buying low mileage car with no service history
Discussion
Hi guys,
new to this so please bare with me, basically seen a vauxhall astra 2013 plate which is a category D car (minor bump) which has been repaired back in 2014 when the accident happened. the current seller hsnt got proof for this but states it was checked by his friend who works in car dealership before he brought it anfd had no issues. Its got 4 previous owners, and current seller is 5th. its being sold privately with no service history which has done 35k, and looking at the previous MOT on the gov website it seems pretty decent with no advisories previously. just latest one shows rear brake pads are wearing. I am interested in this car, and the seller has allowed a professional inspection, but im just thinking should i go ahead. as only thing putting me off is the no service history and the high owners. and its only got 1 key.
serious answers only, thank you in advance.
p.s. i have done a full check on the car via HPI and nothings been alerted apart from the known cat d.
current owner has only had the car for 5 months as hes been given a company car ?
new to this so please bare with me, basically seen a vauxhall astra 2013 plate which is a category D car (minor bump) which has been repaired back in 2014 when the accident happened. the current seller hsnt got proof for this but states it was checked by his friend who works in car dealership before he brought it anfd had no issues. Its got 4 previous owners, and current seller is 5th. its being sold privately with no service history which has done 35k, and looking at the previous MOT on the gov website it seems pretty decent with no advisories previously. just latest one shows rear brake pads are wearing. I am interested in this car, and the seller has allowed a professional inspection, but im just thinking should i go ahead. as only thing putting me off is the no service history and the high owners. and its only got 1 key.
serious answers only, thank you in advance.
p.s. i have done a full check on the car via HPI and nothings been alerted apart from the known cat d.
current owner has only had the car for 5 months as hes been given a company car ?
Edited by silkcut2000 on Monday 11th January 13:56
Edited by silkcut2000 on Monday 11th January 14:02
If a car is cat D after only a year old, I suspect the damage was not that minor. I would check carefully the likely repaired areas.
A decent test drive to check for alignment issues.
It had better be significantly cheaper than most with no service history as well.
Just my initial thoughts....
A decent test drive to check for alignment issues.
It had better be significantly cheaper than most with no service history as well.
Just my initial thoughts....
Terzo123 said:
Unless its very cheap compared to cars of the same vintage that aren't cat D and also have a service history, then why bother.
However if its significantly cheaper, then it might be worth the risk. Make sure to service it thoroughly straight away though.
it doesnt have any service history hence why im asking....its around £500 than a non cat car but i know seller will lower more based on fact that theres no serice hx or just 1 key However if its significantly cheaper, then it might be worth the risk. Make sure to service it thoroughly straight away though.
mike9009 said:
If a car is cat D after only a year old, I suspect the damage was not that minor. I would check carefully the likely repaired areas.
A decent test drive to check for alignment issues.
It had better be significantly cheaper than most with no service history as well.
Just my initial thoughts....
its around £500 quid less than non cat d car but i know seller will lower more if i base argument on above pointsA decent test drive to check for alignment issues.
It had better be significantly cheaper than most with no service history as well.
Just my initial thoughts....
silkcut2000 said:
it doesnt have any service history hence why im asking....its around £500 than a non cat car but i know seller will lower more based on fact that theres no serice hx or just 1 key
£500 cheaper due to cat , AND no service history , high owners and spare key missing. Surely there is better available?Rule of thumb is that a CAT D car is worth about 25% less than a not CAT D car, add onto that the no service history, no spare key and the mileage, £1500 probably isnt a bargain.
To put it in perspective, most insurance companies write off if the repairs are above 66% of the value of the vehicle, however, if the vehicle is relatively new, they can go as high as 80% of the value of the vehicle.
So I would suspect it was a fairly large amount of damage, and not just a minor bump.
To put it in perspective, most insurance companies write off if the repairs are above 66% of the value of the vehicle, however, if the vehicle is relatively new, they can go as high as 80% of the value of the vehicle.
So I would suspect it was a fairly large amount of damage, and not just a minor bump.
Depends on the price. For me, from what you've said, it would need to be really cheap.
Downsides - cat D, no service history, no guarantee of mileage, load of previous owners, low mileage might mean possibly spent its whole life trundling around town, needs a service, only 1 key
Upsides - it's available presumably at a price you can afford
Downsides - cat D, no service history, no guarantee of mileage, load of previous owners, low mileage might mean possibly spent its whole life trundling around town, needs a service, only 1 key
Upsides - it's available presumably at a price you can afford
I think that you're being misled over the minor bump. If a one year old car has a write off category, then you're talking about a lot more than a minor bump.
To me, a minor bump would be a dented bumper. you're probably speaking about £1,000s of damage. Together with all the other stated problems, I would find another car.
To me, a minor bump would be a dented bumper. you're probably speaking about £1,000s of damage. Together with all the other stated problems, I would find another car.
Majorslow said:
Have you also checked what it is going to cost insurance wise?
This. I've no first hand experience but as I understand, you have to declare if the car has been a previous write off and this can increase the cost of insurance. Personally I'd walk away and spend a bit more money on a car with decent history.Hi Catman,
I had a "minor shunt" in my Mini. 2012 back in 2017. Typical roundabout accident where the car behind drove into the back of me. The Bumper was dented. the car went in to have it replaced.
It took them 13 days. An absolute scandal. During that time I was in a crappy Clio which at 6 months old was shabbier than my 100K miles plus car. The insurance company was being charged £90 a day for it!!
Total bill for the 13 days my car was off the road was £5007
It was really a minor shunt, but my was it expensive in my view.
Do they count the cost of the damage into the cat "D" rating or actual damage caused? (My car was as "new" and not given a rating)
For the OP there are so many good cars out there. This one may well be one to walk away from for peace of mind. So many owners, no history etc...(apart from a shunt) looks too good to be true.... probably is. There is a guy on this buy a car thread, who if you ask, puts out loads of suggestions in your budget. I have looked at some, and he comes up with some great suggestions for those asking. Try it. and good luck
I had a "minor shunt" in my Mini. 2012 back in 2017. Typical roundabout accident where the car behind drove into the back of me. The Bumper was dented. the car went in to have it replaced.
It took them 13 days. An absolute scandal. During that time I was in a crappy Clio which at 6 months old was shabbier than my 100K miles plus car. The insurance company was being charged £90 a day for it!!
Total bill for the 13 days my car was off the road was £5007
It was really a minor shunt, but my was it expensive in my view.
Do they count the cost of the damage into the cat "D" rating or actual damage caused? (My car was as "new" and not given a rating)
For the OP there are so many good cars out there. This one may well be one to walk away from for peace of mind. So many owners, no history etc...(apart from a shunt) looks too good to be true.... probably is. There is a guy on this buy a car thread, who if you ask, puts out loads of suggestions in your budget. I have looked at some, and he comes up with some great suggestions for those asking. Try it. and good luck
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