Help from someone at BMW - buying a 6 series but concerns
Discussion
Hi there, I am feeling a bit stressed out about a purchase I have committed to make - it's a 640i with 47,000 miles done and a 2017 plate.
I asked to see the log book and the owner has said that the first 3 services were under warranty and are logged in the computer and he has a receipt for the 4th one which was not from BMW which he showed me briefly when I viewed the car and I didn't pay much attention to that but when I asked him for pics and stuff he kinda procrastinated.
He also pushed back on getting a pre-purchase inspection, eventually agreed to it, wants a deposit before it takes place and a check showed an ownership change in Feb of this year when he said he's had it from his Dad for over a year. Why would someone change ownership via DVLA is they had it from their Dad for over a year?
Firstly, keen to hear the views of people on the board as to whether there are any genuine red flags here - also, is there anyone at BMW who could do me a solid and check that the services were legit and took place etc?
Finally: I'm getting a pre-purchase inspection from prepurchaseinspection.co.uk - how reliable is that to identify that I can relax and go ahead and buy if it all checks out?
I asked to see the log book and the owner has said that the first 3 services were under warranty and are logged in the computer and he has a receipt for the 4th one which was not from BMW which he showed me briefly when I viewed the car and I didn't pay much attention to that but when I asked him for pics and stuff he kinda procrastinated.
He also pushed back on getting a pre-purchase inspection, eventually agreed to it, wants a deposit before it takes place and a check showed an ownership change in Feb of this year when he said he's had it from his Dad for over a year. Why would someone change ownership via DVLA is they had it from their Dad for over a year?
Firstly, keen to hear the views of people on the board as to whether there are any genuine red flags here - also, is there anyone at BMW who could do me a solid and check that the services were legit and took place etc?
Finally: I'm getting a pre-purchase inspection from prepurchaseinspection.co.uk - how reliable is that to identify that I can relax and go ahead and buy if it all checks out?
Walk away if you have doubts.
The advert looks like a dealer. Very brief on details for the car.
I'm guessing that the first 3 services were minor service, brake fluid service and then major service. The 4th service will be back to a minor oil and filter change. That would be about right for the age and mileage. Garages can get the idrive service record updated. A paper receipt on a £25k 5 year old car isn't good enough.
Does the history on the idrive show late or missed services?
I've never heard of the car inspection company.
The advert looks like a dealer. Very brief on details for the car.
I'm guessing that the first 3 services were minor service, brake fluid service and then major service. The 4th service will be back to a minor oil and filter change. That would be about right for the age and mileage. Garages can get the idrive service record updated. A paper receipt on a £25k 5 year old car isn't good enough.
Does the history on the idrive show late or missed services?
I've never heard of the car inspection company.
The private plates were still on the car when I viewed it a fortnight ago but he is changing back to the old reg. So that may explain the new VC5 being issued?
It's not that rare a car but it is for a decent petrol with those specs and colour combo.
I was hoping someone might view from BMW that could check what those services were for previously.
I haven't been through the idrive to be honest. I have gone back to him a few times on stuff and I kinda feel awkward going back again now which I know is ridiculous.
It's not that rare a car but it is for a decent petrol with those specs and colour combo.
I was hoping someone might view from BMW that could check what those services were for previously.
I haven't been through the idrive to be honest. I have gone back to him a few times on stuff and I kinda feel awkward going back again now which I know is ridiculous.
Edited by briansy on Monday 21st March 09:44
Picture number 9 of 17 on the advert. Top right hand side of the idrive screen there is a little red car next to the time. That will be flagging overdue maintenance or a fault with the car.
It's not unreasonable to be asking the seller to prove the service history. I do think you should have had the knowledge to check over basic things like that if buying privately. Dealers need checked too.
The change of ownership/reissue of the V5 doesn't match in with the private plate still being on the car. Did the road tax start on the same month the V5 was issued?
It's not unreasonable to be asking the seller to prove the service history. I do think you should have had the knowledge to check over basic things like that if buying privately. Dealers need checked too.
The change of ownership/reissue of the V5 doesn't match in with the private plate still being on the car. Did the road tax start on the same month the V5 was issued?
There is a service overdue (or "due" on the car which is taking place this week - as well as the MOT. I am getting him to send me a receipt of the work done last year as BMW will have done the first 3 pretty well - the pre-purchase check dude said it was probably cos he went to a garage that wasn't BMW approved so not authorised to put it on idrive.
I have also asked about the new logbook being issued in Feb. He is sending that this evening. He says on the logbook:
"I don't have a new logbook, the private plates were taken off weekend just gone. I processed the plate probably a month ago".
In fairness, the more I think about it, the more I think I'm just being a bit anxious. He is a professional guy that works in the City, I know his name, where he works etc and he probably just hasn't gone to a major effort to get all the ducks in a row in an organised fashion.
If the check comes back OK, what should my main concern be here? That he skipped a service? guess I'll see evidence of it later tonight...
I have also asked about the new logbook being issued in Feb. He is sending that this evening. He says on the logbook:
"I don't have a new logbook, the private plates were taken off weekend just gone. I processed the plate probably a month ago".
In fairness, the more I think about it, the more I think I'm just being a bit anxious. He is a professional guy that works in the City, I know his name, where he works etc and he probably just hasn't gone to a major effort to get all the ducks in a row in an organised fashion.
If the check comes back OK, what should my main concern be here? That he skipped a service? guess I'll see evidence of it later tonight...
briansy said:
I asked to see the log book and the owner has said that the first 3 services were under warranty and are logged in the computer and he has a receipt for the 4th one which was not from BMW which he showed me briefly when I viewed the car and I didn't pay much attention to that but when I asked him for pics and stuff he kinda procrastinated.
Then you need to rule out that invoice being fabricated.Get the details, call the garage to ask when they last saw the car, and confirm it's legit.
Had a similar situation with my e63, book was stamped by BMW but no paperwork. Apparently it had the first five years of its life with BMW, took the key into BMW, they scanned the key and printed off everything it had done including re calls, original specification and options, everything!
If you can get the key into BMW that will prove everything
If you can get the key into BMW that will prove everything
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