Buying an old car with part service history

[HenRotary16]

So I'm looking at buying a rareish old car this weekend ('97 reg) for £2500.
The guy has had it from new, and it has always passed every MOT and never had a single advisory. I went down to see it last week, but it had a private plate on it so he needed to take it off before I could purchase it. He had it serviced up to 2008 from the main dealer when it had 63,000 miles on the clock.

Since then he claims to have it serviced every year, but binned the paperwork because he put it with his business and when he retired he binned everything business related.
I left a £50 deposit that he wanted to change the registration plate. When I went home, I thought I'd ring and see if he'd put a new MOT on the car as it runs out in December and the reply I got was "The way I see it the deal is already done.".

He's now insisting that it's to be paid by cash only saying "Autotrader recommends using cash, and my bank is being funny about it" which is obviously a load of s***.
This is kind of putting me off after we agreed last week that bank transfer would be fine.

I find the guy a bit dodgy, but the car is in such pristine condition zero rust, drives well, and never any advisories I'm inclined to believe him about getting it serviced.

I'm not sure whether to buy it on the condition of the car, or just run away.

[55palfers]

Will he tell you the name of the garage that did the servicing?

Failing that, get an AA / RAC inspection done for peace of mind?

[HenRotary16]

55palfers said:

Will he tell you the name of the garage that did the servicing?

Failing that, get an AA / RAC inspection done for peace of mind?

IIRC the car was MOT'd at two local garages after 2008, I can't remember the names but they're on the MOT certificates. I imagine I could ring the garages if he either gives me the names or I look at the MOT paperwork.

I don't think there's anything wrong, but more eyes couldn't hurt. I don't think AA will do it to a 21 year old car, I'll have a look at RAC.

[Butter Face]

It’s a 21 year old car. Service history is all but irrelevant.

And he’s right, you’d done a deal, leaving a deposit then asking for a new MOT etc is bad form IMO.

Just buy the car, if it’s that special and rare just get it bought, give the guy the cash and drive it.

[Pericoloso]

One owner ,pristine condition ,zero rust.

If it's what you want ,just buy it ,may not be able to find another with all the above.

What car is it BTW ?....

[steveo3002]

if its passed its mot without comment every year and checks out condition wise go for it ...give it a full serivce when you get it and enjoy

[Nickp82]

1997 car with one owner and not a single MOT advisory? Sounds like a gem to me, unless the business the seller owned was an MOT station!

Asking for an MOT after the deal is done is pretty poor form, either go ahead with the deal as agreed or wave goodbye to your £50 and move on.

[OverSteery]

HenRotary16 said:

I left a £50 deposit ...

Then be a man of your word and buy it as agreed.

Sounds like a good one, but it's too late to worry about that now.

If paying cash is deal breaker and it's clear you agreed a bank transfer, then you need to go back to him and tell him so. Whether he will refund the £50 will depend if he takes his word seriously - what goes around....

Edited by OverSteery on Friday 19th October 10:27

[R4PID]

Just get it bought.

[HenRotary16]

Cheers guys, I just thought what the hell and bought the car.
It's really nice to drive.

Pericoloso said:

One owner ,pristine condition ,zero rust.

If it's what you want ,just buy it ,may not be able to find another with all the above.

What car is it BTW ?....

It's an old Mazda MX6.

[DickyC]

HenRotary16 said:

It's an old Mazda MX6.

Not a diesel I hope.

[Butter Face]

HenRotary16 said:

It's an old Mazda MX6.

Haven’t seen one for years! V6?

[HenRotary16]

Yes, it's the 2.5L V6 Petrol.
The advert is still up actually.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[t400ble]

Get it bough or find another

[Mr Tidy]

HenRotary16 said:

Yes, it's the 2.5L V6 Petrol.
The advert is still up actually.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Lovely - that doesn't sound dear for a 1 owner rust-free 20 year old example!

Hope you enjoy it.

Sadly the advert is gone now.