Discussion
Most the cars I’m going to see have not seen many miles put on them in the last few years so although hey have been serviced at correct 6k intervals the last service may have been 5 or 6 years ago - would this concern you ?
The tyres may have a good 5mm of tread but again due to the low miles may be pretty old, one I now has tyres about 7 years old - I’m thinking it will need a new set or am I being too cautious?
The tyres may have a good 5mm of tread but again due to the low miles may be pretty old, one I now has tyres about 7 years old - I’m thinking it will need a new set or am I being too cautious?
The service intervals are 6000 miles OR 12 months. 
If a cars not seen some sort of fluid change for 5 years I'd steer well clear.
Tyres do have a date of manufacture on them but a visual check of the sidewalls should indicate if they are past their best, if in doubt budget for a set.
A car thats been sat for 5 years is boardering on 'barn find' it would have to very cheap as the bills that it may be hiding from the lack of use/serviceing could well be HUGH!
If a cars not seen some sort of fluid change for 5 years I'd steer well clear.
Tyres do have a date of manufacture on them but a visual check of the sidewalls should indicate if they are past their best, if in doubt budget for a set.
A car thats been sat for 5 years is boardering on 'barn find' it would have to very cheap as the bills that it may be hiding from the lack of use/serviceing could well be HUGH!
raceboy said:
The service intervals are 6000 miles OR 12 months.
If a cars not seen some sort of fluid change for 5 years I'd steer well clear.
Tyres do have a date of manufacture on them but a visual check of the sidewalls should indicate if they are past their best, if in doubt budget for a set.
A car thats been sat for 5 years is boardering on 'barn find' it would have to very cheap as the bills that it may be hiding from the lack of use/serviceing could well be HUGH!
I'd certainly be very circumspect with a car virtually 'laid-up' for 5 years.If a cars not seen some sort of fluid change for 5 years I'd steer well clear.
Tyres do have a date of manufacture on them but a visual check of the sidewalls should indicate if they are past their best, if in doubt budget for a set.
A car thats been sat for 5 years is boardering on 'barn find' it would have to very cheap as the bills that it may be hiding from the lack of use/serviceing could well be HUGH!
I think the usual precautions of a thorough inspection and listen to the engine taken through a 'heat-cycle'(from cold) checking exhaust colour, noises, rad fans cutting in, etc, is the minimum. I always think your impression of the owner helps too!
Check tyres in between the tread for cracking too.
Nick
Oh no my car must be knackered then 
I had my last stamped service at 48,000 miles and it was the full monty with all fluids changed, diff oil etc etc - that was from memory in 2007. I think the car is now on 50,500 and has spent much of its time sat undercover in the workshop, why on earth should there be anything major wrong with it? It gets a run once in a while, and gets started up and idled for a bit if it hasn't been out and about for a bit either. Just becuase it has been doing a few hundred miles miles a year doesn't mean its deteriorating and needs avoiding ..as it goes I am spending £1500 on it this month on Shocks, Wishbones, Droplinks, balljoints, ARB bsuhes and a chassis re-paint - no service stamp for that either mind you
Cheers,
Matt.
I had my last stamped service at 48,000 miles and it was the full monty with all fluids changed, diff oil etc etc - that was from memory in 2007. I think the car is now on 50,500 and has spent much of its time sat undercover in the workshop, why on earth should there be anything major wrong with it? It gets a run once in a while, and gets started up and idled for a bit if it hasn't been out and about for a bit either. Just becuase it has been doing a few hundred miles miles a year doesn't mean its deteriorating and needs avoiding ..as it goes I am spending £1500 on it this month on Shocks, Wishbones, Droplinks, balljoints, ARB bsuhes and a chassis re-paint - no service stamp for that either mind you
Cheers,
Matt.
ewan221 said:
Most the cars I’m going to see have not seen many miles put on them in the last few years so although hey have been serviced at correct 6k intervals the last service may have been 5 or 6 years ago - would this concern you ?
The tyres may have a good 5mm of tread but again due to the low miles may be pretty old, one I now has tyres about 7 years old - I’m thinking it will need a new set or am I being too cautious?
I would not go just on service history, there are so many other variables to consider.Service history/old mot sheets can help to verify mileage, but in my opinion thats it.The tyres may have a good 5mm of tread but again due to the low miles may be pretty old, one I now has tyres about 7 years old - I’m thinking it will need a new set or am I being too cautious?
I have seen cars with full service history that were, to but it bluntly c
p.I would view every car carefully, and as others have said, conversation with many questions to the actual seller.
I doubt you will find the "perfect" car, but the cost of rectifying any issues can be reflected in the price.
