Buying a car with no service history??
Discussion
I went to see this car last sunday and it was [typically] not quite as good as the ad would suggest
Spazzy Shape Multipla
It's a spastic shaped Fiat Multipla, ok, don't laugh, I know they are a bit weird but the wife really likes them. tbh, so do I.
Anyway, it was clean enough, the odd scratch but nothing out of the ordinary. Excellent tread on all tyres, interior clean with a couple of minor trim items missing but no biggy. Engine bay clean, engine sounded entirely normal, all fluids correct level/colour etc. AC worked as did all the other bits and bobs (except radio needed code).
Only real issues were:-
1. One of the 2 keys had snapped (clicker for locking still worked) and I know these are pricey from Fiat.
2. NO literature or service record of any kind whatsoever.
I stopped at this point as couldn't be arrised getting them to rearrange the jam packed car park esque lot to let me drive the thing. But then I've thought about it and tbh, does it matter? Based on condition the car seemed spot on. Only realy issue will be selling it on afterward. Obvioulsy it would need belts doing and a service but that's not too big a deal is it.
So the question is, I've forgoten, what was I asking again.........do I make him a low offer with a reasoned argument as above as I could do all the belts/service myself (I think).
Spazzy Shape Multipla
It's a spastic shaped Fiat Multipla, ok, don't laugh, I know they are a bit weird but the wife really likes them. tbh, so do I.
Anyway, it was clean enough, the odd scratch but nothing out of the ordinary. Excellent tread on all tyres, interior clean with a couple of minor trim items missing but no biggy. Engine bay clean, engine sounded entirely normal, all fluids correct level/colour etc. AC worked as did all the other bits and bobs (except radio needed code).
Only real issues were:-
1. One of the 2 keys had snapped (clicker for locking still worked) and I know these are pricey from Fiat.
2. NO literature or service record of any kind whatsoever.
I stopped at this point as couldn't be arrised getting them to rearrange the jam packed car park esque lot to let me drive the thing. But then I've thought about it and tbh, does it matter? Based on condition the car seemed spot on. Only realy issue will be selling it on afterward. Obvioulsy it would need belts doing and a service but that's not too big a deal is it.
So the question is, I've forgoten, what was I asking again.........do I make him a low offer with a reasoned argument as above as I could do all the belts/service myself (I think).
Check all fluid levels. Check the tyres. Seriously neglectful owner soon becomes apparent.
Check for rattles or blue exhaust smoke from a cold start. (If a car is "warmed up ready" when you arrive, always be suspicious.)
Check for good engagement and function of all gears, free from rattles.
And, as always, check every knob, switch and button actually works.
Check for rattles or blue exhaust smoke from a cold start. (If a car is "warmed up ready" when you arrive, always be suspicious.)
Check for good engagement and function of all gears, free from rattles.
And, as always, check every knob, switch and button actually works.
Depends how long you want to keep it.
As it's approaching bangernomics age (i.e. sub £1000 by the time you want to sell?) most people in the know will always buy on condition..well, I do anyway.
I've seen plenty of cars in very poor condition but with FSH, that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.
Service stamps mean nothing without a fully documented folder containing receipts anyway.
As it's approaching bangernomics age (i.e. sub £1000 by the time you want to sell?) most people in the know will always buy on condition..well, I do anyway.
I've seen plenty of cars in very poor condition but with FSH, that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.
Service stamps mean nothing without a fully documented folder containing receipts anyway.
I have no idea what they are like to drive or running costs but if you want something cheapish and can maintain it yourself, aren't worried about re-sale value then can't see the big issue. They might even give it a service and 12m MOT for you if you ask nicely if not haggle the price a bit to cover at least your service parts. I think these cars always had issues with trim falling off so don't expect it to be too robust.
Sorry but no.
There are loads of multiplas out there, get one with history. No history = no way of checking for crash damage, hidden engine damage... It also screams 'careless previous owner or unscruplulous trader'.
On the BMW forums someone is wanting £12k for an E39 M5 with 27k miles. No ta. There's just so much potential for hidden horror.
There are loads of multiplas out there, get one with history. No history = no way of checking for crash damage, hidden engine damage... It also screams 'careless previous owner or unscruplulous trader'.
