Spending £2k on a car. Too hung up on FSH??
Discussion
Hi all,
As the title reads really. I'm looking to spend £2k on a car and find myself browsing autotrader and PH and pretty much passing straight over anything that doesn't offer FSH.
Am I being too picky at this price? Am I going to miss out on some great cars?
Just interested to know how others who aren't part-time/full-time mechanics feel about it.
As the title reads really. I'm looking to spend £2k on a car and find myself browsing autotrader and PH and pretty much passing straight over anything that doesn't offer FSH.
Am I being too picky at this price? Am I going to miss out on some great cars?
Just interested to know how others who aren't part-time/full-time mechanics feel about it.
there's a point with new cars where the cost of maintaining FSH outweights the benefit of the premium you can expect when selling your car.
that point is usually way above £2k
You could always contact the seller and establish what servicing has been done?
I service my own cars, and keep the odd receipt for oil etc, but it's not enough to be classed a service history.
hth
Ian
that point is usually way above £2k
You could always contact the seller and establish what servicing has been done?
I service my own cars, and keep the odd receipt for oil etc, but it's not enough to be classed a service history.
hth
Ian
In my experience, FSH can count for very little.
Sure, it's proof that the car has been serviced regularly, but it doesn't prove that any required work (advisory) has been done.
I too went for cars with FSH, only to find later (after looking through service invoices) that advisories were issued by the garage - but the work was never done.
The best advice is to trust your instinct when viewing the car - and if possible get an independent check done.
Sure, it's proof that the car has been serviced regularly, but it doesn't prove that any required work (advisory) has been done.
I too went for cars with FSH, only to find later (after looking through service invoices) that advisories were issued by the garage - but the work was never done.
The best advice is to trust your instinct when viewing the car - and if possible get an independent check done.
freenote said:
Appreciated.
So if reliability is at least as important as driving enjoyment, would brand be more of a factor than service history?
Yes. As stated above, most people who have a full service history still resent paying for it and will only have stuff done when absolutely necessary like when it fails an MOT.So if reliability is at least as important as driving enjoyment, would brand be more of a factor than service history?
Better to get the number of the MOT certificate and check out the MOT history and list of advisories here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...
Some of the lists can be quite frightening.
In general consider not only reliability but prices of spares. Toyotas and Hondas are generally very reliable but Golf spares are probably cheaper, for example. However, buying the right car to start with helps and I haven't had a breakdown inover 30 years save for snapped clutch cables which were merely an inconvenience.
TonyRPH said:
The best advice is to trust your instinct when viewing the car - and if possible get an independent check done.
Has anyone had an AA check or similar on a car of this value? I assumed it would always come up with a load of smallish stuff and the mechanic would advise against as a result.Dont worry about it, at that price, know what you are looking for rather than relying on an easily falsified paper trail.
My dads MG ZT is probably not a lot more expensive (he isnt selling) but has had him maintain it for five years, it is totally immaculate, not a makr on it but no fsh yet go and see some of the other 2003 models with a bit more in the way of service history, I douvt they take the wheels off to clean the back of them.
It is a very unreliable indicator of maintenance or quality, it just for most, its better than nothing.
My dads MG ZT is probably not a lot more expensive (he isnt selling) but has had him maintain it for five years, it is totally immaculate, not a makr on it but no fsh yet go and see some of the other 2003 models with a bit more in the way of service history, I douvt they take the wheels off to clean the back of them.
It is a very unreliable indicator of maintenance or quality, it just for most, its better than nothing.
Definitely not being picky. Sold the wife's 318is last year for less than £2k, that had a FSH.
My current steed is worth not much more than £2k (maybe £3k) and that has a FSH. Specialists and a decent local garage rather than Main Dealer (it's on 107k now).
But obviously a FSH isn't everything.
My current steed is worth not much more than £2k (maybe £3k) and that has a FSH. Specialists and a decent local garage rather than Main Dealer (it's on 107k now).
But obviously a FSH isn't everything.
FSH may just mean you get a car that is older than a similar vehicle without. look at if the tyres are a reasonable brand and matched, assume it hasn't been serviced and plan for an oil change etc when you get it, at circa £2K you are just on the cusp of the run it till it dies stage of ownership for some people. Check MOT details as you are also in the territory of the car being sold because there is a big bill looming, so check belt changes, power steering etc. An RAC/ AA check will almost certainly show up faults, so if you know a mechanic who could look it over as though it was an MOT it may be better.
At £2k I'd just forget all about FSH. Check the oil yourself (level etc). Look for oil leaks around the head. Check the steering for play. Check out brakes just by going for a quick run. Listen for odd noises, start it and stop it a couple of times, check all the fluids. Walk around the car a couple of times to check out bodywork condition. Check panel gaps. Try to catch light reflection down the sides for evidence of accident/poor repair/respray. Check wheel arches etc for rust (but remember at 2k its probably getting on and some might be expected and reasonable). Check tyre condition. Check MOT and log book.
But most of all - is it clean and tidy inside out? Do you get the impression that its been looked after? Is it free of odours?
Look, I'm no expert but the above has never let me down. You can normally tell straight away what a car has meant to its owner. I once bought an immaculate (looked too good to be true) 5 year old Mitsi off some old guy who hadn't had it serviced for 3 years. This bothered me until he opened his garage door and I could see the carpet hanging on the walls so he wouldn't damage the car doors opening them in there - and the cleaning products - it was like walking into Halfords. He ha loved that car - and I handed over the cash immeditaley. Ran it for another 5 years myslef without any issues.
But most of all - is it clean and tidy inside out? Do you get the impression that its been looked after? Is it free of odours?
Look, I'm no expert but the above has never let me down. You can normally tell straight away what a car has meant to its owner. I once bought an immaculate (looked too good to be true) 5 year old Mitsi off some old guy who hadn't had it serviced for 3 years. This bothered me until he opened his garage door and I could see the carpet hanging on the walls so he wouldn't damage the car doors opening them in there - and the cleaning products - it was like walking into Halfords. He ha loved that car - and I handed over the cash immeditaley. Ran it for another 5 years myslef without any issues.
No, it's entirely possible to find one. Personally I would buy on condition and wouldn't be too concerned about the odd missing receipt, but if that's what you're after carry on.
My most expensive car ever was £1450, and quite a few of the much cheaper ones had full service history with stacks and stacks of receipts.
My wifes Volvo cost £800 - full history up to and including the service 500 miles before we bought it at 145k.
It's unlikely it will be main dealer, but I wouldn't worry about that.
£2k is no way banger territory!!
edit for a "you're" - oh the shame!
My most expensive car ever was £1450, and quite a few of the much cheaper ones had full service history with stacks and stacks of receipts.
My wifes Volvo cost £800 - full history up to and including the service 500 miles before we bought it at 145k.
It's unlikely it will be main dealer, but I wouldn't worry about that.
£2k is no way banger territory!!
edit for a "you're" - oh the shame!
Edited by chris1roll on Saturday 10th July 19:39
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