Car on yard for 12 months, what to insist on in a service

[mikiec]

So looking at a high mileage Audi R8 that’s been on the sales yard for 1 year. Prior to that it had an extensive service, so just wondering what should be insisted on for a service for a car that has effectively been off the road for a year?

[swisstoni]

mikiec said:

So looking at a high mileage Audi R8 that’s been on the sales yard for 1 year. Prior to that it had an extensive service, so just wondering what should be insisted on for a service for a car that has effectively been off the road for a year?

Has it been on a trickle charger all that time or has it been allowed to go stone dead at any stage? Some car systems don’t like that so I’d be making sure everything looks ok electrically as well as mechanicals.

[mikiec]

swisstoni said:

Has it been on a trickle charger all that time or has it been allowed to go stone dead at any stage? Some car systems don’t like that so I’d be making sure everything looks ok electrically as well as mechanicals.

Had a reasonable test drive of it and it was fine, bar the AC possibly needing a regas.

[Diderot]

mikiec said:

So looking at a high mileage Audi R8 that’s been on the sales yard for 1 year. Prior to that it had an extensive service, so just wondering what should be insisted on for a service for a car that has effectively been off the road for a year?

Tyres for flat spots? I'd be wanting a new set just in case.

[mikiec]

Diderot said:

Tyres for flat spots? I'd be wanting a new set just in case.

Good point, I’ll check that out. I assume it gets repositioned around the yard a little but I intend to get a PPI so I’ll make a note about the tyres.

[Robertb]

Check brake discs for corrosion, inner and outer faces.

There’s a great buyers guide -Scottish Car Clan YouTube if you’ve not seen it, worth a look for other things to get checked out in the service.

Please post up a ‘readers car’ when you take delivery- sounds exciting!

[andburg]

a second service

one now as required by the schedule with a full inspection
another in 3 months time to check for rubber boots, and bits that had perished and then failed when the car started to be used again

edit: tyre dates, anything over 5 years old wants replacing
You may struggle to get much, even bought cheap by the dealer a year ago, the market has taken a dive so there may not be much flex left for them to do anything to avoid taking a bath on it.

Edited by andburg on Monday 29th January 08:52

Edited by andburg on Monday 29th January 08:54

[Robertb]

mikiec said:

swisstoni said:

Has it been on a trickle charger all that time or has it been allowed to go stone dead at any stage? Some car systems don’t like that so I’d be making sure everything looks ok electrically as well as mechanicals.

Had a reasonable test drive of it and it was fine, bar the AC possibly needing a regas.

Maybe but could be a compressor, which is a big job. Get that fault diagnosed pre purchase ideally.

[Caddyshack]

Surely one of the sales chaps would have used it from time to time?

[georgeyboy12345]

Can’t you find a better one that hasn’t been left outside unused for a year?

[MitchT]

In March last year I was interested in a BMW 440i that was showing as un-taxed since the previous June. My main concern was what sort of state the battery would be in if it hadn't been used for all that time. I couldn't seem to get a definitive answer. In the end I didn't buy it but had factored in the cost of a new battery in the event that I did.

[Mad Maximus]

A normal car probably nothing really but as this a sports/super car I would probably insist on your own inspection including a battery health check and an extra good look at the tyres. It isn’t a cheap car so it’s not worth the chance of relying on the selling garage.

[Sheepshanks]

Caddyshack said:

Surely one of the sales chaps would have used it from time to time?

Supposedly the incorrect use of trade plates has been clamped down, so it's become tricky for garages to do this now road tax gets cancelled automatically.

[mikiec]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Can’t you find a better one that hasn’t been left outside unused for a year?

I’m in New Zealand and it’s a GT spyder, might be 1 of 2 in the country, so no.

It’s now booked in with Audi for a PPI, so getting them to check the ceramics, clutch and have a good look at the tyres in addition to the standard items. Will also have a chat to them about the AC.
I know the ownership history and it’s had one owner for 8 years with FSH, then arrived in NZ had a owner for a few months who did a comprehensive service on it and then a year with the current car dealer.