very low milage car in storage without annual services
Discussion
Is there any potential issue I should be aware of before buying a low milage car (sub 2000 miles, 2014 or 2015 registered) with only first service done.I have viewed 3 cars and really like one 458 Speciale. In addition to the huge premium, the lack of annual service also concerns me. it is said to have been in storage (with battery charger on) since the first service. The car does only have 30 miles more on the meter than the milage on the first service record. While I understand the car might only have been driven 30 miles since last service, it has been over 4 years since the last service was done! I know a new set of tyre is surely required. Anything else? Thanks for your help.
A car that is sat idle will be in much worse mechanical condition than one which is driven regularly.
I'd get it checked out thoroughly by a specialist if buying.
(Even in Winter, when not driving a car, I try to take each car out at least every 3 weeks and get heat into them with a 5 mile drive. Keeps things lubricated and moving.)
I'd get it checked out thoroughly by a specialist if buying.
(Even in Winter, when not driving a car, I try to take each car out at least every 3 weeks and get heat into them with a 5 mile drive. Keeps things lubricated and moving.)
Jack-flash said:
Jumping in on this , I normally start mine once every 3-4 weeks and leave it ticking over , as I live semi rural and even 1-2 miles it’s pitted , my question really is ticking over nd running , is there any difference
It's been suggested ticking over is worse than not starting, might get heat in the engine but not the rest of the drivetrain,potentially resulting in a hot engine, cold gearbox/ diff. Furthermore the water might get to temp, but has the oil, exhaust and cats, resulting in water vapour.Jack-flash said:
Jumping in on this , I normally start mine once every 3-4 weeks and leave it ticking over , as I live semi rural and even 1-2 miles it’s pitted , my question really is ticking over nd running , is there any difference
Leaving a car idling is not good for it. You need to take it for a drive instead.LotusJas said:
Jack-flash said:
Jumping in on this , I normally start mine once every 3-4 weeks and leave it ticking over , as I live semi rural and even 1-2 miles it’s pitted , my question really is ticking over nd running , is there any difference
Leaving a car idling is not good for it. You need to take it for a drive instead.F355GTS said:
Given the service are free it seems crazy the owner has not kept the service record up to date.
Bonkers given the dealer will collect it and return it FOC in a trailer for you too. Ferrari may not honour warranty or further free services if it hasn't been done on time. More likely they wont than will. I missed a service by 4 months on my Speciale once (it was laid up over winter and I just forgot) and the dealer told me they had to ask Ferrari if it could still have it's free service (could have been flannel though).
I know of a 62 plate 458 that had its first annual service at 8k and was parked up about a month later with only a few hundred miles since the service.
Jump forward 3 years and the owner had a 4 year old car with just over 8k, no MOT, no services for 3 years, Value was really hit by dealer when he sold it back but they quickly turned it round as Ferrari approved for nearly £20k mark up.
Jump forward 3 years and the owner had a 4 year old car with just over 8k, no MOT, no services for 3 years, Value was really hit by dealer when he sold it back but they quickly turned it round as Ferrari approved for nearly £20k mark up.
South tdf said:
I know of a 62 plate 458 that had its first annual service at 8k and was parked up about a month later with only a few hundred miles since the service.
Jump forward 3 years and the owner had a 4 year old car with just over 8k, no MOT, no services for 3 years, Value was really hit by dealer when he sold it back but they quickly turned it round as Ferrari approved for nearly £20k mark up.
Yes it matters for you but not for the selling dealer! Jump forward 3 years and the owner had a 4 year old car with just over 8k, no MOT, no services for 3 years, Value was really hit by dealer when he sold it back but they quickly turned it round as Ferrari approved for nearly £20k mark up.
Also, there is no reason it would require tyres.
johnnyreggae said:
cayman-black said:
Also, there is no reason it would require tyres.
Seven year old tyres according to most manufacturers are well past their best johnnyreggae said:
cayman-black said:
Also, there is no reason it would require tyres.
