knowledge and common sense shows that these modern oils last much better than the old organic stuff, and with the limited mileage and not too excessive engine work that many people do with these cars, two years should be perfectly fine.
I use mine, 8000km/5000miles per year on average. I have done both one year and two year servicing, (initially with AM, more often independents,) and have now settled on 18 months, which I feel is a decent compromise.
In a 16 year old car, with higher mileage than most, I cant see how much value I would lose if I did sell with my current stamp history, compared to annual AM stamps. If your car is low mileage and pristine, maybe it would have a difference for resale, but as the V8 Vantage was made in large numbers (comparatively) I don`t think for most it makes a huge difference.
I use mine, 8000km/5000miles per year on average. I have done both one year and two year servicing, (initially with AM, more often independents,) and have now settled on 18 months, which I feel is a decent compromise.
In a 16 year old car, with higher mileage than most, I cant see how much value I would lose if I did sell with my current stamp history, compared to annual AM stamps. If your car is low mileage and pristine, maybe it would have a difference for resale, but as the V8 Vantage was made in large numbers (comparatively) I don`t think for most it makes a huge difference.
Simpo Two said:
I don't see much point in hauling over to Nicholas Mee just for that; my local garage (who did the MOT) could change the oil - but I wouldn't want their stamp in the book so it would just be an invoice as evidence of work done.
This is what to do , you could buy the correct oil and the get the oil filter from Aston and get them to do it they can check the brake fluid in one minute as well.Do change the oil every 12 months though, will this way affect the value imo no My V12V has had five mainly just oil and filter done by my local garage in Italy did its make a difference to weather or not works wanted to buy and sell it ? NO.
Oh and i paid them 90 euros (I supplied oil& filter) to do the job which AM Bologna charged me 900 euros once.
Edited by cayman-black on Tuesday 26th September 15:23
All very good and useful points. I agree 18 months is a good compromise.
The catch is that if I should change the oil every year (in my case c.4,500 miles), which I could get the local garage to do, then next summer when it needs the Proper AM Stamp, the oil either gets changed again after only 6 months, which isn't sensible, or I say to them 'I'd like the stamp please but don't change the oil'. How would that go down with a service manager?
The only plan that works neatly with two levels of garage is to go for the 'proper' AM service every two years, and a local oil and checkover service in-between locally. Reasons not to would be appreciated for digestion!
The catch is that if I should change the oil every year (in my case c.4,500 miles), which I could get the local garage to do, then next summer when it needs the Proper AM Stamp, the oil either gets changed again after only 6 months, which isn't sensible, or I say to them 'I'd like the stamp please but don't change the oil'. How would that go down with a service manager?
The only plan that works neatly with two levels of garage is to go for the 'proper' AM service every two years, and a local oil and checkover service in-between locally. Reasons not to would be appreciated for digestion!
I’m in my seventh year of ownership and get it serviced every year at works, get the stamp, maintain the history. If doing the service they bring to your attention what needs addressing then up to me whether they do the work or I sort it somewhere else. When I sold my roadster after 5 years, as soon as I mentioned the history and show the files it’s perfect- goes well with the packaged car you’re trying to sell.
To change the oil annually i feel is really important regardless of miles, probably you supply the oil for the dealer to use?
To change the oil annually i feel is really important regardless of miles, probably you supply the oil for the dealer to use?
Forums | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff