how to destroy the value of a Vanquish
Discussion
I am looking at a 2002 Vanquish 2 seater.
Low mileage (25K miles) - however the car is a Japanese import and has absolutely zero service history...and therefore I cannot substantiate the seller's claim that this is a low owner, low mileage car.
Presuming a similar spec (2002...auto....non-S....2 seater) with these miles in otherwise excellent condition asks around 65K....and probably fetches 57K.....what do you think this vehicle is worth given its absence of history, and its Japanese heritage?
I am thinking mid-40's.....after all, it could be the equivalent of a CAT D, but being a jap import I have no ability to identify this (vehicle inspection notwithstanding)
Low mileage (25K miles) - however the car is a Japanese import and has absolutely zero service history...and therefore I cannot substantiate the seller's claim that this is a low owner, low mileage car.
Presuming a similar spec (2002...auto....non-S....2 seater) with these miles in otherwise excellent condition asks around 65K....and probably fetches 57K.....what do you think this vehicle is worth given its absence of history, and its Japanese heritage?
I am thinking mid-40's.....after all, it could be the equivalent of a CAT D, but being a jap import I have no ability to identify this (vehicle inspection notwithstanding)
Might be worth getting an inspection. If the car has missed even its first few services - it could be disastrous. Has it even had the oil changed? I'd be incredibly weary of this. Regardless of how much 'discount' you obtain on purchase, you could easily end up spending that discount on repair work later. You could also talk to Aston and see if they have any history of this car.
Personally - I wouldn't touch it.
Chris.
Personally - I wouldn't touch it.
Chris.
Genuine mileage Japanese sought after cars (eg Skyline GTR/ Supra TT) are being brought in by unscrupulous dealers, clocked, painted and rotten with doctored paperwork.
Use this site.
https://carvx.jp/
It's like a Japanese HPi, it's genuine, inexpensive and will give you the information you require. You`ll get the correct mileage as well as the price it sold for, accident damage, paintwork and whether it's come from a contaminated area (Fukushima nuclear disaster) etc etc.
Use this site.
https://carvx.jp/
It's like a Japanese HPi, it's genuine, inexpensive and will give you the information you require. You`ll get the correct mileage as well as the price it sold for, accident damage, paintwork and whether it's come from a contaminated area (Fukushima nuclear disaster) etc etc.
Ken Figenus said:
Risky..but who'd buy a Vanquish and never service it? The same 10-40 oil lasts 18,000 miles in my oil burner... But why go to the cost of exporting the car with no docs to then take a hit? Hmmmm?
Japanese owners of high end kit do generally service them, and well - their MOT equivalent is significantly more stringent than ours so it pays them to do it.The paperwork they keep may not be the same that we tend to, but that doesn't mean the work's not been done.
Perhaps they are only looking to export because even with the hit in sale price, they can get more for it here than there?
(I sold a classic car that went to Japan - I don't believe the paper history was a key factor at the time).
Don't plan on buying an Aston in the USA, then, since you'll find very few with any service history. Dealers and owners seldom bother with stamping the owner's manual, preferring to keep them in pristine, unused condition. The only way of determining service history is if the owner kept a dossier or if you happen to know the servicing dealer. Sometimes carfax will list dealer visits, giving a hint of being serviced.
I've bought 5 Astons, none of which had more than the initial break in service stamp, and only one of which that had copies of service paperwork. They've all been unabused and perfectly reliable.
I've bought 5 Astons, none of which had more than the initial break in service stamp, and only one of which that had copies of service paperwork. They've all been unabused and perfectly reliable.
Oooh you have brought us back to 'over serviced' cars now! This every 12m thing or its 'worthless' is all a bit silly and certainly not driven by mechanical reasons! I get 18,000 miles out of exact same oil and 3 years from exact same brake fluid in a DD car with more torque than the Aston. I also service it myself for about £100 a time and the 'grown man cry' spark plugs and coils last forever. 
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