Seven year old tyres according to most manufacturers are well past their best CitySlicker said:
Old tyres are dreadful especially on performance cars. The grip level is very low and the ride was harsh in a way that the tyre walls did not allow for any compression making it very uncomfortable over rough surfaces.
And tyres are what make you stop, not the brakes!If the car has been stored well and extra air put in the tyres they would be fine as would the car. Dont forget that all your cars that have been serviced every year have probably not even had the oil and filter changed , garage con, plus what other damage is done to the car when at the dealers , there are plenty of stories around.
I have just bought or nearly did new tyres that were three years old, company said they were fine!
I also have the original tyres on my V12V and they are also fine 2012 no cracks or any signs of ageing. The car is stored out of the sun and cold.
I have just bought or nearly did new tyres that were three years old, company said they were fine!
I also have the original tyres on my V12V and they are also fine 2012 no cracks or any signs of ageing. The car is stored out of the sun and cold.
Edited by cayman-black on Friday 5th April 15:09
littletiger said:
Is there any potential issue I should be aware of before buying a low milage car (sub 2000 miles, 2014 or 2015 registered) with only first service done.I have viewed 3 cars and really like one 458 Speciale. In addition to the huge premium, the lack of annual service also concerns me. it is said to have been in storage (with battery charger on) since the first service. The car does only have 30 miles more on the meter than the milage on the first service record. While I understand the car might only have been driven 30 miles since last service, it has been over 4 years since the last service was done! I know a new set of tyre is surely required. Anything else? Thanks for your help.
The Speciale is a fantastic car, so the premium over the standard car is fine to my eyes, but I couldn’t overlook the lack of servicing. Quite a few of my cars sit in storage most of the time, but even if they haven’t been driven much/at all they’re all serviced/MOT’d etc on time. There’s just no reason not to - yes it can be a hassle, yes it costs money, but this is a car worth upwards of 300k, so for the sake of a bit of time and money you’re keeping it in best condition and preserving its provenance. Personally I’d pass and find one with better history.you guys are amazing. thanks for all your comments.
I called an authorised service provider and asked about the validity of 7-year maintenance program in this particular case. They could not give me an answer straight away and said they need to ask Ferrari HQ. Later they called me back. They said they would need to inspect the car (for a fee) and replace whatever needs to be replaced (for a fee) to "restore the car to a satisfactory condition falling within the scope of the maintenance program". They did say there is a chance that nothing needs to be replaced except minor consumables. Then the owner would be able to enjoy the balance of the program. They said Ferrari's 7-year program has a "normal use" clause and 30 miles in 4 year since last service is clearly not qualified as "normal use". They said 0 mileage with annual service done on time is considered "normal use".
I have never owned F before so I don't have the T&C but I assume this is correct. I came back to the seller and asked if it is possible to carry out an inspection at my cost (3 to 5 hours labour cost) but the cost of part replacement to re-qualify the maintenance program will be deducted from the price. Obviously, I was told "no way". He actually got a bit angry with me and said he was willing to consider a token discount to list price but not a penny more. so no surprise, I gave it a pass.
Again, thanks very much for all your help.
I called an authorised service provider and asked about the validity of 7-year maintenance program in this particular case. They could not give me an answer straight away and said they need to ask Ferrari HQ. Later they called me back. They said they would need to inspect the car (for a fee) and replace whatever needs to be replaced (for a fee) to "restore the car to a satisfactory condition falling within the scope of the maintenance program". They did say there is a chance that nothing needs to be replaced except minor consumables. Then the owner would be able to enjoy the balance of the program. They said Ferrari's 7-year program has a "normal use" clause and 30 miles in 4 year since last service is clearly not qualified as "normal use". They said 0 mileage with annual service done on time is considered "normal use".
I have never owned F before so I don't have the T&C but I assume this is correct. I came back to the seller and asked if it is possible to carry out an inspection at my cost (3 to 5 hours labour cost) but the cost of part replacement to re-qualify the maintenance program will be deducted from the price. Obviously, I was told "no way". He actually got a bit angry with me and said he was willing to consider a token discount to list price but not a penny more. so no surprise, I gave it a pass.
Again, thanks very much for all your help.
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