On the BMW forums someone is wanting £12k for an E39 M5 with 27k miles. No ta. There's just so much potential for hidden horror.
Yes, but make it an incredibly low offer. He's trying to position it as a low mileage one owner car. That's not an option without a service history!
To be honest he should probably be paying you to drive that thing, but if its what you want I wouldn't let the missing history put you off. I wouldn't worry about re-sale value either. If you can ever find anybody crazy enough to buy it after your ownership, they'll probably willingly accept a goldfish in a bowl instead of the service history!
To be honest he should probably be paying you to drive that thing, but if its what you want I wouldn't let the missing history put you off. I wouldn't worry about re-sale value either. If you can ever find anybody crazy enough to buy it after your ownership, they'll probably willingly accept a goldfish in a bowl instead of the service history!
As long as you can get some assurance on milage and ownership then lack of Service history wouldnt put me off, but would be a reason to offer low.
My car has no service history. Its a 52 plate diesel and has 282,000 on the clock. Its a smooth runner, does 50+mpg, gets an oil service every 20k, and has never let me down. just had its first new clutch. I decided to stop servicing it at audi when they started talking about £700 services. Is it worth much now? Well, would cost £10k to replace with similar, so thats how much as i see its worth. Its not really worth anything but I could care less.
But saying that, its an Audi, not a Fiat. Dont know how reliable a Fiat would be of this age.
Gut feeling, go with it.
My car has no service history. Its a 52 plate diesel and has 282,000 on the clock. Its a smooth runner, does 50+mpg, gets an oil service every 20k, and has never let me down. just had its first new clutch. I decided to stop servicing it at audi when they started talking about £700 services. Is it worth much now? Well, would cost £10k to replace with similar, so thats how much as i see its worth. Its not really worth anything but I could care less.
But saying that, its an Audi, not a Fiat. Dont know how reliable a Fiat would be of this age.
Gut feeling, go with it.
Get a test number for the last MOT off the dealer. You'll then be able to see a little of the cars life (in and out of the MOT stations). It will show any work that has needed to be done in order to pass MOTs. If its passed every MOT without fail, it may suggest a fairly decent example etc.
You say it has 4 tyres with good tread, what make are they ?
If they are nakangftltre ditch finders, then i would find another car.
However if it has something like dunlop etc, thats says to me the car has had money spent on it, but doesn't have any paperwork, rather than one that hasent been looked after.
Perhaps going back for a test drive, will reveal more, then you can make your mind up from that.
If they are nakangftltre ditch finders, then i would find another car.
However if it has something like dunlop etc, thats says to me the car has had money spent on it, but doesn't have any paperwork, rather than one that hasent been looked after.
Perhaps going back for a test drive, will reveal more, then you can make your mind up from that.
My car had a 50,000 mile gap in the service history when I bought it. I was pleasantly surprised to find it had cleanish oil, very clean air filter and a very good diesel filter in it.
A lot of people I know get their cars serviced annually with the MOT and don't have records.
Buy on condition, as is so often repeated on here- they aren't all horror storys.
A lot of people I know get their cars serviced annually with the MOT and don't have records.
Buy on condition, as is so often repeated on here- they aren't all horror storys.
bozmandb9 said:
Yes, but make it an incredibly low offer. He's trying to position it as a low mileage one owner car. That's not an option without a service history!
To be honest he should probably be paying you to drive that thing, but if its what you want I wouldn't let the missing history put you off. I wouldn't worry about re-sale value either. If you can ever find anybody crazy enough to buy it after your ownership, they'll probably willingly accept a goldfish in a bowl instead of the service history!
Ha To be honest he should probably be paying you to drive that thing, but if its what you want I wouldn't let the missing history put you off. I wouldn't worry about re-sale value either. If you can ever find anybody crazy enough to buy it after your ownership, they'll probably willingly accept a goldfish in a bowl instead of the service history!
I know what you mean, they are proper
To be fair though they seem a good sprog/dog lugger and seem good on fuel too.
Shadow R1 said:
You say it has 4 tyres with good tread, what make are they ?
If they are nakangftltre ditch finders, then i would find another car.
