New car servicing
Discussion
Hi all
I’m looking at purchasing a 2019 audi a3, 27k miles, however have just noticed that that the car has only been serviced by the current selling Indy garage in March 2023 at 27k miles, there is no record of any previous servicing. Is this red flags and should I walk away.
TIA
I’m looking at purchasing a 2019 audi a3, 27k miles, however have just noticed that that the car has only been serviced by the current selling Indy garage in March 2023 at 27k miles, there is no record of any previous servicing. Is this red flags and should I walk away.
TIA
Edited by FezzaDude on Wednesday 23 August 14:57
FezzaDude said:
Hi all
I’m looking at purchasing a 2019 audi a3, 27k miles, however have just noticed that that the car has only been serviced by the current selling dealer in March 2023 at 27k miles, there is no record of any previous servicing. Is this red flags and should I walk away.
TIA
Have you asked the dealer for the full online servicing schedule?I’m looking at purchasing a 2019 audi a3, 27k miles, however have just noticed that that the car has only been serviced by the current selling dealer in March 2023 at 27k miles, there is no record of any previous servicing. Is this red flags and should I walk away.
TIA
Do Audi have a digital service book?
It may have been serviced at an indi with no access to Audi’s system to update and receipts for previous work done are routinely not handed over nowadays.
With leases, you may be able to service it at any vat registered garage so if your car is ex-lease it may be the reason.
It may have been serviced at an indi with no access to Audi’s system to update and receipts for previous work done are routinely not handed over nowadays.
With leases, you may be able to service it at any vat registered garage so if your car is ex-lease it may be the reason.
I can tell you that if the vehicle suffered from any powertrain failures where oil quality could be a factor a retailer would look over the history and point fingers at that late service if that was the only one the vehicle has had or can be proven to have had. Of course not an issue if you were paying for the repair yourself but it all by kills any support you may request from them to help with the costs.
If you have the vehicle details you can send me them and I'll have a check on the systems for any possible history if you like.
If you have the vehicle details you can send me them and I'll have a check on the systems for any possible history if you like.
The car is 4 years old, so there will be no warranty implications. The risk is down to the buyer.
Pop into your nearest Audi dealer with the reg number and ask the service receptionist to check for any Audi service history. In my experience people are a lot more helpful face to face than over the phone. If they throw GDPR at you, just say you don't want any personal info or contact details, just a yes/no, and if yes, the date and mileage when the work was done.
Another possible route is if it's an ex-lease car that was on a maintenance agreement, you might be able to get some info from the lease company. They will have a record of all work authorised during the car's time on fleet, right down to tyre and bulb replacements.
Both the above depend on lucking in and speaking to the right person in the right mood at the right time, in my experience.
A modern engine on modern oil that's done 27k in 3 years with no servicing, although not ideal, is highly likely to be fine, but I would then question why someone wouldn't bother getting a new car serviced, and whether they'd be the kind of person whose car you'd want to own afterwards. The other aspect is that if no garage saw the car for its first three years, there will be no record anywhere of its mileage until its first MOT. There's some very unscrupulous people out there.
If something doesn't smell quite right with this one, walk away and look at one of the hundreds of others available. There are nearly 600 2019 A3s on Autotrader at the moment.
Pop into your nearest Audi dealer with the reg number and ask the service receptionist to check for any Audi service history. In my experience people are a lot more helpful face to face than over the phone. If they throw GDPR at you, just say you don't want any personal info or contact details, just a yes/no, and if yes, the date and mileage when the work was done.
Another possible route is if it's an ex-lease car that was on a maintenance agreement, you might be able to get some info from the lease company. They will have a record of all work authorised during the car's time on fleet, right down to tyre and bulb replacements.
Both the above depend on lucking in and speaking to the right person in the right mood at the right time, in my experience.
A modern engine on modern oil that's done 27k in 3 years with no servicing, although not ideal, is highly likely to be fine, but I would then question why someone wouldn't bother getting a new car serviced, and whether they'd be the kind of person whose car you'd want to own afterwards. The other aspect is that if no garage saw the car for its first three years, there will be no record anywhere of its mileage until its first MOT. There's some very unscrupulous people out there.
If something doesn't smell quite right with this one, walk away and look at one of the hundreds of others available. There are nearly 600 2019 A3s on Autotrader at the moment.
Mr Whippy said:
Well done.
I’m baffled how dealers can try this on.
One hand they’ll pretend any car problems are because of a missed engine oil service by a few months…
Next minute they’re trying to sell it like it’s not a problem.
Exactly. When part exchanging they want a full main dealer history, premium tyres and few owners. I’m baffled how dealers can try this on.
One hand they’ll pretend any car problems are because of a missed engine oil service by a few months…
Next minute they’re trying to sell it like it’s not a problem.
When selling all of the above is conveniently not important.
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