Buying a car with no service history

pajosjunkbox

Hi guys,

Looking for your opinion on this. I'm about to pay 4500 for 2008 Honda Frv EX 1.8. Car has 2 owners. First owner had it for 7 years and second had it for 2 years. It's clean and ok milage at 130,000 km. New tyres, break pads, full years tax and NCT. All going well ..... Except....

No service history book. It's been lost !

There are two stickers on the door indicating services and I rang a Honda garage and they have logged two other services ... One in 2009 and one in 2011.

It's a private sale. Car seems good to drive and looks well. Full leather and high spec.
Do I take a chance or walk away ? I'm leaning towards taking a chance to be honest. Car history check is OK .

colm_mcm

They're as tough as old boots. As long as the engine isn't making any odd noises, and it drives ok, chances are it'll be grand.

choons

At least 4 services over 130k is regular enough and it's good sign they used the same garage 4 times. Wouldn't worry there.

Do you know which tax system the car is on? If it has older tax at ~€630 a year, €4500 asking price seems a bit high. Might be worth checking out.

NIMAN

Funnily enough I opened this thread to read it as I bought a car 2 or 3 yrs ago which had no service history as well, and I wanted to see what the advice was.

The car I was looking at was.......... a 2008 Honda frv!

Anyway,I took a mechanic with me, he gave a damn good check over and I bought it. Been going like a dream since. Great cars.

Of course it's a risk, but if you could get hold of a good mechanic to go with you, use the lack of service book as a bargaining chip.

colm_mcm

choons wrote: »

Do you know which tax system the car is on? If it has older tax at ~€630 a year, €4500 asking price seems a bit high. Might be worth checking out.

It's €750 on the new system

choons

colm_mcm wrote: »

It's €750 on the new system

Some 08 cars drop in value because of the tax differences, guess it's not a factor here though.

NIMAN

Mine is 636

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

I bought a mini with no service record. I called a few garages and there was some history, but not a lot. Bought it anyway as it was cheap and I was able to fix the bits that I knew were needed by myself. Still going well, but obviously it's a bit of a risk.

colm_mcm

NIMAN wrote: »

Mine is 636

Most 08s are. There was only a handful of petrols registered after July. less than 10% of them.

pajosjunkbox

choons wrote:

Do you know which tax system the car is on? If it has older tax at ~€630 a year, €4500 asking price seems a bit high. Might be worth checking out.

I actually thought it was good value with milage. It's an ex model so the highest spec ??

NIMAN

Yeah, EX is top spec.
Wanted one of those myself, couldn't track one down in time, so I ended up with the SE, which is still well specd

colm_mcm

Yes, I think the EX is the highest spec, they have leather. Not sure I'm gone on the leather, it doesn't really suit the car. Massively practical for kids of course.

pajosjunkbox

Any opinion on the price ?

pajosjunkbox

Any opinion on the price ? Tax is on the old system. 636

pajosjunkbox

colm_mcm wrote:

Yes, I think the EX is the highest spec, they have leather. Not sure I'm gone on the leather, it doesn't really suit the car. Massively practical for kids of course.

Funny. I'm the opposite. Find the cloth seats very dated in FRV. Love the leather though. Hence why I'm keen to take a chance on this one as they don't come up too often.

choons

pajosjunkbox wrote: »

Any opinion on the price ? Tax is on the old system. 636

Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned price. Seems high to me but I'm not in the best person to ask.

If it is the car you want and you have been looking a while then go for it. Consensus is not to be put off about the missing history.

colm_mcm

Price doesn't seem high to me.

pajosjunkbox

Ended up buying today. 1 year tax on it which is worth 630 so think it's an alright price. Drove home from Dublin in it and it seemed fine. Not as solid as my superb estate but I expected that. Pity the superb can't take three car seats in the back. Or maybe I should stop adding to the already expanding population !

pajosjunkbox

Thanks for the help lads. Here she is ...

pajosjunkbox

And another ....

NIMAN

Best of luck with it, should serve you well.

pajosjunkbox

Thanks Niman. I know you have one . Hopefully do me for a few years. Then get back into an estate !