Missed service

[BillyB]

I’m looking at a Vantage V12S that was serviced in 2023 but hasn’t been serviced since and will be serviced before sale. It’s done 1,200 miles in this time.

How much of a problem is this from a value perspective? Practically I’m not worried as the car’s been lightly used (and would be inspected before purchase) but I don’t know if this is very uncommon for a Vantage and therefore a big red flag.

Thanks

Edited by BillyB on Saturday 17th May 17:05

[CSK1]

It wouldn’t worry me in the slightest, especially with such a low mileage since the last service was carried out. No big deal really if the car has been well looked after and is being serviced before delivery.

[paulrog1]

I don't think there's a problem, very low mileage car.

[Crumpet]

Any warranty with it will be invalid. Ask me how I know!

But if no warranty is needed or on offer it doesn’t sound like a problem.

[paulrog1]

Crumpet said:

Any warranty with it will be invalid. Ask me how I know!

But if no warranty is needed or on offer it doesn’t sound like a problem.

If is a V12VS then that's older than 3 years so no warranty unless from a AM dealer using a timeless years warranty.

Crumpet, what warranty issues have you had??

[skhannes]

This wouldn't bother me if the rest of the car meets the expectations I have.

[Calinours]

1200miles and 2 yrs between the car travelling to a shiny showroom to have an apprentice remove/overtighten/strip a few bolts, change the oil and maybe over refill, check a few things, make a nice video and write a report so the owner knows if his lights still work when paying the £1000 (plus VAT) bill. Not a problem practically of course or for a value perspective for all but the most pedantic of pedants.

The real issue here is how were those tiny miles accrued in the 2 yrs. Has the car been started/run periodically (ideally every month, minimum every 4-6months) or was it 1200 miles and then locked away for 2 yrs. MOT history can be helpful here.

AM specify annual service/checkup, but it isn't necessary if the car isn't being used, as long as it starts and rolls relatively frequently. Yes, lots of people still do the annual service religiously for fear of the car losing value, but these VH Astons are hardly £250k propositions. Sensible buyers will buy on price and condition, and a bi-annual stamp from a good indie where the car is lightly used, with evidence of actual remediation work being done is IMHO of more value than an annual 'official' dealer stamp in a book to indicate that the oil and maybe or maybe not some other stuff may have been done (maybe by said apprentice).

Mind you, if the 'official' stamp comes with invoice evidence that all the dealers annual recommendations (all fluids and filters, plus annual tyre, pad and disk change regardless of milage etc) have been done every year regardless of cost by the main dealer then that's the diamond I'd go for these days...

[Crumpet]

paulrog1 said:

If is a V12VS then that's older than 3 years so no warranty unless from a AM dealer using a timeless years warranty.

Crumpet, what warranty issues have you had??

Yeah, I was assuming either the AM Timeless or, if purchased from a non main dealer, whatever their warranty of choice. It’s an easy way to wriggle out of paying (unless the garage itself warranting the car, which some do).

I had an issue with the Timeless warranty. Bought a car with the transferable Timeless (18 months remaining) and my first claim was rejected due to the service history being out of alignment (correct number of services, but the timespan between service 4 & 5 was outside their policy - 1000 miles and 1 month leeway). An expensive lesson!