2009 Mazda 6 TS 1.8 with no service history. Thoughts?

2009 Mazda 6 TS 1.8 with no service history. Thoughts?

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frig2

Original Poster:

5 posts

76 months

Friday 24th November 2017
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Hi guys,

I'm on the look for a car and have come across a 2009 Mazda 6 TS 1.8 with 81000 miles on the clock for £2995. Went to view the car and its in decent condition; a few scratches along the exterior and interior, but nothing I'm too fussed about. It drove great and all liquid levels seemed to be up to standard, no visible leaks, no weird sounds bar the front suspension and sqeaking breaks that the dealer promised he would fix for me.

The only thing bugging me is that there is no evidence of a service history. There are no stamps or receipts in the booklet and I called up an official Mazda dealer and they told me the reg plate had no history on it at all (through the digital registry) except for the actual original sale. Normally this would put me completely off, however I also checked the MOT history and it has passed clean every year with barely any advisories at all. This to me suggests that the car somehow must have been regularly serviced, maybe just from independent operators.

I told the dealer and he said he would service the car and get me an official stamp as well as include a year MOT. My thoughts are to try and haggle the price down due to the lack of history, however I'm still a bit reluctant, it seems like a fairly good deal but for all I know I could be walking into a mechanical pricey nightmare.

What are you thoughts on this? Anyone ever been in a similar situation where there's been no service history yet a spotless MOT history?

Also if you have any other suggestions for a similar sized car around my budget, ideally not older than 08/09 and less than 100k miles, feel free to let me know.

Thanks in advance!

Bill

52,482 posts

254 months

Friday 24th November 2017
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That seems steep. We got a 07 2l on 63k for £1850 a year ago with FSH.

A500leroy

5,085 posts

117 months

Friday 24th November 2017
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At this age/ price level look with your eyes as you have done should tell you all you need to know, Mazda are normally bullet proof so it's one of the better brands to take a risk on, I'd be happier at around 2-2.3k however.

If it has a cambelt get that done as part of the deal, a bit cheeky but ask if you could look at the old oil when it's changed to assess its condition, modern cars can go many miles without spark/glow plug changes.

The other thing I'd check is coolant strength and maybe condition of the brake fluid.

steve-5snwi

8,593 posts

92 months

Friday 24th November 2017
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Pretty sure they are timing chains and without the right oil at the right time they have been know to stretch.

frig2

Original Poster:

5 posts

76 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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Bill said:
That seems steep. We got a 07 2l on 63k for £1850 a year ago with FSH.
Oh really? I've been looking through most of the online car sales and this was by far the newest/lowest mileage one I could find at that price. I'm not really interested in anything older than 08/09, but sounds like I could definitely keep my eyes open for something else.

Also, slightly unrelated, but how do used dealers normally respond to haggling here in the UK? I've never bought a used car from a dealer here before so any tips would be appreciated.

Roger Irrelevant

2,899 posts

112 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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A500leroy said:
At this age/ price level look with your eyes as you have done should tell you all you need to know
Agreed. I've always bought older cars with the mantra that if it looks right, sounds right and drives right then it's probably alright. Never been overly bothered with service history, the only thing I might check is if the cambelt's been done if it's close to the mileage when that's due. Haven't been burned yet with this approach.

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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Why risk 3k on a common car with no evidence of servicing?

Just find another unless it’s seriously cheap.

If it was a 1 or 2 k spotter, then maybe.

texaxile

3,289 posts

149 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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The 6’s seem pretty tough. Ours has only needed a front spring (apart from servicing items) since we’ve had it in 12 years and the best part of 140k. My dad also has one and it’s been faultless since he purchased it . It’s odd that Mazda have no history, some dealers are more helpful than others when it comes to this, though as even the 1st service should be recorded on the Mazda records.

Saying that, if you do decide to get one check the drivers seat frame as they’re notorious for breaking, otherwise they’re pretty solid cars, if a little uninspiring. That does seem high for a 6, higher still considering no service history despite clean MOT passes etc.

Might be worth searching some more, they’re common enough so getting a really decent example should be easy. They are damn good cars, the only issues being the older ones (before 07) suffering from dodgy wheelarch liners which leads to rotten arches and sills at the rear (like ours).

ph9

221 posts

93 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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Do you know how many owners it's had? It seems strange it's not had at least one service, but perhaps the first owner did their own servicing and thought they'd have it for a long time, in which case the service history might not matter. Is it possible to contact a previous owner?

frig2

Original Poster:

5 posts

76 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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Thanks for your input guys. I do agree that £3k seems too high for a car with no service history. Mazda did record one service in 2009, but nothing since. I believe the car has had 2 owners, but this also needs to be confirmed.

