Full service history - does no one care any more?
Discussion
Whilst I would have no quarms buying an EV without FSH struggling to believe the number of cars for sale which have gone 15k or more over their already extended 20k service intervals. Dealers usually don't seem to care but surely it is something that should be listed in every sale rather than having to go all Agatha Christie on them? Although the last one (well known nationwide brand) appeared to have fabricated the last service, the MOT date on the service didn't match the one on the government website...
Does it not put most of the rest of you off (at least for a non shed) ?
Does it not put most of the rest of you off (at least for a non shed) ?
Terminator X said:
My recent cars have all been new so a non issue however I would always insist on FSH for a 2nd hand one.
TX.
The same. Thus I always have a FSH with mine, especially as I like to look back for repeat items and compare item costs. I would expect to buy a 2nd hand one with a FSH too.TX.
My latest machine has 6000 mile or 6 month intervals. Has to be kept in order to keep the warranty going. Finding one with a full history seems to be difficult.
As an example Cazoo have loads for sale - when I was looking none of them had been serviced correctly.
I suppose the conclusion is you’re right, nobody cares about maintenance.
Cheap accelera and evergreen tyres I spot on expensive nearly new cars when I’m sat at traffic lights is another example - it’s all done as cheaply as possible.
As an example Cazoo have loads for sale - when I was looking none of them had been serviced correctly.
I suppose the conclusion is you’re right, nobody cares about maintenance.
Cheap accelera and evergreen tyres I spot on expensive nearly new cars when I’m sat at traffic lights is another example - it’s all done as cheaply as possible.
If ‘Full Service History’ means a stamped service book, then it’s largely meaningless. It tells you the dealer has changed the oil, given the car a wash and plied the owner with nice coffee.
If ‘Full Service History’ means a pile of MOT certificates with a full list of advisories and subsequent receipts showing they have been rectified, then it’s invaluable.
If ‘Full Service History’ means a pile of MOT certificates with a full list of advisories and subsequent receipts showing they have been rectified, then it’s invaluable.
Deranged Rover said:
If ‘Full Service History’ means a stamped service book, then it’s largely meaningless. It tells you the dealer has changed the oil, given the car a wash and plied the owner with nice coffee.
How many cars have service books now?VW used to have an App that showed service history but it was very messed up on wife’s car - showed items overdue that had been done, one service with no details as carried out under previous ownership (she’s had the car from new). VWs solution was to withdraw the App!
Deranged Rover said:
If ‘Full Service History’ means a stamped service book, then it’s largely meaningless. It tells you the dealer has changed the oil, given the car a wash and plied the owner with nice coffee.
If ‘Full Service History’ means a pile of MOT certificates with a full list of advisories and subsequent receipts showing they have been rectified, then it’s invaluable.
Also would need to include scheduled item replacement, like brake fluid, timing belts, spark plugs, coolant etc that some owners skip to save costs.If ‘Full Service History’ means a pile of MOT certificates with a full list of advisories and subsequent receipts showing they have been rectified, then it’s invaluable.
My pet peeve is to see a fully serviced car, with all the appropriate main dealer stamps in the book, and one back steet garage stamp, where the selling dealer had a pre sale oil change done, which he called a service.
Deranged Rover said:
If ‘Full Service History’ means a pile of MOT certificates with a full list of advisories and subsequent receipts showing they have been rectified, then it’s invaluable.
The MOT is all online these days so you wont get that anymore either. Plus I doubt many people will bother getting the advisories fixed until they become a fail.QJumper said:
My pet peeve is to see a fully serviced car, with all the appropriate main dealer stamps in the book, and one back steet garage stamp, where the selling dealer had a pre sale oil change done, which he called a service.
My car was serviced by the selling main dealer just before I collected it. Ahahahaha.I then got another main dealer local to me to change the diff oil and air filters (ie do the job properly).
They then sent the selling dealer the bill. I did the pollen filter, rear brake pads and front discs and paid for wheel alignment myself. A nice pile of invoices. Proper history.
Back street boys are looking quite attractive to me at the moment…
Fairly 'Meh' on whether the car has a service history or not and as others have said it depends on the car.
The RS6 I had I wanted some proof that the costly 50p oil washer had been changed as it was an engine out job to replace, other than that I didn't really look at the history.
Most of the cars I've bought second hand have had some service history but only one I could think of came with what I'd consider to be full. Car came with a ring binder full of date ordered invoices for the last 10 years! Generally though I buy cars based on the seller. If the seller comes across right and the car looks/drives fine I'll buy it. If not then I'll walk away.
My most reliable second hand car I've ever had came with absolutely no service history (Alfa 147 1.9jtd)
My least reliable second hand car I've ever had came with a huge service history (Audi A8 4.2 FSi)
I for one am quite happy that there are people who insist upon FSH as it means there's fewer people willing to buy those without, making it cheaper for me
The RS6 I had I wanted some proof that the costly 50p oil washer had been changed as it was an engine out job to replace, other than that I didn't really look at the history.
Most of the cars I've bought second hand have had some service history but only one I could think of came with what I'd consider to be full. Car came with a ring binder full of date ordered invoices for the last 10 years! Generally though I buy cars based on the seller. If the seller comes across right and the car looks/drives fine I'll buy it. If not then I'll walk away.
