Service history for a car thats been in storage - F430

[Cauterize]

Good morning all,

I have recently viewed an F430 and I am keen to purchase the car. The one thing that I am questioning (for resale purposes) is that it was in storage from 2016 - 2021 so wasn't serviced in that time.

So the history goes like this

2016 - 17k miles - Serviced
2021 - 17k miles - Serviced

Then it was in storage from 2021-2024

2024 - 19k miles - Serviced.

So there are gaps in terms of time on the servicing but not in terms of mileage. Will this effect saleability to dealers/private individuals? Would it put you off? Does it affect the value of the car? I know this sort of thing is important to potential purchasers of these cars so any thoughts on the matter would be great to hear.

Many thanks

[911Spanker]

If they are asking top money then walk away IMO.

[Cauterize]

911Spanker said:

If they are asking top money then walk away IMO.

Hey 911Spanker, thanks for the super prompt reply. It seems to be quite reasonably priced as sites like motorway and carwow are basically quoting what I`d be paying for it. But as they are essentially dealers bidding, my worry is they see the time delays between the services and get put off.

[andy43]

The automated valuation sites may mark the car down because the history doesn't tick their 'full history' box correctly.
Only way to value it accurately would be to get it appraised by a Ferrari specialist, but if you can buy it at webuyanycar prices I'd go for it!

[Jefferson Steelflex]

My view on this, probably completely at odds with reality, is that if you're keeping the car for a few years then once you've added a couple of on time services of your own the history becomes less important. But there again I have no knowledge of service schedules on Ferraris so maybe it's missing something massive.

But if the mileage has hardly moved between 2016 and 2020, and then again to 2024, and the important work has been done, I'd be less concerned.

[Truckosaurus]

I suspect the sitting around not being used thing is more important than whether or not the oil has been changed whilst sitting around.

[chewie2606]

I am by no means whatsoever an expert but I'm pretty sure I have heard on numerous occasions that these cars need to be driven quite regularly, fluids bought up to temp etc others parts just fail/seize up/fall off......

The lack of mileage for 5 yrs, and then only 2000 in 3 yrs would concern me more.

If you are going to buy, consider getting a Ferrari specialist to inspect or at least give their opinion.

[Robertb]

Make sure the history is up to date in terms of belts etc and there are no big jobs pending; get it inspected. The last thing you want is to buy cheap then get hit with a £5k or worse recommissioning bill.

If the discount gets you into an F430 to use and enjoy then I'd not be overly concerned, subject to above. It will obviously not appeal to gilt-edged collector types or Ferrari specialist dealers who will insist on a FSH to bid, so the discount may remain.

[Far Cough]

Deffo a specialist inspection and I`m not sure but if you planned to put a warranty on it in your tenure would the service gaps allow that ??

[Cauterize]

I was definitely plannning a specialist inspection but I guess the worry is that it doesnt get a good price on resale as less dealers are willing to bid because they deem it 'part service history' despite being serviced so often in terms of mileage.

It's already had a refresh in 2024 when it came out of storage for the second time but I just want to make sure I get things right as its alot of money on what is technically an 'old' car now.

Was hoping for a summer toy then flog it on to motorway/carwow for minimal loss when I`m done but its sketched me out a bit now! So close to having the dream car but so far...

[kambites]

It will certainly shrink the potential market and hence hit the price when you come to sell, but then it will presumably make the car cheaper now so should balance out if it's appropriately priced now.

If you're scared to put the effort in to sell it privately, I'd probably avoid it, personally.

Edited by kambites on Friday 11th April 15:21

[Far Cough]

Cauterize said:

I was definitely plannning a specialist inspection but I guess the worry is that it doesnt get a good price on resale as less dealers are willing to bid because they deem it 'part service history' despite being serviced so often in terms of mileage.

It's already had a refresh in 2024 when it came out of storage for the second time but I just want to make sure I get things right as its alot of money on what is technically an 'old' car now.

Was hoping for a summer toy then flog it on to motorway/carwow for minimal loss when I`m done but its sketched me out a bit now! So close to having the dream car but so far...

You can bet your bottom dollar that both carwow, webuyanycar et al will all check the service history and knock loads off when they discover a large hole in it.

[charltjr]

Far Cough said:

You can bet your bottom dollar that both carwow, webuyanycar et al will all check the service history and knock loads off when they discover a large hole in it.

That’s not exactly the target market for anyone selling an F430 though.

It’s fairly common for cars like that to be in storage for long periods.

Personally I’d keep the MoT current and give it a basic service every few years at the least even if it was squirrelled away doing nothing but a lot of people don’t seem to.

[RotorRambler]

Same as most cars really:-

“ Ferraris, like most high-performance cars, are generally expected to be serviced on time rather than just mileage. The fact that your example wasn’t serviced between 2016 and 2021 — and then again from 2021 to 2024 — might raise an eyebrow or two, even though the mileage didn’t increase much.

Buyers and dealers will wonder:
• Were fluids changed regularly? (Oil, coolant, brake fluid, etc. degrade over time even if not driven.)
• Were belts, hoses, and seals kept in good condition
• Did the car sit properly stored — battery tended, tires off the ground, etc.

[BunkMoreland]

Are you 100% sure it wasn't driven in that time. Or that it just wasn't serviced, MOT'd in that time?

Have you run the mot check gov.uk service?

[Far Cough]

charltjr said:

That’s not exactly the target market for anyone selling an F430 though.

It’s fairly common for cars like that to be in storage for long periods.

Personally I’d keep the MoT current and give it a basic service every few years at the least even if it was squirrelled away doing nothing but a lot of people don’t seem to.

You only had to read the post 3 up from mine - thats exactly what he had planned to do.

[gazza285]

I’d be more concerned about where and how it was stored, rather than the service history.

[Powerfully Built Company Director]

gazza285 said:

I’d be more concerned about where and how it was stored, rather than the service history.

Agree, was it stored at a top of the line specialist facility, where they rotate things and run them a bit? Or in a barn? With a load of chickens sat on it?

[mwstewart]

Wouldn't put me off at this age. If it isn't used, why service it? Just make sure it does have a service and inspection at MOT time for it's next usage period.

At 19k miles it's basically a brand new car, but it'll still give you plenty of problems to deal with. They are very dependable like that.

[charltjr]

Far Cough said:

charltjr said:

That’s not exactly the target market for anyone selling an F430 though.

It’s fairly common for cars like that to be in storage for long periods.

Personally I’d keep the MoT current and give it a basic service every few years at the least even if it was squirrelled away doing nothing but a lot of people don’t seem to.

You only had to read the post 3 up from mine - thats exactly what he had planned to do.

Easy tiger, wasn’t having a pop at you.

I read that post as he was using those selling sites for price comparison before buying, which is madness on a car like this, but the whole thing is probably a ride on the fantasy merry go round anyway.