What's a good service history on 8 yr old car ?
Discussion
Looking for a nice classic impreza turbo at the moment and seem to be having trouble getting one that has been maintained to schedule. I understand servcing is every 6 months or 7500 miles, whichever comes first, but keep finding that most owners have just gone on the mileage. Hence for some low mileage cars, there are 12 to 18 months between services.
So what's the view on this - Is this the practice of most owners ? Are certain items time dependent e.g. cambelt etc...
Also - What do people in general think about 'self maintaine' cars. E.g. if people do their own simple stuff like oil filters and keep recepits to prove. Would this put you off if buying ?
All views appreciated.
So what's the view on this - Is this the practice of most owners ? Are certain items time dependent e.g. cambelt etc...
Also - What do people in general think about 'self maintaine' cars. E.g. if people do their own simple stuff like oil filters and keep recepits to prove. Would this put you off if buying ?
All views appreciated.
Rob
There are plenty of good ones about keep your eyes out and buy ione that you are happy with rather than comprimising with service history etc.
There is nothing wrong with a self maintained car, but you need to keep your mind open that things may not have been done properly. But then a dealer history could have its own faults.
you dont say what your budget is for a car?
Steve
There are plenty of good ones about keep your eyes out and buy ione that you are happy with rather than comprimising with service history etc.
There is nothing wrong with a self maintained car, but you need to keep your mind open that things may not have been done properly. But then a dealer history could have its own faults.
you dont say what your budget is for a car?
Steve
Edited by stevieb on Thursday 9th August 09:00
I'd be more worried about the overall condition than whats in the service book.
An oil change is a piece of piss on an Impreza so if someone comes accross like they know what they are doing a self maintained car is no problem.
I would not be happy buying a car that did not get fresh oil at least every 12 months.
If the cambelt has not been done for 3years+ or 30k+ its something that will need doing. Look to pay around £150 all in.
Plugs are good for 40k+
It would be good if the coolant got changed every 2 years or so likewise with the brake fluid but thats not a major issue.
Its easy enough to get the air filter cover off and see how clean or otherwise the element is. A dirty element would be a good indicator that other service itmes have been missed.
An oil change is a piece of piss on an Impreza so if someone comes accross like they know what they are doing a self maintained car is no problem.
I would not be happy buying a car that did not get fresh oil at least every 12 months.
If the cambelt has not been done for 3years+ or 30k+ its something that will need doing. Look to pay around £150 all in.
Plugs are good for 40k+
It would be good if the coolant got changed every 2 years or so likewise with the brake fluid but thats not a major issue.
Its easy enough to get the air filter cover off and see how clean or otherwise the element is. A dirty element would be a good indicator that other service itmes have been missed.
Edited by trickywoo on Thursday 9th August 10:50
As someone who self maintains my cars, I would not let it put me off, but I would try and form view of the quality and frequency of the maintenance. As said, it is easy to check the condition of the air filter. Ask when he last changed it BEFORE you then ask to look at it. Ask how often he checks the brake pads, then ask when they were last changed. Its easy to then look through the wheels and see what condition they are in. After this, ask to see his file of receipts for parts etc. If his answers to when they were changed are in line with the condition of the parts, and that ties in with the receipts he ( or she ) has for them, you have nothing to worry about. You will soon smell a rat if doesn't give you straight answers. Also, whilst most garages are very good, just because it has a fully stamped service book, that does not always mean the car has been perfectly looked after. Like every aspect of buying a car, you are trying to get a feel for how it has been looked after.
I personaly, would not be too concerened if on a low milage car the servicing had been done on milage rather than time. However, if the car had gone for much over a year without seeing a garage I would be concerened, and also if there is any doubt over the age of the cambelt, I would do it ( or get it done ) ASAP after buying the car ( and of course, make sure that is taken into account when haggling the price ).
At the end of the day, there are plenty of Imprezas to choose from. If you are not perfectly happy with one, walk away and wait until you find one you are happy with. Most have been owned by enthusiasts. Some have been owned by chav boy racers, and these may be best avoided. The good thing is, they are easy to spot as they positively bristle with chav gear.
I personaly, would not be too concerened if on a low milage car the servicing had been done on milage rather than time. However, if the car had gone for much over a year without seeing a garage I would be concerened, and also if there is any doubt over the age of the cambelt, I would do it ( or get it done ) ASAP after buying the car ( and of course, make sure that is taken into account when haggling the price ).
At the end of the day, there are plenty of Imprezas to choose from. If you are not perfectly happy with one, walk away and wait until you find one you are happy with. Most have been owned by enthusiasts. Some have been owned by chav boy racers, and these may be best avoided. The good thing is, they are easy to spot as they positively bristle with chav gear.
As said, there are plenty about, so if you are unhappy with the service or lack of, then walk away.
My lovely classic (that I have owned for 2.5 years) is serviced by miles, so approx every 9 months it goes to the garage.
I too was fussy about servicing before buying mine.
Too many cars don't have up to date services.
The car I bought had a stamped service book but no actual receipts before the previous owner. I was a little cautious as anyone could stamp a book.
I received letters from the dealers declaring the car had been serviced, which made me feel better(As a rule I keep all receipts).
Good luck with the search.
My lovely classic (that I have owned for 2.5 years) is serviced by miles, so approx every 9 months it goes to the garage.
I too was fussy about servicing before buying mine.
Too many cars don't have up to date services.
The car I bought had a stamped service book but no actual receipts before the previous owner. I was a little cautious as anyone could stamp a book.
I received letters from the dealers declaring the car had been serviced, which made me feel better(As a rule I keep all receipts).
Good luck with the search.
Guys,
thanks to all for the advice - much appreciated !
Stevieb - you mentioned budget. I can go to £8ishk - if it's exactly right, although for this I would go for an RB5, having looked at a couple this is what I fancy. My other option is to spend less - say £5k and get a usual turbo in good nick. It seems to me that the low mileage full history cars are those that sell well and hence a few more quid spent now, will more than come back if a I sell it at some point. I'll probably only put 5K miles on per year, hence I can keep it low miles even after 3 years or so
thanks to all for the advice - much appreciated !
Stevieb - you mentioned budget. I can go to £8ishk - if it's exactly right, although for this I would go for an RB5, having looked at a couple this is what I fancy. My other option is to spend less - say £5k and get a usual turbo in good nick. It seems to me that the low mileage full history cars are those that sell well and hence a few more quid spent now, will more than come back if a I sell it at some point. I'll probably only put 5K miles on per year, hence I can keep it low miles even after 3 years or so
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