I purchased my chim almost 3 years ago, i inspected it carefully and there was plenty of rust etc on the chassis. This was pointed out to the seller and a
price was agreed to reflect the fact that a full bodylift/outrigger replacement would be needed sooner rather than later.All problems can be overcome but the price should reflect this.I would say that these cars are better the more they are used. I sorn mine for six months, and when sorned the car would be perfect, but six months later when i start to use it again there quickly develops a list of "to do" jobs to get it back to its pre-sorn running condition.I.M.O service history is a good thing, but not the deciding factor.In my ownership my car has no "official" service history as i have done it myself. This may put some buyers off, but if they took the time to come and view, look at all the detailed photos etc of the chassis rebuild, and generally talk to me about all the work done on my car, then this would be worth twice any stamped service history.My car is not for sale,i just used myself as an example.Good luck in your search, Tom.
Edited by TJC46 on Tuesday 6th September 12:14
Service history is not a deal breaker for the cars I’m looking at - I would be more than happy to see evidence that its been well looked after by an enthusiastic owner. The concern I have with cars that have basically been stored for a number of years was my experience with a TR7 I bought a few years back, the car was immaculate, regularly serviced even though it hardly moved but once I started using it regular just about everything systematically packed in !!!!!
One car now crossed off list as the owner being very reluctant to answer any questions just saying you will have to assess for your self and I cant offer an opinion on that !!!!! I understand that they dont want to give false information but I realy need a bit more before I drive for 250 miles to see a car
One car now crossed off list as the owner being very reluctant to answer any questions just saying you will have to assess for your self and I cant offer an opinion on that !!!!! I understand that they dont want to give false information but I realy need a bit more before I drive for 250 miles to see a car
Would agree fully with your last post.A car thats used for 6 months of the year or so should not be a problem, but a car that has been stored for a "few" years would be a different proposition. Perished rubber bushes,brake and clutch seals etc, etc. As said in my earlier post, these cars need to be used.
Personally I'd go for a car that I was comfortable with - and that menas one thats been regularly used and serviced. A little used car often will suffer many problems with rubber pipes, seals, gaskets, tyres etc.
Not sure what your budget is but what about this one from James Agger - http://www.jamesagger.com/used_cars/stocklistgalle...
Or this one from Sebring;
http://www.sebringinternational.co.uk/pre-owned_tv...
Both of the above companies I'd recommend in an instant and the quality of their cars is superb.
Not sure what your budget is but what about this one from James Agger - http://www.jamesagger.com/used_cars/stocklistgalle...
Or this one from Sebring;
http://www.sebringinternational.co.uk/pre-owned_tv...
Both of the above companies I'd recommend in an instant and the quality of their cars is superb.
Mines done 26k in 13 yrs, so thats 2k per year average,its been used every year without fail and mines being used for school runs again now so its started up everyday which does it good. It still comes down to buy on condition, or from an owner who knows Tvrs,mine was sold by James Agger 2 years ago and yes the quality of his cars are top notch,but you will pay more for it. Mines up for sale on here now alot less than it was sold by James Agger 2 years ago, and if anything the car has only been improved since then. All cars need regular use,but anything thats stood for years will always need recomissioning of some kind.
my car is serviced every 12 months. I average about 1k miles a year or less.Thats how it should be. Dont forget a service will show up other problems too and help eliminate break-downs due to the inspection they get from a expert.
Edited by showcase on Thursday 8th September 08:32
Edited by showcase on Thursday 8th September 08:34
[i] I average about 1k miles a year or less.Thats how it should be.[i]
I'm sorry, I disagree. For all the reasons stated previously, a car should be used. Each to their own though, but I don't see the point in having a £10K, £20K car tucked up in a garage for most of the year. Life's too short, and they are such great cars to drive.
Nick
nawarne said:
[i] I average about 1k miles a year or less.Thats how it should be.[i]
I'm sorry, I disagree. For all the reasons stated previously, a car should be used. Each to their own though, but I don't see the point in having a £10K, £20K car tucked up in a garage for most of the year. Life's too short, and they are such great cars to drive.
Nick
Sorry you miss-understand, i meant serviced every year minimum ,that's how it should be . Not that's how many miles you should do !. I agree they should be driven as much as possible. I just don't have the time to drive mine all the time. ( mainly summer use only). But I would still insist on a annual service no matter how many miles has been done.I'm sorry, I disagree. For all the reasons stated previously, a car should be used. Each to their own though, but I don't see the point in having a £10K, £20K car tucked up in a garage for most of the year. Life's too short, and they are such great cars to drive.
Nick
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