My most reliable second hand car I've ever had came with absolutely no service history (Alfa 147 1.9jtd)
My least reliable second hand car I've ever had came with a huge service history (Audi A8 4.2 FSi)
I for one am quite happy that there are people who insist upon FSH as it means there's fewer people willing to buy those without, making it cheaper for me
Time based service warning lights do annoy me a bit as I often buy older low mileage cars. So it's only done 1500 miles since the last service but the warning light has come on saying you should change 16 platinum spark plugs and all the fluids.
I tend to think cars ought to be taken at face value because 'service' does not mean it has been properly looked after.
I used to do servicing for a prestige marque and took the attitude that nobody else is going to do what you should be doing... things like checking the tyre inflator works, the foam is present and any other emergency equipment is there. Making sure the one blown bulb of the two in the rear interior light is changed. Cleaning the dead leaves out of the a-pillar troughs. I used to touch every button and pull every handle to make sure everything worked.
I'd say the biggest flaw with servicing though is not making the customer aware of what is available and what defects the car has. If a customer drops their car for a service and you don't do any investigation and just change the oil the customer will happily pay for just the oil change and call that job done. If you give them a list and don't frighten them with 'danger' stuff and just tell them at some point these things could be done to bring the car back up to new condition a lot of the time they would authourise the work or book it in again for rectification at a later date.
In conclusion... I'd say nice to have. I don't think they share the same attitude in other parts of the world. In many countries they do servicing properly and their cars last 300-400 thousand miles.
I tend to think cars ought to be taken at face value because 'service' does not mean it has been properly looked after.
I used to do servicing for a prestige marque and took the attitude that nobody else is going to do what you should be doing... things like checking the tyre inflator works, the foam is present and any other emergency equipment is there. Making sure the one blown bulb of the two in the rear interior light is changed. Cleaning the dead leaves out of the a-pillar troughs. I used to touch every button and pull every handle to make sure everything worked.
I'd say the biggest flaw with servicing though is not making the customer aware of what is available and what defects the car has. If a customer drops their car for a service and you don't do any investigation and just change the oil the customer will happily pay for just the oil change and call that job done. If you give them a list and don't frighten them with 'danger' stuff and just tell them at some point these things could be done to bring the car back up to new condition a lot of the time they would authourise the work or book it in again for rectification at a later date.
In conclusion... I'd say nice to have. I don't think they share the same attitude in other parts of the world. In many countries they do servicing properly and their cars last 300-400 thousand miles.
Deranged Rover said:
If ‘Full Service History’ means a pile of MOT certificates with a full list of advisories and subsequent receipts showing they have been rectified, then it’s invaluable.
Except if you trade in a car like this the dealer will throw all of those receipts away, citing "GDPR". jamei303 said:
My last two lease cars that I've handed back after three years the auctioneer has shredded the service book because it contained my personal details, and they've been auctioned stating no service history
How did you become aware of that happening?Without trecking outside and looking, so maybe I'm wrong, but I can't recall there being any personal information in service books I've got.
I do remember PXing a car and had a folder with the invoices and MOTs in it. The salesman took the current MOT out and dropped the rest in the bin!
As others have said GDPR has given dealers an excuse to offload dodgy tat and effectively made FSH less important to buyers. Ditto online purchasing.
Much ex rental 2 to 3 year old stock ending up at the big online supermarkets has a sketchy history at best. And yet they will invariably claim the manufacturers warranty is intact. Try claiming for engine issues caused by a stretched timing chain from low or incorrect oil invariably used at car supermarkets lol.
FMDSH 1 owner ex lease stock still generally make the best money and for good reason too.
Interesting that the UKs biggest fleet, Motability still adhere to main dealer servicing including pollen filter and brake fluid changes.
So savvy buyers will pay more for FMDSH cars particularly as the manuf warranty may be jeapordised/dealer given more wiggle room with the sketchy inappropriate history in the event of a claim.
Anything premium needs a FMDSH otherwise it will be worth considerably less.
Much ex rental 2 to 3 year old stock ending up at the big online supermarkets has a sketchy history at best. And yet they will invariably claim the manufacturers warranty is intact. Try claiming for engine issues caused by a stretched timing chain from low or incorrect oil invariably used at car supermarkets lol.
FMDSH 1 owner ex lease stock still generally make the best money and for good reason too.
Interesting that the UKs biggest fleet, Motability still adhere to main dealer servicing including pollen filter and brake fluid changes.
So savvy buyers will pay more for FMDSH cars particularly as the manuf warranty may be jeapordised/dealer given more wiggle room with the sketchy inappropriate history in the event of a claim.
Anything premium needs a FMDSH otherwise it will be worth considerably less.
Deranged Rover said:
If ‘Full Service History’ means a stamped service book, then it’s largely meaningless. It tells you the dealer has changed the oil, given the car a wash and plied the owner with nice coffee.
If ‘Full Service History’ means a pile of MOT certificates with a full list of advisories and subsequent receipts showing they have been rectified, then it’s invaluable.
That about sums it up. If ‘Full Service History’ means a pile of MOT certificates with a full list of advisories and subsequent receipts showing they have been rectified, then it’s invaluable.
I do all my own servicing and maintenance keeping meticulous dates and receipts but I did buy a cheap dealer stamp for the simpletons who just want to see a book full of them.
FDSH is worth absolutely nothing on its own, I don't even trust them to get the coffee right, let alone anything to do with the actual car.
IME it's often not done anyway, things like pollen filters, especially if they're tricky to access are notorious for being charged to the customer but nothing actually changed, I've seen it loads of times.
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