Advise please

HAMMERCURRENT

I'm looking at a 2004 petrol fabia estate 1198 cc tomorrow, I've looked them up on Parkers and What car, can anyone suggest anything in particular I should look out for? The car in question has been serviced (I'm told) but no service history, it has 110,000 miles on the clock, is there any critical things that should have been covered during servicing with this mileage?

Thanks in advance

Henry Ford III

No service history = potential for disaster

ironclaw

Henry Ford III wrote: »

No service history = disaster

As above. With that mileage you'd be a lunatic to buy it.

MugMugs

Those engines are the same that go into Polo's..... An estate Fabia??

:eek:

They chew coil packs and the internal buttons etc can be weak...

Walk on.

HAMMERCURRENT

I was concerned about lack of service history, spoke to present owner (2 previous owners) on phone, I'll call up and see does he have any receipts for any work done, and take from there.

HAMMERCURRENT

Went to see the car this morning, over all it's in reasonable condition, but no documented service history!
Assuming that the car was neglected servicing wise in it's earlier life, what is the worst case scenario for future problems with this particular engine? wild speculation is fine!! just looking for potential problems.

Thanks.

the_syco

HAMMERCURRENT wrote: »

The car in question has been serviced (I'm told) but no service history, it has 110,000 miles on the clock

Does it have a timing belt or chain? The belt would be probably running on overtime, or if it was a timing chain, you'd wonder was it kept topped up oil wise?

So, with no service history, you may need new wheels, new brake pads, suspension, possibly a new engine, new air filters...

You'd be best spending money for an AA person to go out and have a look at it if you're going to ignore all other advice here.

I'm thinking you're buying it as it's a low price, without thinking maybe it's a low price because there's something wrong with it?

HAMMERCURRENT

the_syco wrote: »

Does it have a timing belt or chain? The belt would be probably running on overtime, or if it was a timing chain, you'd wonder was it kept topped up oil wise?

So, with no service history, you may need new wheels, new brake pads, suspension, possibly a new engine, new air filters...

You'd be best spending money for an AA person to go out and have a look at it if you're going to ignore all other advice here.

I'm thinking you're buying it as it's a low price, without thinking maybe it's a low price because there's something wrong with it?

It's a timing chain, I'm happy enough with filters, oil, brakes and suspension
my concern is the potential future problems with mainly the engine if it wasn't maintained properly. Without any paper trail, I'm assuming the worst, it is possible the car was serviced correctly by the previous owners, but without a service history I assume it wasn't.
The car isn't particularly cheap, but if I make an offer it will be quite low, to reflect my concerns about it's history.

the_syco

HAMMERCURRENT wrote: »

It's a timing chain

With no service history, I'd wonder what the oil is like? If the oil runs low on a car with a timing chain, it would be a bad thing.

HAMMERCURRENT wrote: »

The car isn't particularly cheap, but if I make an offer it will be quite low, to reflect my concerns about it's history.

Well, if you're really sure on buying it, either get your mechanic to look at it, or maybe have the AA send a mechanic to look at it? Just to ensure that there's no obvious (to them) faults with it.

HAMMERCURRENT

Thanks the_syco

I agree with what you are saying, and appreciate your replies, I'm actually not that pushed on the car, it is one of many that I have considered. Still hunting!

Lupo_solitario

Sorry to jump in my sisters husband had one , it drank petrol and he used to have it serviced and he looked after it , when i changed my almera and sold it to him (99 almera ) he could not believe the difference and he still has the almera , still going strong no major work done since 99

CiniO

Henry Ford III wrote: »

No service history = potential for disaster

the_syco wrote: »

With no service history, I'd wonder what the oil is like? If the oil runs low on a car with a timing chain, it would be a bad thing.


Well, if you're really sure on buying it, either get your mechanic to look at it, or maybe have the AA send a mechanic to look at it? Just to ensure that there's no obvious (to them) faults with it.

Guys...
We are talking about 8 years old car.
Cars that old for sale in Ireland, very seldom have any service history.
I bought my car when it was 7 years old, and previous owner had no documentation TBH. After owning it for nearly 1.5 year, I'm pretty confident car was well cared for.
I care for it probably even better, but I still wouldn't have any service history except from a little excel sheet where I note what and when was done to the car.

Potential buyer would have to trust my word.

HAMMERCURRENT

CiniO wrote: »

I care for it probably even better, but I still wouldn't have any service history except from a little excel sheet where I note what and when was done to the car.

Potential buyer would have to trust my word.

Funny enough if someone went to the trouble of recording a service history on a spread sheet I would take notice of it, but when someone doesn't even have a receipt from a motor factors for oil and filter, never mind a service history, I would assume that the car is not properly serviced.

gammygils

A Skoda Combi. They are a great car. Very roomy.110k isn't high mileage for an 8 yr. old car - 13k a year roughly. Around average. No FSH. I wouldn't be too worried.Use your judgement. If the emissions are fine. No blue smoke. No fumes.And the engine looks clean and sounds OK. No rattling or banging.Get it checked out.I'd go for it