Purchasing car with missed service

[shayne66]

Question regarding missed services, seen a Abarth Rivale 695 that am tempted to go look at to upgrade the misses car.

It's a 2018 plate (Sept 2018) 5,500 miles and on the website description it states it's only got 1 service stamp. Am guessing it should be on 2 as service intervals are 12 months or 6,000 miles.

Is the missed service anything to worry about ? and will it effect any resale value in the future ?

Am ringing the dealer later to find out which one has been missed, but I'd have a strong guess that its last years due to covid pandemic.

[shayne66]

Seems to be a evenly split, once I find out the full details be in a better position to make a call.

Although, am not too concerned as a service now will help and the misses will prob keep the car for a good 4/5 years.

Car is priced along side others in the market that has service history. Although it's hard to truly tell as there isnt many kn the market.

[shayne66]

I'd presume the manufacturer's warranty would run out in Sept 2020 so nothing too drastic. I'll try and push as much warranty out of the seller as I can.

[shayne66]

mikeyr said:

Totally agree, it IS relevant but as much for the warranty as anything else. But in five years time no one cares after it's had subsequent yearly checks and not blown up

Is it from a Fiat dealer?

Nope, not from a Fiat dealer.
It's with Available Cars.

[shayne66]

Trevor555 said:

If you keep the car for a few years I probably wouldn't worry.

But, many people get rid quite quickly as they decide it's not the car for them.

So if you're missus doesn't gel with the car you'll be trying to sell a late car with part service history.

Fair point, fortunately shes had her 59 plate Abarth for 6/7 years now so she has decent experience with them.

[shayne66]

So after going to dealership, its missed last years service (2020) was done in 2019 at around 4,500 miles and now sits on 5,500 miles.
At a guess, owners hasn't used the car during covid and maybe one of the reasons theyve let go, especially if it was on finance.

The garage will service the car upon purchase.

[shayne66]

Wagonwheel555 said:

Its missed a service then, therefore does not have Full Service History.

Some dealers will not buy cars without full dealer history so if you plan to trade in later on, you may find its more difficult but in terms of value its unlikely to make a huge difference considering the low mileage of the car anyway. If it was a 60k car that had done 30k between services, I would walk away from it.

The fact it's a 1 owner and done no mileage during that year keeps mind at rest with the missing service.

Also potential future trade in, the misses has kept her 59 plate Abarth 500 for the last 6/7 years so she's very likely to keep this the same or longer. She gets pretty attached and doesnt like getting rid of anything.

[shayne66]

b9boy said:

I think you're taking the right approach OP. I'm surprised to hear the strength of some of the comments about part service history etc. Given it's done practically no mileage, and will be serviced less than 1,000 miles after it's last one you'll be fine. As you rightly point out it's difficult to be overly picky anyway so the dealer isn't going to take a beating on this car.

IF you weren't keeping the car for a length of time and IF the car market was on it's knees, IF it was a Ferrari and IF it voided two years of warranty you'd have plenty to worry about but I'd sleep very easy at night on this one!

Yeah, think it's a sensible approach, have asked on the Abarth pages on facebook and many of the owners have said the same thing. Due to age, lack of mileage on car and lack if mileage between service.none of them would be too put off by it. At least, with their owners view points it gives you an idea of resale privately.

Also, found out that only 3000 Rivale's are in the world of this edition (they did an even more limited 175 edition) with not many been in the uk.