Service History

[l5foye]

I would like to know -when trading in a car at a dealer, how many times have you been asked about the car's service history? In my case, having traded many cars, I have never been asked about the service history. I just wonder if we attach too much importance to it. My own view for what is worth is, when buying a second hand car, it is how it drives and performs on the day.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I would like to know -when trading in a car at a dealer, how many times have you been asked about the car's service history? In my case, having traded many cars, I have never been asked about the service history. I just wonder if we attach too much importance to it. My own view for what is worth is, when buying a second hand car, it is how it drives and performs on the day.

Most people don’t worry about such thing. Too many don’t bother to service their existing car and so don’t consider service history when buying a car either.

It never ceases to surprise me how many people think that an MOT or repair constitutes a service, or that four services in 12 years is a full service history.

There are of course a small number who worry about such things. I suspect many MBClubbers are in this minority.

 

[markjay]

I have traded-in 3 cars on different occasions, plus almost sold a car to WBAC, and in all cases they insisted on checking the service book (which was a paper book). The cars all had FSH so I have no idea what would have been the implications if services - or the entire book - were missing. Also, when my Kia was written off, the insurer insisted on seeing the service book (again, it had FSH) before accepting my valuation based on Autotrader adverts for similar cars with FSH, I suspect that they would have negotiated me down if my written off car didn't have FSH, but again I can't be sure.

 

[Headhurts]

Funnily my limited experience is the opposite to the ops, on each car I have sold either to dealer or privately the service history has always been requested and a main dealer service history was preferred by dealerships.

For myself I would always want a full dealer service history when purchasing a car, main dealership being preferred as this is often a bargaining point when asking for a good will gesture from manufacturer and yes I have been a recipient of this.

A service history to me is an indication of how the car has been cared for.

There are quite a few really good specialist repairers some of whom make terrific contributions to the forums but unless you are on the forums Joe Bloggs buying a car would often not know them.

Robin

 

[Fastcar155]

Most people don’t worry about such thing. Too many don’t bother to service their existing car and so don’t consider service history when buying a car either.

It never ceases to surprise me how many people think that an MOT or repair constitutes a service, or that four services in 12 years is a full service history.

There are of course a small number who worry about such things. I suspect many MBClubbers are in this minority.

Hi Bobby Dazzler , retail garages are know to use that trick.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I traded in my 16 reg e350 the dealer saw it had only covered 27k . Didn't give a jot about service history, neither did my local Peugeot dealership. If I was buying something in the high 50's and 60's I would be asking for history.

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi , well dealers at present cannot obtain stock to sell so no doubt they buy any car regardless of history , or not as the case my be.

 

[ChrisEdu]

I always want to see the servicing and MOT history, as I feel it tells the story of the car's life thus far.

Has it been abused or well looked after? Have people skimped, meaning possible future problems, or spent money to care for it and mitigate issues?
A bit like my tyre test - cheap and cheerful, or decent?

 

[SamNotts]

I always want to see the servicing and MOT history, as I feel it tells the story of the car's life thus far.

Has it been abused or well looked after? Have people skimped, meaning possible future problems, or spent money to care for it and mitigate issues?
A bit like my tyre test - cheap and cheerful, or decent?

This! Especially for a relatively old vehicle. Being lumped with £1000s in unexpected repair costs due to hidden faults and poor maintenance over the years would really sting if buying an older vehicle to tide you by until your finances are in a better position to afford a newer car. Its not a guarantee, but I feel that a service history that gives a sense of the work that's been done on the car and its life in general may help to avoid that.