Would you buy used car if not 100% about history?

[scam73]

Hi been offered a v70 t5 at a very good price but the last 30k miles of stamps are not there, as it a good price I'm still tempted as it has near 12 months mot and if the mileage is genuine then It will be a bargain...

Any thoughts, w plate new shape, fully loaded, auto leather, se model v70 t5 with 136k, priced at £1500!

[road_rager]

Wouldn't bother me that much for so little money. Just go by condition.

[Hedders]

At that price, no i would not expect a full service history. I have never bought or sold a car with full service history though.

[cmackay81]

scam73 said:

Hi been offered a v70 t5 at a very good price but the last 30k miles of stamps are not there, as it a good price I'm still tempted as it has near 12 months mot and if the mileage is genuine then It will be a bargain...

Any thoughts, w plate new shape, fully loaded, auto leather, se model v70 t5 with 136k, priced at £1500!

lol, i thought by 'not sure about the history' there was actually something wrong with it!

No, that wouldn't put me off in the slightest, as long as you check all the obvious stuff. Most obvious giveaways are the condition of the drivers seat. (especially the right hand side) and the gear knob. It's a 136k car and leather, so will be noticeable wear on both of these, however it they are going right through, then walk away.

Doubtful its been clocked and left with 136K, but you will be able to tell by the condition of the car. also check for a noisy engine on idle, oil leaks underneath, and check the oil before AND AFTER a test drive. If he has flushed the system to hide a head gasket problem, you should be able to tell by the colour of the oil after a test drive. Also when it fires up at the start, get the guy to give it a blast for you and check the exhaust fumes for too much Black/White/Blue :P

[mat205125]

road_rager said:

Wouldn't bother me that much for so little money. Just go by condition.

Hedders said:

At that price, no i would not expect a full service history. I have never bought or sold a car with full service history though.

Both of these.

Sounds like a good car for £1500. See what you can haggle off, and have an AA inspection with the saving for a bit of piece of mind.

[Tyre Smoke]

Just bought one with 138k and full history for £1675. Drives like a new car!

Just drive it, it's a Volvo (albeit a Belgian one) so everything should work. Check the heated seats, rear wiper/washer, all the bits are there - jump seats in boot if fitted, dog guard, etc. Also have a gander at the spare/toolkit - mine is mint, but even if it's used check it's all there. It's the little things that will tell you if it has been looked after, not necessarily the service stamps.

[Z28fan]

I'd imagine at 136k that most history would have been lost by then anyway... I'd have thought that condition is everything, get it checked by the RAAC flag amd as soon as you get it do a major service and then (hopefully!) you'll have put your worries to rest

[Dr G]

As above - at 1500 quid it will be imperfect but if the important stuff is sound snap it up and get a good indy to do a big service for your peace of mind.

[Davi]

scam73 said:

priced at £1500!

I've bought cars at that price that have zero history, half the bodywork missing and dubious safety

It's a snotter, treat as such.

[Risotto]

If it's the honesty of the mileage that's concerning you, just check it against the MOT mileages held online by VOSA.

http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-In...

If your concern is that it hasn't been serviced in 30K, I wouldn't see it as the end of the world, they're tough old things.

Edited by Risotto on Tuesday 21st September 10:18

[steeveeboy]

If you're worried about clocking then check for damage of the screws near the speedo!
Sounds like a cheap deal though.
Steve

[TuxRacer]

Probably not. Especially if no one's said it actually wasn't serviced.

I've been terrible at remembering to record when I'd done a service in the past or check that a garage had stamped the book. The fact that they've not just made up the service history to fill in the blanks probably makes it more honest than the next car that has a 'full' service history.

[entwisi]

Re worn leather, my V70 at 230K had perfect leather, no wear at all...... Volvo use good quality thick hides unlike Ford etc