Buying (First) Car with Partial Service History?

mosi

I'm on the lookout for my first car at the moment. I'm looking at Micras, 2003-2004, with a budget of €3000.
I saw one with a dealer that ticks a lot of boxes...Irish car, one owner, low mileage, new NCT, Cartell report etc. The dealer is one that I haven't heard any horror stories about either. I spoke to the dealer today though and when I asked if it has a FSH, he said that there is a partial service history on it. Is this something to be concerned about? My plan has been to view the car and, if it seems ok, to then get a mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection. However, should I bother if there isn't a FSH, or is this a standard enough occurrence with used cars?
I've already looked into a number of Micras for sale privately where the sun, moon and stars was promised with FSH, one owner etc., and the history reports have been shocking! One had serious mileage discrepancies while another was a UK import (the vendor pleaded ignorance on this). It seems really hard to find a nice, clean car so this one I'm planning on viewing seems good on a lot of counts.
Any advice much appreciated!

madcabbage

I bought my 07 golf as my first car, part service history for €6500. The more I look back, I think I was very risky purchase. Thank god the car has been trouble free the 3 years I've had it so far.
So no, it's not the worst thing in the world to not have part service history. But saying that, get the car checked by a mechanic, check it's history on cartell.ie and try to get a better price if you decide to purchase. Don't write the car off until you've test driven it and brought someone to look at it.

bazz26

The reality is an 11 or 12 year old car is not going to have a full service history. You have to judge a car of that age on condition and of course the outcome of a mechanical inspection. One thing to be aware of with those Micras is a rattling timing chain. They are weakness on that model.

Personally I'd be buying privately in this price range where the person selling it actually knows something about the car rather than just a dealer who took it as a part exchange. Also dealers very rarely offer anything extra in the way of comeback on cars of this age or price range.

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

Not sure with Nissan but I know some manufacturers keep any main dealer service history on file. You could call Nissan and ask.

mosi

Thanks for the replies. I agree that the car is probably worth a look, even without the FSH. I'm a bit concerned about the timing chain issue though...after Bazz highlighted it, I googled it and it seems to be a big problem with 2003+ Micras. I always thought the Micra was known for it's reliability.

However, there's been a further development today. I've seen a 2004 Clio advertised within budget, and with a dealer who my parents have been buying their cars from for over 30 years, with no problems. I'm going to check it out and see what it's like.

Moneymaker

Clio is better then those Micras imo.

punisher5112

Moneymaker wrote: »

Clio is better then those Micras imo.

Same car basically they share many parts.

Atlantic Dawn

In Ireland some cars that are 3 years old don't have a full service history or any that is verifiable, some may not have even had an oil change.