Would you stay away from buying this car?

regi3457

I found a really nice looking 2009 Opel and after doing the checks recommended on this site I was happy up until the owner sent me a photo of the service history. The odometer reads 60,000km but in the service book it only shows two services and the first service was done at around 35,000km in 2013. I was a bit worried because is it possible that the car was one the road for 4 years (2009 - 2013) without a service? The owner is the second owner purchased car from dealer at around 40,000km in early 2014 so that last service was done only just before the sale to the new owner who now is selling the car.

I suspect that the dealer wiped out the older service history, pulled back the odometer and sold the car with less mileage to this person. Would anybody else feel the same or would they say I was worrying too much and should go see the car anyway. Problem is it is far and I want to make the effort but not sure yet. Could anybody else let me know what they think please?

Golfgorfield

Walk away, then run, then drive away at pace.

If you had to come on a forum asking these questions then you already know the answer. When parting with a substantial amount of money there should be none of these questions in your mind.

ironclaw

Its fairly common in Ireland for people to take advantage of the free services usually offered under a warranty. These generally last two to four years, and then the first owner likely sells on. After this, the stamps usually stop. In the 2008 range, you have the beginning of recession as well, less money means less money on 'non-essentials' such as car services. There is nothing wrong with not having a fully stamped up book, as long as there is something else to back up any claims e.g. Receipts, Part documents, AutoFactor receipts. A car with absolutely nothing for 3 years is alarm bells. Anyone who gives a dime about the car will stuff the receipts in the glove box with the book, and personally I try pen the mileage on them too. An indie mechanic can be asked to stamp the book, and most do without hassle. If you care about a car, you'll be thinking of the resale value and be doing everything you can to maximise it. This starts with the history

regi3457

ironclaw wrote: »

Its fairly common in Ireland for people to take advantage of the free services usually offered under a warranty. These generally last two to four years, and then the first owner likely sells on. After this, the stamps usually stop.

Exactly, which is why it is weird that those first four years of the cars history there is nothing at all. The seller claims that there is one stamp because the car only needed to go for a service at 35,000km regardless of the cars age being 4 years at the time in 2013. My hunch tells me that the car had many services before this but the dealer changed the mileage, serviced the car, stamped the new book (the 35,000km service was done at same dealer that the current owner purchased the car) and sold the car as a one owner car with only 35,000km on the clock. Does it look like this to anybody else?

regi3457

Golfgorfield wrote: »

Walk away, then run, then drive away at pace.

If you had to come on a forum asking these questions then you already know the answer. When parting with a substantial amount of money there should be none of these questions in your mind.

haha, but I can't drive though need a car first

Golfgorfield

regi3457 wrote: »

Exactly, which is why it is weird that those first four years of the cars history there is nothing at all. The seller claims that there is one stamp because the car only needed to go for a service at 35,000km regardless of the cars age being 4 years at the time in 2013. My hunch tells me that the car had many services before this but the dealer changed the mileage, serviced the car, stamped the new book (the 35,000km service was done at same dealer that the current owner purchased the car) and sold the car as a one owner car with only 35,000km on the clock. Does it look like this to anybody else?

Thats exactly how it looks, walk away if you have a concern! Theres plenty of cars, wait until the right one comes that has a good history you are confident in.

millington

I personally would have serviced it more myself but sounds like the first owner just followed manufacturers guidelines?

ironclaw

millington wrote: »

I personally would have serviced it more myself but sounds like the first owner just followed manufacturers guidelines?

Quite possible the first owner rarely drove it or had a smaller commute. Its only 30km or so per day for the first years of ownership. What is the condition like otherwise?

regi3457

ironclaw wrote: »

Quite possible the first owner rarely drove it or had a smaller commute. Its only 30km or so per day for the first years of ownership. What is the condition like otherwise?

I am going to see the car today so will let you know. Aren't manufacturer guidelines to have the car serviced every year or every 10,000miles whichever comes first?

grogi

regi3457 wrote: »

I am going to see the car today so will let you know. Aren't manufacturer guidelines to have the car serviced every year or every 10,000miles whichever comes first?

Those are the common-sense guidelines.

Some manufacturers will try the servicing cost look more attractive for the first buyer and extend those - like every 2yrs/30000kkm. The car will survive to the end of warranty and what happens after that is just the owners problem...

Toyotafanboi

millington wrote: »

I personally would have serviced it more myself but sounds like the first owner just followed manufacturers guidelines?

Agreed. Personally I would service every 15k, but lots of manufacturers these days use 30k intervals between oil services.

4 years is still bit of a stretch but I wouldn't let this ruin my day if the car appears in good health.