Would you buy a car with no service history?
Discussion
As per the thread title. Just had a look and drive in a E36 BMW 328i. One owner from new, reasonable condition throughout, 207000kms nothing broken and drives/steers/stops as good as could be expected.
But it has no service history at all. Owner has used a trusted mechanic and says I should give him a call for a run down on whats happened over the past 16 years.
At this age it's all about condition rather than mileage or whatever, but with no history does that still hold true? And would you buy any car with a complete absence of written history??
But it has no service history at all. Owner has used a trusted mechanic and says I should give him a call for a run down on whats happened over the past 16 years.
At this age it's all about condition rather than mileage or whatever, but with no history does that still hold true? And would you buy any car with a complete absence of written history??
Why not give the mechanic a call? Maybe they are a modern garage with everything on a computer system they can print off for you.. Atleast some of the more recent stuff.
I think the fact that he's not even trying to make stuff up to tell you probably proves he is genuine. Most sellers spout a load of crap and hope you dont question it.
I think the fact that he's not even trying to make stuff up to tell you probably proves he is genuine. Most sellers spout a load of crap and hope you dont question it.
I'd call the mechanic, you might find a gem that everyone else is avoiding. I've serviced cars and not kept records (i was never into the write everything down in a notebook thing), and they've been well looked after, any rattle squeak or other noise investigated, and made good if necessary.
I think the biggest thing I'd be bothered about is honestly whether belts have been done or not, and that it'd be OK to say no rather than let me think otherwise
I think the biggest thing I'd be bothered about is honestly whether belts have been done or not, and that it'd be OK to say no rather than let me think otherwise
My latest acquisition has no paperwork with it at all, other than a current MOT certificate.
I'd advise you inspect any common problems with the car. Lift the oil filler - surfaces clean inside the rocker cover? How new does the filter housing look?
You can tell an awful lot by those things, and the condition of the car / what works.
For mine, I gave it a full service, timing belt and waterpump change and then got on with driving it. Spot on so far.
I'd advise you inspect any common problems with the car. Lift the oil filler - surfaces clean inside the rocker cover? How new does the filter housing look?
You can tell an awful lot by those things, and the condition of the car / what works.
For mine, I gave it a full service, timing belt and waterpump change and then got on with driving it. Spot on so far.
If you have access to someone who knows cars inside out and can perform a through appraisal of the condition that the car is in right now... and you're planning on keeping the car so you don't have to try to persuade a future buyer that it's sound... and the price reflects the absence of a service history... and it's a car you really want... then why not? I'd do it as I know someone who could examine it thoroughly. If you want something classic that you're planning on keeping for life then in could be the way to a bargain.
I would have a similar issue if I ever sold my MX5, its been serviced by carefully selected specialist mechanics/garages every 4-5k miles since its second dealer service but I don't have records of any of the services, in fact I have few records for any of the modifications and other work I've had done.
The last 3 have been done by a mate who is an experienced VW mechanic who has done it in his spare time. I just buy the lubricants/parts and he does the work at mates rates.
Maybe the BMW owner does things in a similar way, would probably be sensible to get it looked over by someone who knows BMW's though.
The last 3 have been done by a mate who is an experienced VW mechanic who has done it in his spare time. I just buy the lubricants/parts and he does the work at mates rates.
Maybe the BMW owner does things in a similar way, would probably be sensible to get it looked over by someone who knows BMW's though.
Any old car will be a bit of a gamble anyway - you might have full service history right up until the car lunches itself. And given that the E36 328 is a well respected and reliable car, I wouldn't have too much problem - but if you can't prove it's had a recent service, then get a big service done ASAP.
My XJ had no service history whatsoever, but the AJ16 engine has a fantastic reputation. It had a new MOT, and some old tax discs. That was all. The paintwork was a bit rough, and the driver's seat was worn - but it was the cheapest on Autotrader at the time. I had the fluids and filters changed and the bodywork sorted, and it was perfect for the 7 years I owned it.
The CL had some severe gaps in its service history, but was in very good condition, with decent tyres on it, and it had just had a small service. It's 15 years old, so I took the risk. As it turned out, the aircon condenser had a slight leak, and the oil guides needed replacing on one bank. Since then it's been perfect.
My XJ had no service history whatsoever, but the AJ16 engine has a fantastic reputation. It had a new MOT, and some old tax discs. That was all. The paintwork was a bit rough, and the driver's seat was worn - but it was the cheapest on Autotrader at the time. I had the fluids and filters changed and the bodywork sorted, and it was perfect for the 7 years I owned it.
The CL had some severe gaps in its service history, but was in very good condition, with decent tyres on it, and it had just had a small service. It's 15 years old, so I took the risk. As it turned out, the aircon condenser had a slight leak, and the oil guides needed replacing on one bank. Since then it's been perfect.
People put too much store in a service history, especially one from a main dealer, I have heard people say after a failure of some component or other "But it has a full service history" like it is some kind of warranty, most car owners if handed back a car that has been valeted and no mechanical work done would think it was a wonderful job.
I tend to buy on condition and to be honest am more impressed by a wadge of bills from motor factors and whatever than just a fully stamped book, all part of a picture ou build about a car and the decision or not to buy it, at 130k as has been said, someone must have done some maintenance.
I tend to buy on condition and to be honest am more impressed by a wadge of bills from motor factors and whatever than just a fully stamped book, all part of a picture ou build about a car and the decision or not to buy it, at 130k as has been said, someone must have done some maintenance.
J4CKO said:
People put too much store in a service history, especially one from a main dealer, I have heard people say after a failure of some component or other "But it has a full service history" like it is some kind of warranty, most car owners if handed back a car that has been valeted and no mechanical work done would think it was a wonderful job.
I tend to buy on condition and to be honest am more impressed by a wadge of bills from motor factors and whatever than just a fully stamped book, all part of a picture ou build about a car and the decision or not to buy it, at 130k as has been said, someone must have done some maintenance.
Agree. I have very little faith in dealer servicing tbh. and tend to do all the work myself these days. First service on one of my previous motorcycles once out the warranty period revealed factory paint still over screw heads that held on components that had to be removed to carry out the servicing but hey, the service book was stamped. Another time, different bike, different dealer I spotted someone I knew just after collecting the bike from its service so stopped for a chat. Good job I did as we both saw the pool of oil under the bike. Sump plug wasn't tightened.... Again, service book was stamped.....Mazda were no better with the car and that's been maintained by me since the warranty period and currently has 307k miles on he clock. I tend to buy on condition and to be honest am more impressed by a wadge of bills from motor factors and whatever than just a fully stamped book, all part of a picture ou build about a car and the decision or not to buy it, at 130k as has been said, someone must have done some maintenance.
Buy on current condition. A good look over will soon show if the car was loved or not. Ideally it would be nice to see receipts but it's not the end of the world if he has none.
I rather naively bought my car last year with minimal service history and have had no problems. Bought on 100k now at 108, only things I've needed to do is to change a coolant hose clip and a subframe bolt.
Wouldn't necessarily do the same again, as others have said though, the fact it's done the mileage suggests it's been well maintained
Wouldn't necessarily do the same again, as others have said though, the fact it's done the mileage suggests it's been well maintained
With a car this old and with a generally good reputation then I wouldn't worry too much as long as it's priced right. With this high milage I would kind of expect a lot smallish issues to be creeping through like suspension joints and bushings, possibility of needing new brakes etc, but even a car with a regularly serviced engine will still need these things sorted. If it does go wrong then there are plenty of spare parts available or you can easily flog it to someone as a track slag.
Buy it and start a readers car topic so we can see your progress
Buy it and start a readers car topic so we can see your progress
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff