No service history?
Discussion
First time back in the market for average family cars for a while. Looking at cars from around covid times and most have very patchy service history. Electronic apps taking over most of the logging but only show the dealer history with anything outside of the network claimed to be shredded for GDPR and no longer available leaving big gaps on most of the cars we have looked at. Do we just have to accept that there won't be much history anymore or should the contact details be added back to the v5 so you can check with the previous owners or time we had a central database that follows the car round logging all the work?
How much would you underbid on a 2019 car up for £13k with 50k miles which only shows the initial PDI and a single 6k mile service in 2020 on vin inspection with the vehicle app, does have the correct MOTs on the system but no services.
How much would you underbid on a 2019 car up for £13k with 50k miles which only shows the initial PDI and a single 6k mile service in 2020 on vin inspection with the vehicle app, does have the correct MOTs on the system but no services.
On the first point I would look for a car that does have a service history, if whatever you are looking at is an average family car there must be plenty of choice.
On the second point, you have to look at the price of the car against other similar cars in the market, is it even overpriced compared to others and if it is why not go for one of the cheaper ones? I'm not saying don't put in a lower offer but I think you have to be able to justify it for it to be given any serious consideration.
The days of trying to bid down a dealer just because are long gone, dealers have to price competitively to get a sniff now.
On the second point, you have to look at the price of the car against other similar cars in the market, is it even overpriced compared to others and if it is why not go for one of the cheaper ones? I'm not saying don't put in a lower offer but I think you have to be able to justify it for it to be given any serious consideration.
The days of trying to bid down a dealer just because are long gone, dealers have to price competitively to get a sniff now.
If you are able to get hold of the V5 reference number you can see where the MOT tests were carried out. This can sometimes give you an impression of past maintenance for example if MOTs were done at the main dealer vs Kwik fit.
Otherwise it's a case of looking at physical evidence of past servicing by inspecting things like brakes, tyres and oil quality.
Otherwise it's a case of looking at physical evidence of past servicing by inspecting things like brakes, tyres and oil quality.
Crusoe said:
First time back in the market for average family cars for a while. Looking at cars from around covid times and most have very patchy service history. Electronic apps taking over most of the logging but only show the dealer history with anything outside of the network claimed to be shredded for GDPR and no longer available leaving big gaps on most of the cars we have looked at. Do we just have to accept that there won't be much history anymore or should the contact details be added back to the v5 so you can check with the previous owners or time we had a central database that follows the car round logging all the work?
How much would you underbid on a 2019 car up for £13k with 50k miles which only shows the initial PDI and a single 6k mile service in 2020 on vin inspection with the vehicle app, does have the correct MOTs on the system but no services.
I'm guessing if you're having 2nd thoughts so would the next buyer. If its a bogo family car there will be others available with a proper service historyHow much would you underbid on a 2019 car up for £13k with 50k miles which only shows the initial PDI and a single 6k mile service in 2020 on vin inspection with the vehicle app, does have the correct MOTs on the system but no services.
Crusoe said:
How much would you underbid on a 2019 car up for £13k with 50k miles which only shows the initial PDI and a single 6k mile service in 2020 on vin inspection with the vehicle app, does have the correct MOTs on the system but no services.
I would assume it hasn't had a service in 44K miles so I wouldn't be looking at it.All these guys have to do is cut the name and address info from any paperwork.
That way I can still call those garages and confirm it's genuine. If I can't then I'm assuming it didn't happen
Common car but spec my wife wants is rare (8 in the uk at the moment). This one is at a dealer I have dealt with before and I would trust to warranty for 12 months and prep the car well. The price on this one is similar to the others at independent dealers and £1500 to 2k less than lower mileage approved used examples. Last few I have looked at have all had similar gaps in their history once I get the vin to do checks.
I would guess a few calls to the MOT garages and supplying dealer might find some more but have to assume it missed four services in 45k miles but might be worth a cheeky bid at £11k and get my garage guy to check it over before committing. Bound to be some major service items that are easy to check for replacement like cabin air filters or logs on the ecu that show then the service lights were deactivated?
I would guess a few calls to the MOT garages and supplying dealer might find some more but have to assume it missed four services in 45k miles but might be worth a cheeky bid at £11k and get my garage guy to check it over before committing. Bound to be some major service items that are easy to check for replacement like cabin air filters or logs on the ecu that show then the service lights were deactivated?
General Price said:
the-norseman said:
What cars need, is a little book that gets sold with the car, that gets stamped/filled in when serviced. With no owner details on it for GDPR etc.
I can sell you a book and a stamp so you can fill it in yourself. Stamp for the morons and receipts for everyone else.
I'm very sad, electronic service history gets uploaded to the car, I then add to my spreadsheet service/tyres/anything else I've spent and refer to the document numbers on the payment records on the spreadsheet, even the mileage when I purchased OEM winter screenwash! Haven't retired yet but will be soon, think of the fun I'm going to be having!
On some cars it doesn't really matter so long as the most recent has been done; ie you're "caught up" with servicing. And on others its important to see regular service history, eg Peugeot 1.2 wet belt engines.
Also, I'd expect a newer car to have FSH and make allowances for an older car to have gaps and/or the book isn't stamped the last few years.
It is rare to find a car that hasn't been serviced, even if the book isn't stamped and there's no receipts. Either its been done by a local garage who forget these things, or its been done DIY. But yes, occasionally you'll see a car which has missed the last few and is in terrible condition.
Since its a trusted dealer, are they doing a service + cambelt for it?
Also, I'd expect a newer car to have FSH and make allowances for an older car to have gaps and/or the book isn't stamped the last few years.
It is rare to find a car that hasn't been serviced, even if the book isn't stamped and there's no receipts. Either its been done by a local garage who forget these things, or its been done DIY. But yes, occasionally you'll see a car which has missed the last few and is in terrible condition.
Since its a trusted dealer, are they doing a service + cambelt for it?
Crusoe said:
First time back in the market for average family cars for a while. Looking at cars from around covid times and most have very patchy service history. Electronic apps taking over most of the logging but only show the dealer history with anything outside of the network claimed to be shredded for GDPR and no longer available leaving big gaps on most of the cars we have looked at. Do we just have to accept that there won't be much history anymore or should the contact details be added back to the v5 so you can check with the previous owners or time we had a central database that follows the car round logging all the work?
How much would you underbid on a 2019 car up for £13k with 50k miles which only shows the initial PDI and a single 6k mile service in 2020 on vin inspection with the vehicle app, does have the correct MOTs on the system but no services.
If it's a run of the mill family car, they'll be loads about so I'd just buy one that had better history.How much would you underbid on a 2019 car up for £13k with 50k miles which only shows the initial PDI and a single 6k mile service in 2020 on vin inspection with the vehicle app, does have the correct MOTs on the system but no services.
These cars have onboard service reminders. They have to be turned off, normally by a garage that has carried out a service. Check when the next service is due, most are within 2 years - if it is not showing as overdue it’s on schedule, although they can be ticked as “done” just as easily.
These cars have onboard service reminders. They have to be turned off, normally by a garage that has carried out a service. Check when the next service is due, most are within 2 years - if it is not showing as overdue it’s on schedule, although they can be ticked as “done” just as easily.
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