Rookie buyer service concerns.
Discussion
Hi people...
FINALLY I have reason to post here :-) well almost !
I have agreed a price for a 2006 vantage, subject to my test drive. I have been to see the car and must says its immaculate.
The concern is, its a 2006 one with only 20k on the clock which is great, but full service history up to early 2008 only. Now I don't know if the car has been sitting idle or not since but either way its short 2 services. The deal I have of course includes the car been fully serviced by aston before I take it and I will probably get the warranty renewed.
Will the full service find and sort any problems that may have occurred in two years of non servicing? Is the vantage likely to have developed many a problem if left without service e.g seals failing, It has low mileage so don't think its been ragged hard and on close inspection it really is immaculate in and out.
As for the move myself, I am jumping from an R32 to this so really full filling a dream, and well its just a financial stretch that has been quietly ushered into the corner and conviently ignored to make way for living life.
Will I ever grow up..
O yea I know the rules of Aston forum.....
When posting include pics and
when asked about the aston forum, answer ! there is no aston forum.
Car is 2006, manual, silver, 20k , sat nav, park dist, premium sound, etc etc
FINALLY I have reason to post here :-) well almost !
I have agreed a price for a 2006 vantage, subject to my test drive. I have been to see the car and must says its immaculate.
The concern is, its a 2006 one with only 20k on the clock which is great, but full service history up to early 2008 only. Now I don't know if the car has been sitting idle or not since but either way its short 2 services. The deal I have of course includes the car been fully serviced by aston before I take it and I will probably get the warranty renewed.
Will the full service find and sort any problems that may have occurred in two years of non servicing? Is the vantage likely to have developed many a problem if left without service e.g seals failing, It has low mileage so don't think its been ragged hard and on close inspection it really is immaculate in and out.
As for the move myself, I am jumping from an R32 to this so really full filling a dream, and well its just a financial stretch that has been quietly ushered into the corner and conviently ignored to make way for living life.
Will I ever grow up..
O yea I know the rules of Aston forum.....
When posting include pics and
when asked about the aston forum, answer ! there is no aston forum.
Car is 2006, manual, silver, 20k , sat nav, park dist, premium sound, etc etc
yaeger said:
Hi people...
O yea I know the rules of Aston forum.....
When posting include pics and
when asked about the aston forum, answer ! there is no aston forum.
Car is 2006, manual, silver, 20k , sat nav, park dist, premium sound, etc etc
"Silver" - one special rule is that you cannot just say silver - is it lightning silver, tungsten silver, titanium silver....O yea I know the rules of Aston forum.....
When posting include pics and
when asked about the aston forum, answer ! there is no aston forum.
Car is 2006, manual, silver, 20k , sat nav, park dist, premium sound, etc etc
:-)
Best of luck with the purchase!
Hi and welcome.
Do you know the mileage at the last service? This will obviously tell you how much has been put on since.
When you say its getting a full service before you take up ownership, I presume this is from a main dealer.
If they also warranty it, check what it covers.
Many expensive items are not covered using the wear and tear get out clause, judging by some recent posts on here.
The thing to remember is that there are quite a few 'garage queens' that do very few miles. Personally I prefer one that has had regular use.
5,000miles pa seems to be pretty reasonable.
Also, can you see how many previous owners it has had?
It may be possible to contact the last and ask a few questions.
There are those here who can give you much more technical advice, but if the car is immaculate, what you want, serviced and warrantied all at the right price then it doesn't seem a bad deal to me.
I reckon quite a few who put on low mileage just sometimes don't see the need r the annual service.
Prepared to be told I am talking rubbish, but just my two pence worth of encouragement.
Good luck and yes pics please if you proceed.
Di
Do you know the mileage at the last service? This will obviously tell you how much has been put on since.
When you say its getting a full service before you take up ownership, I presume this is from a main dealer.
If they also warranty it, check what it covers.
Many expensive items are not covered using the wear and tear get out clause, judging by some recent posts on here.
The thing to remember is that there are quite a few 'garage queens' that do very few miles. Personally I prefer one that has had regular use.
5,000miles pa seems to be pretty reasonable.
Also, can you see how many previous owners it has had?
It may be possible to contact the last and ask a few questions.
There are those here who can give you much more technical advice, but if the car is immaculate, what you want, serviced and warrantied all at the right price then it doesn't seem a bad deal to me.
I reckon quite a few who put on low mileage just sometimes don't see the need r the annual service.
Prepared to be told I am talking rubbish, but just my two pence worth of encouragement.
Good luck and yes pics please if you proceed.
Di
Welcome to the mad house 
First up, lack of full service history is not a real reason to be worried and will not guarantee the quality of the car either way.
