Too many owners? Put off?
Discussion
Looking at potentially buying from a private owner. A 2016 Mazda MX5, 2.0 Sport Nav, soft top and covered 41,000 miles. It has a full Mazda service history on time and priced at £11,100. It’s strongly priced so done a HPI on it and found that I would be the 4th owner if I taken it, and also, it was an ex demo initially. Those points are putting me off, but it’s strongly priced (I can see why). Am I freaking out over nothing? Haven’t test driven yet but looks spotless and new tyres and brakes all round, never any advisories on MOT.
Would the fact it has so many owners and an ex demo out anyone else off? Or if it drives fine and looks sound then go for it?
Thanks.
Would the fact it has so many owners and an ex demo out anyone else off? Or if it drives fine and looks sound then go for it?
Thanks.
Can’t comment on the price but it wouldn’t put me off.
It’s a fun car that some people can use daily. Standard tyres and suspension can make them a bit lively feeling and so I can see how a few people might decide to move it on after a summer. As long as HPi is ok and there are no obvious issues I think it will be fine.
It’s a fun car that some people can use daily. Standard tyres and suspension can make them a bit lively feeling and so I can see how a few people might decide to move it on after a summer. As long as HPi is ok and there are no obvious issues I think it will be fine.
So it was registered to the dealer as a demo car, and then has had two proper owners if you'll be the fourth.
It's the type of car that people might have as a second car and realise that it's something they've got out of their system or isn't suitable for every day use so a couple of years each is not the end of the world.
It's the type of car that people might have as a second car and realise that it's something they've got out of their system or isn't suitable for every day use so a couple of years each is not the end of the world.
Alex Z said:
So it was registered to the dealer as a demo car, and then has had two proper owners if you'll be the fourth.
It's the type of car that people might have as a second car and realise that it's something they've got out of their system or isn't suitable for every day use so a couple of years each is not the end of the world.
That’s a fair point and yes, 2 proper owners after the dealer. It's the type of car that people might have as a second car and realise that it's something they've got out of their system or isn't suitable for every day use so a couple of years each is not the end of the world.
It depends. I bought a 16 plate fiesta St3 last year, paid strong money for it because it was in pretty good nick and v low mileage. But then the log book arrived and it had 5 previous keepers on it. That made me rather cross given I'd paid 12k for it and I never quite got over it. Sold it just after lockdown finished, didn't take a great deal of a hit to be fair but I was clear on owners when I moved it on.
Whereas I've just bought a 20 year old Caterham and am the 12th keeper. This bothers me not at all!
Whereas I've just bought a 20 year old Caterham and am the 12th keeper. This bothers me not at all!
I'm the 5th owver of a 2013 Camaro, sporting cars (especially Yanks) seem to have a higher turn-over of owners. As previously mentioned you'd get those owners who will buy on a whim and suddenly realise it's not for them; those whose circumstances have changed; (for Yanks) those who can't cope with LHD; those who realise they can't afford/justify the cost of insurance/fuel/maintenance.
I think my 2004 330ci has 11 previous owners.
Didn't bother me, clearly had been well looked after.
As said above some cars are just an itch being scratched and some are only short term love affairs. Generally impractical and performance cars people might grow out of, find they're not good a 50mile commute or they want a bigger, faster model.
Mine is a 4 seater and Mrs and I expecting 3rd kid! So either the car goes or one of the kids. Still to be determined.
I find with cars with plentiful owners have a usually pampered life. Not always but more often that not.
A car changes hands the new owner might spend a few £ getting niggles sorted, alloys refurbed or a leak or scratch sorted.
A car which has been owned for a long time the long term owner may not be as fussed and happy to live with it.
My Mrs has had her estate for 4 years and theres a massive scratch down the door from a brick pillar. Not bothered by it.
If I bought that car off someone with that scratch it'd be the first thing I'd sort.
Don't be put off by the number of owners, check the car for what it is.
Didn't bother me, clearly had been well looked after.
As said above some cars are just an itch being scratched and some are only short term love affairs. Generally impractical and performance cars people might grow out of, find they're not good a 50mile commute or they want a bigger, faster model.
Mine is a 4 seater and Mrs and I expecting 3rd kid! So either the car goes or one of the kids. Still to be determined.
I find with cars with plentiful owners have a usually pampered life. Not always but more often that not.
A car changes hands the new owner might spend a few £ getting niggles sorted, alloys refurbed or a leak or scratch sorted.
A car which has been owned for a long time the long term owner may not be as fussed and happy to live with it.
My Mrs has had her estate for 4 years and theres a massive scratch down the door from a brick pillar. Not bothered by it.
If I bought that car off someone with that scratch it'd be the first thing I'd sort.
Don't be put off by the number of owners, check the car for what it is.
Edited by ahas on Thursday 8th October 23:09
Edited by ahas on Thursday 8th October 23:11
Sports cars and convertibles in particular can be moved on quickly. A lot of people like the idea but can't live with the reality.
My Boxster was nearly three years old when I bought it, but I am fifth owner. That's a lot but I've had it for nearly two years and it's been good as gold (touch wood
).
My Boxster was nearly three years old when I bought it, but I am fifth owner. That's a lot but I've had it for nearly two years and it's been good as gold (touch wood
).I had one message about the 2005 Mondeo Ghia X 3.0V6 I've been trying to sell since June from a chap who seemed very keen and wanted more information on its service history and the number of previous owners.
Given that I was able to to inform him that it has a fully stamped service book and that I had all invoices dating back to 2014, I can only assume that the fact I am the sixth owner was the reason why I never heard from him again.
Some people are odd.
Given that I was able to to inform him that it has a fully stamped service book and that I had all invoices dating back to 2014, I can only assume that the fact I am the sixth owner was the reason why I never heard from him again.
Some people are odd.
Wouldn't be too concerned with MX5 type car. Have one myself, seems a good idea when it's sunny and you have images of wind in the hair driving like some 70s advert for chocolate bars. Especially after few beers.
Scroll forwards after the summer, it's a bit damp, the wife doesn't like it as the vortex messes up the hair and gives earache, it's lively in the damp winter. "I'm not getting in that again..." Limited space for Tesco shop etc. The itch is scratched and someone else can try living with it. Traded in for sensible car.
So a few round like that, those who know what to expect tend to keep them I think
Scroll forwards after the summer, it's a bit damp, the wife doesn't like it as the vortex messes up the hair and gives earache, it's lively in the damp winter. "I'm not getting in that again..." Limited space for Tesco shop etc. The itch is scratched and someone else can try living with it. Traded in for sensible car.
So a few round like that, those who know what to expect tend to keep them I think
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