Buying MX-5 - How important is service history?
Discussion
Found a mk2 that is nearby and in budget. It's a 2003 model 1.8i with 70k miles on the clock.
Only problem is that the owner hasn't serviced it which means its last service was at 26k miles. Since then, the owner has replaced all four brake pads and two callipers.
It's an hours drive away so what are your thoughts - is it even worth looking at or would 40,000 miles without a service put you off straight away?
If I do go see it, anything I should check given this lack of servicing? Finally, what would you expect to pay for such an example?
Cheers,
.b
Only problem is that the owner hasn't serviced it which means its last service was at 26k miles. Since then, the owner has replaced all four brake pads and two callipers.
It's an hours drive away so what are your thoughts - is it even worth looking at or would 40,000 miles without a service put you off straight away?
If I do go see it, anything I should check given this lack of servicing? Finally, what would you expect to pay for such an example?
Cheers,
.b
I guess its a personal thing.
Buying any imported mk1 you run the risk of no service history.
Your main concern will be that you will have to fork out to service it. It’s easy enough to do your self, and cheap enough. If it were me I wouldn’t touch it for the simple fact that if the owner couldn’t be bothered to service it then they clearly haven't looked after the car so what else might be wrong.
Buying any imported mk1 you run the risk of no service history.
Your main concern will be that you will have to fork out to service it. It’s easy enough to do your self, and cheap enough. If it were me I wouldn’t touch it for the simple fact that if the owner couldn’t be bothered to service it then they clearly haven't looked after the car so what else might be wrong.
Is it really 40k without a service or just 40k without a dealer service and stamp in the book? Has it had oil/oil filter/air filter/fuel filter/belts/spark plugs etc. changed or at least inspected in that time?
Mine was last dealer serviced at something like 15k and it now has 68k. That doesn't mean it hasn't been serviced, just that I've done it all myself so there are no stamps in the book so that's over 50k without a dealer service. In fact mine is probably serviced a lot more often and in more detail than it would if it had been dealer serviced.
Mine was last dealer serviced at something like 15k and it now has 68k. That doesn't mean it hasn't been serviced, just that I've done it all myself so there are no stamps in the book so that's over 50k without a dealer service. In fact mine is probably serviced a lot more often and in more detail than it would if it had been dealer serviced.
MX-5 Lazza said:
Is it really 40k without a service or just 40k without a dealer service and stamp in the book? Has it had oil/oil filter/air filter/fuel filter/belts/spark plugs etc. changed or at least inspected in that time?
Mine was last dealer serviced at something like 15k and it now has 68k. That doesn't mean it hasn't been serviced, just that I've done it all myself so there are no stamps in the book so that's over 50k without a dealer service. In fact mine is probably serviced a lot more often and in more detail than it would if it had been dealer serviced.
I'm guessing it's without anything - surely the seller would have said "no service history BUT I did..." if that was the case.Mine was last dealer serviced at something like 15k and it now has 68k. That doesn't mean it hasn't been serviced, just that I've done it all myself so there are no stamps in the book so that's over 50k without a dealer service. In fact mine is probably serviced a lot more often and in more detail than it would if it had been dealer serviced.
As garrykiller points out, if he hasn't serviced it, I doubt he's maintained the car well. He is very keen to say it has 4 new tyres at every opportunity though!
It's a well known fact cars are meant to be serviced; basics like an oil change help the car stay alive. If it has indeed not been serviced in 40k miles, even on the ultra bombproof engine in the '5 I wouldn't touch it, considering there are thousands of the buggers out there.
However; never confused not being serviced with no service history - completely different kettle of fish.
Mine is serviced more often / better than a dealer would do it
However; never confused not being serviced with no service history - completely different kettle of fish.
Mine is serviced more often / better than a dealer would do it
Riknos said:
However; never confused not being serviced with no service history - completely different kettle of fish.
Mine is serviced more often / better than a dealer would do it
Which is the point I was making. I think I'd take a look at it but make sure I take a good look at the engine. Check the oil level and colour, take a look at the air filter, take a very close listen to the engine, that sort of thing. If it really hasn't had so much as an oil change in 40k miles it should be easy enough to see.Mine is serviced more often / better than a dealer would do it
MX-5 Lazza said:
Riknos said:
However; never confused not being serviced with no service history - completely different kettle of fish.
Mine is serviced more often / better than a dealer would do it
Which is the point I was making. I think I'd take a look at it but make sure I take a good look at the engine. Check the oil level and colour, take a look at the air filter, take a very close listen to the engine, that sort of thing. If it really hasn't had so much as an oil change in 40k miles it should be easy enough to see.Mine is serviced more often / better than a dealer would do it
.blue said:
I'm guessing it's without anything - surely the seller would have said "no service history BUT I did..." if that was the case.
As garrykiller points out, if he hasn't serviced it, I doubt he's maintained the car well. He is very keen to say it has 4 new tyres at every opportunity though!
If that is the case you're better off finding one that has been serviced, thats the beauty of 5s there's so many to choose from. He probably keeps mentioning the tyres because it's the only thing he's spent money on!As garrykiller points out, if he hasn't serviced it, I doubt he's maintained the car well. He is very keen to say it has 4 new tyres at every opportunity though!
MX-5 Lazza said:
Is it really 40k without a service or just 40k without a dealer service and stamp in the book? Has it had oil/oil filter/air filter/fuel filter/belts/spark plugs etc. changed or at least inspected in that time?
Mine was last dealer serviced at something like 15k and it now has 68k. That doesn't mean it hasn't been serviced, just that I've done it all myself so there are no stamps in the book so that's over 50k without a dealer service. In fact mine is probably serviced a lot more often and in more detail than it would if it had been dealer serviced.
If a car were serviced by the owner then more often than not they usually keep the receipts for serviceable items to show when and what was done, which is often the case with older cars. As has been said there are plenty of mk2's out there, so unless it's really cheap I'd look for one that's been looked after.Mine was last dealer serviced at something like 15k and it now has 68k. That doesn't mean it hasn't been serviced, just that I've done it all myself so there are no stamps in the book so that's over 50k without a dealer service. In fact mine is probably serviced a lot more often and in more detail than it would if it had been dealer serviced.
If its cheap ,oil is clean ,drives well , rust free and looks like a well looked after example ,then all you have to do is get cam belt and ancillaries done and you're sorted .Even with a car with decent SH you can easily come a cropper if corners have been cut -ie it depends who has serviced the car .
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