However...it will make the car more awkward to sell to a greater or lesser extent. At any one time there are a lot of cars for sale. All will allegedly be similar spec ("fully spec'd"), similar condition ("1 careful owner. A1") and similar in price. If yours is the only one with a patchy history, it will prevent calls to you unless there is another differentiator - usually price - no matter what common sense should dictate.
Hence you must take account of this in the purchase price (you lose money when you buy, not when you sell
). And when assessing the purchase price, you must take account of the *full* specification of the car you are buying against the others available. There were a lot of expensive options available on these cars when new and you need to be fully cognisant of what "your" car does and does not have. If you drop me an email I can send you a list of the options and their prices as at 2007 (if I remember I'll post them somewhere).
2x missed services will have saved someone around 2kGBP give or take (nearer 1200GBP if they used Indies). Couldn't care less what anyone else thinks, but I'd be using that as a negotiating point.
Next.
Low mileage, especially in this circumstance, is not your friend. These cars have common niggles that only come to the surface and get resolved with miles and thorough servicing. This isn't to say, again, that the car you are looking at is intrinsically "bad". But it may not yet have experienced said niggles.
Do a thorough search on here for a list of them (stiff gearbox; rust bubbles around the door handles; rattles and squeaks; thermostat; farting noise from the passenger footwell; squealing belts; etc), and check through the service documentation that the car does have to see if they've been fixed. If they have, tip top. If they haven't, a warranty will be helpful (but not a cast iron defence). The warranty will likely cost somewhere between 1k and 2k (search on here for actual prices), which again I'd be using in negotiations. Most of the niggles that do happen don't cost a huge amount to fix, but you don't want to be shelling out cash a few hundred miles after purchase if you can help it.
Don't let any of the above put you off the specific car you're looking at. It may be a corker and may be being offered at a bargain price owing to its lack of history etc etc. Just go in with your head, armed with as much knowledge as you can, rather than your heart (all too easy with cars like these).
And remember, if you don't get the deal you want, walk away. There are plenty more for sale, and will be for quite some time. These cars are not appreciating so more and more will enter into your buy zone the longer you take searching for the absolute best car you can afford. The key thing is that you find a properly good, sorted, well looked after example so the excitement you're feeling not doesn't wear off.
It's all worth it. They're brilliant
First up, lack of full service history is not a real reason to be worried and will not guarantee the quality of the car either way.
However...it will make the car more awkward to sell to a greater or lesser extent. At any one time there are a lot of cars for sale. All will allegedly be similar spec ("fully spec'd"), similar condition ("1 careful owner. A1") and similar in price. If yours is the only one with a patchy history, it will prevent calls to you unless there is another differentiator - usually price - no matter what common sense should dictate.
Hence you must take account of this in the purchase price (you lose money when you buy, not when you sell
). And when assessing the purchase price, you must take account of the *full* specification of the car you are buying against the others available. There were a lot of expensive options available on these cars when new and you need to be fully cognisant of what "your" car does and does not have. If you drop me an email I can send you a list of the options and their prices as at 2007 (if I remember I'll post them somewhere).2x missed services will have saved someone around 2kGBP give or take (nearer 1200GBP if they used Indies). Couldn't care less what anyone else thinks, but I'd be using that as a negotiating point.
Next.
Low mileage, especially in this circumstance, is not your friend. These cars have common niggles that only come to the surface and get resolved with miles and thorough servicing. This isn't to say, again, that the car you are looking at is intrinsically "bad". But it may not yet have experienced said niggles.
Do a thorough search on here for a list of them (stiff gearbox; rust bubbles around the door handles; rattles and squeaks; thermostat; farting noise from the passenger footwell; squealing belts; etc), and check through the service documentation that the car does have to see if they've been fixed. If they have, tip top. If they haven't, a warranty will be helpful (but not a cast iron defence). The warranty will likely cost somewhere between 1k and 2k (search on here for actual prices), which again I'd be using in negotiations. Most of the niggles that do happen don't cost a huge amount to fix, but you don't want to be shelling out cash a few hundred miles after purchase if you can help it.
Don't let any of the above put you off the specific car you're looking at. It may be a corker and may be being offered at a bargain price owing to its lack of history etc etc. Just go in with your head, armed with as much knowledge as you can, rather than your heart (all too easy with cars like these).
And remember, if you don't get the deal you want, walk away. There are plenty more for sale, and will be for quite some time. These cars are not appreciating so more and more will enter into your buy zone the longer you take searching for the absolute best car you can afford. The key thing is that you find a properly good, sorted, well looked after example so the excitement you're feeling not doesn't wear off.
It's all worth it. They're brilliant
..service history up to early 2008 only...
So if I have read you correctly there has been NO service work for over 3 years? The only way it would be worth considering was if it has been sat doing nothing and been looked after during that period of time. Has it got MOTs and Tax from the last three years? If it's been driven then whoever owned it thinks that servicing a £80k car is not required and that would seriously worry me.
