Seller of BMW forgot timing chain was done

shnaek

Just looking for yer thoughts as usual! I rang a guy about a 520 BMW, had a lovely chat, seems like a genuine guy. I asked about the timing chain but he was saying this car didn't give timing chain problems, that the last BMW he had did, and that he had it done.
Anyway, before I drove the distance to his place I just texted him asking if he'd mind if I chatted his mechanic before I called to him.
He responded a while later no problem, sent on the number, and said now that I remember he did the timing chains last year.
What do ye think? Would ye forget that ye had the timing chain done?

MarkN

What year is it? You'd want proof of the work. Service history, the garage where it was done, receipt etc

That said, it wasn't as issue with the engine from 2014 onwards and some 2013 models as far as I know.

shnaek

MarkN wrote: »

What year is it? You'd want proof of the work. Service history, the garage where it was done, receipt etc

That said, it wasn't as issue with the engine from 2014 onwards and some 2013 models as with far as I know.

2012. Sound for that. Alarm bells are ringing with me because he didn't mention it when though I brought it up, but it could be genuine forgetfulness.

ShadowHearth

There is a sea of these BMWs out there and this one already uncertain. I would want prove of it, but now his mechanic can scribble anything you want.
I would walk away. Things like these are hard to forget.

bazz26

If the seller has no proof then assume it wasn't done and he is now telling you what you want to hear. The fact the seller changed his story would make me not trust anything else he says or what he is selling. Plenty of these cars out there for sale so you can afford to buy the best you can.

PsychoPete

If he wasn't any way mechanically minded then he could have forgotten but once there's an invoice for the chain been done, if not then I'd take it as it wasn't done

colm_mcm

You wouldn’t forget an invoice that big.

road_high

colm_mcm wrote: »

You wouldn’t forget an invoice that big.

That’s what I was about to say!!!

bazz26

Given it's pretty common knowledge these days you would think a seller would be emphasizing it being replaced as a selling point if it actually was changed.

pinktoe

Possibly he's selling the car for a friend or family and he asked them was it done after you asked him.

Most of us keep receipts for car stuff so hopefully he can prove it for you

jmreire

Alternatively, it may have been done under warranty? In which case there would not be any cost, or receipt's, but it would show in the vehicle history, if he can get a copy of that??

bazz26

A BMW dealer will tell if one of them replaced it.

shnaek

Thanks a million all of ye. I was thinking much the same - that you'd hardly forget the invoice, and that it would have been a selling point if he'd told me that when I asked on the phone, I'd have been straight to his door. A shame really, it looked great, but was probably too good to be true. 3 hour drive for me to check it out so I'm not going to bother, I'll keep looking, not in any great hurry.