I think what I'll do is offer £2k and see where that takes me. He said a few people had been looking at it, however considering how rusty the break disks were during my test drive I have a feeling no one has driven that car in quite some time, so hopefully he wants to get rid of it.

eltax91

9,842 posts

205 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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frig2 said:
Thanks for your input guys. I do agree that £3k seems too high for a car with no service history. Mazda did record one service in 2009, but nothing since. I believe the car has had 2 owners, but this also needs to be confirmed.

I think what I'll do is offer £2k and see where that takes me. He said a few people had been looking at it, however considering how rusty the break disks were during my test drive I have a feeling no one has driven that car in quite some time, so hopefully he wants to get rid of it.
Sure, a ‘few’ people have been looking at it. That’s true if every car on his lot, even the one in the back row with 2 flat tyres and seized on brakes. the sales patter will have it as test driven yesterday and the buyer is on his way down as we speak with his deposit. hehe

_Nathan_

505 posts

247 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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£3k for a £900 car...

frig2

Original Poster:

5 posts

76 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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_Nathan_ said:
£3k for a £900 car...
What makes you determine its worth £900? Not trying to be difficult I'm honestly interested in your opinions hence by post here before doing something potentially stupid.

imck

778 posts

106 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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I bought a 2008 2.5 Petrol earlier this Year after a lot of searching on various Sites.

£3K is a little on the high side for the mileage. Not too bad though.
Just look on Autotrader. The cheap ones are cheap for a reason. No MOT, High Miles

Someone mentioned the Driver Seat Frame.
There is currently a recall for Tailgate Struts and Seat Frame.

frig2

Original Poster:

5 posts

76 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
quotequote all
imck said:
I bought a 2008 2.5 Petrol earlier this Year after a lot of searching on various Sites.

£3K is a little on the high side for the mileage. Not too bad though.
Just look on Autotrader. The cheap ones are cheap for a reason. No MOT, High Miles

Someone mentioned the Driver Seat Frame.
There is currently a recall for Tailgate Struts and Seat Frame.
Thanks for the info. May I ask what you paid for it? Also how has it been running? Yes I'm aware of the driver seat frame, and the driver seat is indeed a bit loose, however the seller said he would fix it for me if I go ahead with the purchase.

imck

778 posts

106 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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£4500. It is the 2.5 Sport Hatch and had 70K Miles when I got it.
They are a bit more pricey than the 1.8 and 2.0. TS and TS2
Saloons are usually a bit cheaper but less practical.

Have a minor hesitation but generally no problems in 9 Months.
Had to have the Seat Frame fixed for the recent MOT - Couldn't get booked into Mazda for the recall in time.
I do 30 Miles/Day in it. A lot in Traffic and get 30mpg.

I always like to be aware of any faults on Cars I own so read the relevant Forums.
No inherent faults on the Mazda 6 Petrols that I am aware of. Some on both 2.0 and 2.2 Diesels.
Usual bushes, drop links, etc as found on most Cars.

Did some research when looking and the 1.8 is supposed to be decent Engine.




texaxile

3,289 posts

149 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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To be honest it's probably worth looking out for one with a half decent service history, or if you manage to get it for the 2 grand then chuck a couple of hundred at a big service.

As an example, ours is done at an Indy these days and a full plugs / oil / filters / grease up comes in at about £130 inc the VAT, so hardly coronary inducing. The 1.8's are cam chain but get it checked out. Ours is fine and dandy at 140k and it's still on the same serpentine belt (touch wood).

I can't tell you how to spend your cash, but I doubt they'll accept 2 grand, in which case I'd have a look around on Ebay and pick up a half decent one, i've actually been looking this afternoon and there's a few on there worth a punt.

Red 4

10,744 posts

186 months

Saturday 25th November 2017
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Check it hasn't been on a private plate at some time.

The Mazda Digital Service Record may be on a different VRM.

A free Car Data Check report will tell you.

It does sound a bit pricey for a '6 - good cars but they don't hold their money well. Make sure you have a good look around underneath, some are rustier than others.

Edited by Red 4 on Saturday 25th November 23:25