Pay for a proper inspection and get a full service done PRIOR to purchase. There could be loads of issues, there might not be. Unless you've come intp serious cash recently and bearing in mind you are coming from a Golf I would tread hyper-carefully.
How much is the car up for sale at?
I think most on here would prefer a fully serviced 50k miler.
So if I have read you correctly there has been NO service work for over 3 years? The only way it would be worth considering was if it has been sat doing nothing and been looked after during that period of time. Has it got MOTs and Tax from the last three years? If it's been driven then whoever owned it thinks that servicing a £80k car is not required and that would seriously worry me.
Pay for a proper inspection and get a full service done PRIOR to purchase. There could be loads of issues, there might not be. Unless you've come intp serious cash recently and bearing in mind you are coming from a Golf I would tread hyper-carefully.
How much is the car up for sale at?
I think most on here would prefer a fully serviced 50k miler.
Edited by MrOrange on Wednesday 18th May 16:59
Jockman said:
You will get a 1 year warranty with the purchase, so that should afford you a modicum of peace of mind.
Surely they have advised as to why it has not been serviced for 3 years (ie missed 2). Certainly I would be looking to find out before parting with good money
how do you know that its a purchase from a dealer Jockman ?......sounds like a private purchase to me.....if it is my advise is speak to the dealer that's looked after it, they will have its history....personally if your unsure then pay for check over by the local dealer or pay DMS to check it over.....better waste £300 on a check than 38k on a problem car. have you HPI the car to check its history and finally welcome to the club Surely they have advised as to why it has not been serviced for 3 years (ie missed 2). Certainly I would be looking to find out before parting with good money
Yup! Murph and Michael are correct. OP has not made clear who the seller is and I have assumed that a statement about an Aston service relates to the actual seller being a Dealer.
So, possibly a private sale...
No service for approx 3 years...
Definitely follow the advise on offer here.
Caveat Emptor
So, possibly a private sale...
No service for approx 3 years...
Definitely follow the advise on offer here.
Caveat Emptor
I couldn't agree more with the comments. It would need to be at least £5k cheaper than the next for me to look at it.
If they have held of paying for services then what else have they avoided paying for.
From speaking with David at works service his comments were the best cars are those that have been driven.
If they car has been sat up for a while you could need new brakes, lines, tyres and a service which would cost at least you 5k that you could save plus have problems when selling in the future.
If they have held of paying for services then what else have they avoided paying for.
From speaking with David at works service his comments were the best cars are those that have been driven.
If they car has been sat up for a while you could need new brakes, lines, tyres and a service which would cost at least you 5k that you could save plus have problems when selling in the future.
I couldn't agree more with the comments. It would need to be at least £5k cheaper than the next for me to look at it.
If they have held of paying for services then what else have they avoided paying for.
From speaking with David at works service his comments were the best cars are those that have been driven.
If they car has been sat up for a while you could need new brakes, lines, tyres and a service which would cost at least you 5k that you could save plus have problems when selling in the future.
If they have held of paying for services then what else have they avoided paying for.
From speaking with David at works service his comments were the best cars are those that have been driven.
If they car has been sat up for a while you could need new brakes, lines, tyres and a service which would cost at least you 5k that you could save plus have problems when selling in the future.
Mike Scott said:
If they car has been sat up for a while you could need new brakes, lines, tyres and a service which would cost at least you 5k that you could save plus have problems when selling in the future.
Yep. I think this might be one to avoid unless it's very cheap - but as stated above, you might well end up paying out what you think you've saved. 3 years is a long time with no maintenance, for various reasons my service has been done a month late and that makes me uncomfortable...I wouldn't buy it, too many question marks for me unless it was somehow unique or unusually desirable for another reason. There are plenty of other Vantages to choose from, they're 10 a penny
For fear of being completely bias here (being as my 26K mile 2006 is up for sale!), I would be very worried about someone owning a £40K car and not spending the £4-500 per year in servicing which is what I'd consider the minimum to look after it!
I've already sourced my replacement Roadster, and it was one of the first things I looked for; a service history (either main dealer or indy). Price needs to seriously reflect the fact that missing 2-3 services has the potential to cost a fair bit more than one with a proven track record.
As many have said, rather depressingly for me there's several others on offer at the moment so why take the financial risk.
Rich
I've already sourced my replacement Roadster, and it was one of the first things I looked for; a service history (either main dealer or indy). Price needs to seriously reflect the fact that missing 2-3 services has the potential to cost a fair bit more than one with a proven track record.
As many have said, rather depressingly for me there's several others on offer at the moment so why take the financial risk.
Rich
I was in the same position in Feb , found a 55 plate Tungsen silver vantage v8 with 25,700 miles on the clock - last service was done in Jan 2008.
Car has done 5000 miles in 3 years and almost exactly a 1000 miles since the last MOT in Feb 2010.
