Thoughts on Service History?

[mmmunch]

Looked at a 2015 plate Audi Avant, in the colour, spec etc I've been looking for.

However....

Since new, it's never seen inside of an Audi garage for servicing...ever.
Not so worrying in that a service is a service (and you could argue it may be better at a specialist/Indy), but there's no record of it having a first service until 45k....(then 66k, then 87k), so clearly one missing.

I checked with Audi today to confirm there's no record of it being in the network.

The price is good, not not a bargain enough to make me snap it without worrying about potential problems.

I'll do some more digging, but would it be a fed flag to most purchasers?

[scot_aln]

Wasn't in sw supermarket in Peterborough was it? They helpfully let you view the history online and a few cars they have listed had scary gaps like that. When it's only a few years old you kind of expect dealer history.

[Newsboy]

If it bothers you, it will bother other if you bought then sold later

[Al U]

If there is no record of it having it's first service until 45k you have to assume that's the case. Far from ideal really isn't it? You say you have found a car with everything you want but I would disagree, as you clearly want a car with a decent service record, I don't blame you and this car doesn't have one. A 15MY Audi Avant is going to be somewhere above or below £15k I assume depending on mileage. At that price I would want to be totally happy with the car I am driving away with.

I'd carry on with the search and try to be patient if I were you, a better one will come up.

[ahenners]

It's an A4, not a rare car. Find one with a proper service history you're happy with. Also if it's automatic make sure the box has been serviced on schedule too (38k for S Tronic).

[cuprabob]

If you can live with the missing service and the price is right to warrant the risk then go for it, otherwise move on. Also, the missing service will bother others therefore it could prove difficult to sell on.

[snake_oil]

I wouldn't buy it. 2015 car with 90k+ miles and minimal servicing, sounds like it's lived a hard life.

[borcy]

Is it in a dealers? If so ask them. Our last car had some missing services, it was just a case of getting in touch with the previous owner who found some misplaced paperwork.

[anonymous-user]

snake_oil said:

I wouldn't buy it. 2015 car with 90k+ miles and minimal servicing, sounds like it's lived a hard life.

At 90k I would say not having stamp makes little difference as if it did it would have manifested already. It was likely done by Halfords.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm assuming there are no receipts of any service work being done (stamps mean little to me) which for me would have me walking away unless the price was very good.

[mmmunch]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the responses.

There's paperwork for all the services from 45k, it's just the first that's missing (either paperwork or actual service).
I've got the details of the garage that completed all the subsequent services so I give them a call in the hope it was done there-however not open on Saturday so a job for Monday.

There's others about that don't tick all the boxes, but it's the difference between a 15 plate and a 63.

Thanks, J

[Red 4]

mmmunch said:

Hi all,

Thanks for all the responses.

There's paperwork for all the services from 45k, it's just the first that's missing (either paperwork or actual service).
I've got the details of the garage that completed all the subsequent services so I give them a call in the hope it was done there-however not open on Saturday so a job for Monday.

There's others about that don't tick all the boxes, but it's the difference between a 15 plate and a 63.

Thanks, J

Sorry mate, I don't quite understand this.

Are you saying you'd prefer a 15 plate car with missing service history over a 63 plate car with history ?

It seems an odd rationale to me. I'd take the older car if it was a better one !

I know Audi recommend 19k between services on cars with bigger annual mileages but that does seem a long time to me.

I don't think I could live with myself if I stuck to that schedule, never mind 45k !

Oh, and even if the car had a first service my maths tells me it's still gone over the recommended longer service interval.

I'd walk. Find another one.

Edited by Red 4 on Saturday 31st August 11:51

[Dsdans]

Why is a missing first service such a scary prospect if it's been well serviced since then and has no current issues?

Asking for my own knowledge..

[Red 4]

Dsdans said:

Why is a missing first service such a scary prospect if it's been well serviced since then and has no current issues?

Asking for my own knowledge..

Because it's potentially 45,000 miles covered with no maintenance (or even an oil change).

It's a fair point though if the car seems OK.

I suppose you won't know if any damage/ excess wear was caused until it's too late.

The question is - would you take the risk ? The car is on 90k miles with a sketchy history.

That's acceptable for a shed, not for something you're paying good money for IMO.

Even if the car had a first service it's still gone over the recommended service interval based on mileage.

Edited to add - some of these Audis use lots of oil.

My neighbours' A5 used a litre every 1k miles.

Audi said that was normal !

Personally, I don't think some Audi engines are very good.

I wouldn't want to add to any potential issues caused by lack of basic maintenance.

Edited by Red 4 on Saturday 31st August 13:35