Buying a car with no service history
Buying a car with no service history
Author
Discussion

Riknos

Original Poster:

4,701 posts

220 months

Monday 14th February 2011
quotequote all
Hi all,

Currently looking at purchasing a 94 imported MX5, but the car has no history or receipts since it has been in this country (2006). Would this put you off? It's currently with a wheeler-type dealer a few miles away so it's a bit of a trek to go see it. Looks very good condition from photos and has been modified slightly so assume the previous owner is a bit on an enthusiast, just curious as to why there is no history for it? Should I go with my eyes open and judge it on appearance, or is it something to steer clear of?

Any feedback, much appreciated.

Robb F

4,612 posts

187 months

Monday 14th February 2011
quotequote all
I bought my last car with no service history. Has run perfectly for the last 2 years.

take from that what you will..

Baryonyx

18,137 posts

175 months

Monday 14th February 2011
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Some people just don't care about that sort of thing, paperwork gets lost etc etc. That said, in these circumstances you ought to be extra careful. A sports car with no UK service history and modification sounds a bit dodgy...

otolith

61,987 posts

220 months

Monday 14th February 2011
quotequote all
Some people do all their own servicing.

Some people get the servicing done at a local garage and don't bother with the paperwork.

Some people don't service their cars at all.

rallycross

13,563 posts

253 months

Monday 14th February 2011
quotequote all
On an old banger it doesnt really matter just buy it on its current condition, if it drives well and checks out ok then fine, any recent work done is what matters.

Different story if you were talking about a 5 yr old M3 with no history = deeply suspicious.

But a 15 yr old Mx5 doesnt really matter that much - old, cheap and fairly simple car.

SplatSpeed

7,491 posts

267 months

Monday 14th February 2011
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check it out throughly

recommend a comprerssion test!

geeteeaye

2,369 posts

175 months

Monday 14th February 2011
quotequote all
If I were you - get the previous owner details off the V5 and give the previous keeper a ring. No FSH is often linked with being clocked/never maintained. Even if it's the case the owner has done the servicing themselves as a previous poster suggested, surely they would at least note the work done and date??

TooLateForAName

4,888 posts

200 months

Monday 14th February 2011
quotequote all
I'm terrible about keeping records on bog standard cars. I buy them and keep them a long time/plenty of miles so I know they are going to be almost valueless when I'm done.

Also I have a couple of friends and relatives in the trade so I can often source parts cheaply and get work done for beer or in a barter.

consequently I have very little history to pass on with the cars, but it is generally obvious if anyone asks me about what has been done that they haven't been overly scrimped on.

One thing I always look at when buying is the brand of oil filter. A decent one costs very little more than a crap one so I like to see a genuine or oem filter fitted. If there is a cheap crapy one then expect everything else to have been done on the cheap. Similarly batteries.