Had the car checked over by Aston dealership in Walton on Thames which flagged a few issues.
Went ahead , bought the car at what I though was a very attractive price......
Took it to Rick at DMS in April for a full service and had a few other bits done whilst there.
..and now couldn't be happier ( well except a curbed a newly refurbed wheel this morning when parking !! )
So in my opinion , don't rule the car out , just make sure you get it fully checked over and buy at the right price.
Cheers,
Nick
Car has done 5000 miles in 3 years and almost exactly a 1000 miles since the last MOT in Feb 2010.
Had the car checked over by Aston dealership in Walton on Thames which flagged a few issues.
Went ahead , bought the car at what I though was a very attractive price......
Took it to Rick at DMS in April for a full service and had a few other bits done whilst there.
..and now couldn't be happier ( well except a curbed a newly refurbed wheel this morning when parking !! )
So in my opinion , don't rule the car out , just make sure you get it fully checked over and buy at the right price.
Cheers,
Nick
yaeger said:
Hi people...
FINALLY I have reason to post here :-) well almost !
I have agreed a price for a 2006 vantage, subject to my test drive. I have been to see the car and must says its immaculate.
The concern is, its a 2006 one with only 20k on the clock which is great, but full service history up to early 2008 only. Now I don't know if the car has been sitting idle or not since but either way its short 2 services. The deal I have of course includes the car been fully serviced by aston before I take it and I will probably get the warranty renewed.
Will the full service find and sort any problems that may have occurred in two years of non servicing? Is the vantage likely to have developed many a problem if left without service e.g seals failing, It has low mileage so don't think its been ragged hard and on close inspection it really is immaculate in and out.
As for the move myself, I am jumping from an R32 to this so really full filling a dream, and well its just a financial stretch that has been quietly ushered into the corner and conviently ignored to make way for living life.
Will I ever grow up..
O yea I know the rules of Aston forum.....
When posting include pics and
when asked about the aston forum, answer ! there is no aston forum.
Car is 2006, manual, silver, 20k , sat nav, park dist, premium sound, etc etc
I'm sure others may have a view on this, but in my experience the thing that tends to be most problematic on a infrequently used car is the AC. The refrigerent in the pressurised AC system has a lubricant in it which keeps seals within the compressor gas tight.FINALLY I have reason to post here :-) well almost !
I have agreed a price for a 2006 vantage, subject to my test drive. I have been to see the car and must says its immaculate.
The concern is, its a 2006 one with only 20k on the clock which is great, but full service history up to early 2008 only. Now I don't know if the car has been sitting idle or not since but either way its short 2 services. The deal I have of course includes the car been fully serviced by aston before I take it and I will probably get the warranty renewed.
Will the full service find and sort any problems that may have occurred in two years of non servicing? Is the vantage likely to have developed many a problem if left without service e.g seals failing, It has low mileage so don't think its been ragged hard and on close inspection it really is immaculate in and out.
As for the move myself, I am jumping from an R32 to this so really full filling a dream, and well its just a financial stretch that has been quietly ushered into the corner and conviently ignored to make way for living life.
Will I ever grow up..
O yea I know the rules of Aston forum.....
When posting include pics and
when asked about the aston forum, answer ! there is no aston forum.
Car is 2006, manual, silver, 20k , sat nav, park dist, premium sound, etc etc
If the vehicle is not used for ages the seals tend to dry out and the refrigerant escapes.
Some years back we had a Corrade Storm with retrofit AC on it that we bought "low mileage". That lost its gas every 9 months or so in spite of us using it on a regular basis, however there were never any "leaks" found. I reckon once the seals are deteriorated then they never recover. How much to renew them all I can't comment, but I'm prepared to bet it ain't cheap.
As stated over and over by other forum members, in many ways a well maintained and used car is preferable to a low mileage occasional drive and that is a view I agree with.
peterr96 said:
Some years back we had a Corrade Storm with retrofit AC on it that we bought "low mileage". That lost its gas every 9 months or so in spite of us using it on a regular basis, however there were never any "leaks" found..
If you mean a Corrado Storm, the AC units, which were retrofitted despite supposedly being factory fitted when ordered on a new car, were always problematic....Period! Same went for the cruise control. This had little to do with mileage and everything to do with it being a c
y unit.Mike Scott said:
From speaking with David at works service his comments were the best cars are those that have been driven.
If they car has been sat up for a while you could need new brakes, lines, tyres and a service which would cost at least you 5k that you could save plus have problems when selling in the future.
This is spot on and often counter intuitive.If they car has been sat up for a while you could need new brakes, lines, tyres and a service which would cost at least you 5k that you could save plus have problems when selling in the future.
From my personal experience from S2000's many of the low mileage cars suffered brake seizures, sticking clutches, tight gearboxes and all the other signs of standing for long periods.
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