However if it has something like dunlop etc, thats says to me the car has had money spent on it, but doesn't have any paperwork, rather than one that hasent been looked after.
Perhaps going back for a test drive, will reveal more, then you can make your mind up from that.
You can't judge the condition of the whole car based on what rubber it is wearing. To some owners a tyre is just a tyre and they buy whatever is cheaper. Plus it's a family hack not a sports car.If they are nakangftltre ditch finders, then i would find another car.
However if it has something like dunlop etc, thats says to me the car has had money spent on it, but doesn't have any paperwork, rather than one that hasent been looked after.
Perhaps going back for a test drive, will reveal more, then you can make your mind up from that.
OP buy on condition and make your offer reflect that you will want to have a major service including belts etc at your own garage.
Stamps in books mean nothing apart from a book has been stamped.
As others have suggested, a good look over the car should give you a pretty good idea as to whether or not it has been maintained. A test drive is also important.
If everything seems ok then I'd use the lack of history to knock some money off the asking price.
If I then purchased the car, I'd see about trying to track down the history. Phone the manufacturer - I don't know if Fiat have centralised servicing records? If not then they should be able to tell you from what dealer it was sold, so contact them and ask. Alternatively contact the previous owner and ask.
If you manage to get hold of the history then it'll make life easier when you come to sell it, but if you can't you've already discounted the purchase price when buying it so no great financial loss.
If everything seems ok then I'd use the lack of history to knock some money off the asking price.
If I then purchased the car, I'd see about trying to track down the history. Phone the manufacturer - I don't know if Fiat have centralised servicing records? If not then they should be able to tell you from what dealer it was sold, so contact them and ask. Alternatively contact the previous owner and ask.
If you manage to get hold of the history then it'll make life easier when you come to sell it, but if you can't you've already discounted the purchase price when buying it so no great financial loss.
Shadow R1 said:
You say it has 4 tyres with good tread, what make are they ?
If they are nakangftltre ditch finders, then i would find another car.
However if it has something like dunlop etc, thats says to me the car has had money spent on it, but doesn't have any paperwork, rather than one that hasent been looked after.
Perhaps going back for a test drive, will reveal more, then you can make your mind up from that.
Even on a Fiat Multipla? TBH I don't think 'budget' tyres on such a vehicle is such a big deal, and I would be surprised if the majority of Multiplas (with their middle/old aged, mainly female owners, who probably rev the engine higher than they should, but wouldn't think to drive it 'fast' even if they were getting carjacked) don't trundle around on ditchfinders.If they are nakangftltre ditch finders, then i would find another car.
However if it has something like dunlop etc, thats says to me the car has had money spent on it, but doesn't have any paperwork, rather than one that hasent been looked after.
Perhaps going back for a test drive, will reveal more, then you can make your mind up from that.
PH: stereotyping matters.
Dift said:
Get a test number for the last MOT off the dealer. You'll then be able to see a little of the cars life (in and out of the MOT stations). It will show any work that has needed to be done in order to pass MOTs. If its passed every MOT without fail, it may suggest a fairly decent example etc.
Also you can find out if the car has been clocked in the last few years by checking the Mots online.I went to buy a 10 year old Volvo estate which I won on ebay for my father which was supposed to have a geniune 50,000 on the clock with service history etc but I had a gut feeling that something wasn't right, I did a £10 online check with one of the car data companys and found out it had done 60,000 in its first 3 years, in reality it had done 200 thousand miles.
When I confronted the dealer who was selling the car he just said well its done 50,000 on that engine, but wouldn't say anything about the mileage being clocked or the fake service history, So I would pay out for a Car data check if your not sure as there are a lot of sharks out there.
smugglersvin said:
When I confronted the dealer who was selling the car he just said well its done 50,000 on that engine, but wouldn't say anything about the mileage being clocked or the fake service history, So I would pay out for a Car data check if your not sure as there are a lot of sharks out there.
Argh I hate this when sellers believe it's perfectly ok to set the mileage to that of the engine when it's been changed. It's a shame all the other drivetrain components, suspension, etc doesn't agree with them.I agree that an MOT history is a good indicator of mileage and condition and should be put to use on judging the condition of a car. One I looked at had failed every MOT for the past five years on suspension components, which put me off the car completely.
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