Q: What is FSH worth?

greyster · 4 May 2007 at 9:06AM

Hi.

A friend said to me that selling my car in the future with or without FSH isn't going to make much difference.

I have a 2001 (Y) Honda Civic in good condition and currently low mileage. I don't plan to sell it for quite a while but I am currently servicing it at Honda dealerships.

I bought it from the dealer with a FSH and just done my first minor service with them and got the stamp etc.

In your opinion, is it worth me continuing to have it serviced with the dealer with the belief that I can sell it for more in the future?

Or is it a false economy?

Cheers

nullogik · 4 May 2007 at 9:51AM

It depends on how long you want to keep the car.

If you intend on keeping it for (a long time) say +6 years (or until it dies) then theres little point in taking it to a dealership to be serviced. Because when you come to sell the car in say, 6 years, since its already 6 years old it will be 12 when you sell it.

When that car is 12 it'll probably be only worth £1200 or less, and FSH on a car at that price point and age will add very little to what its worth perhaps maybe £50-£200.

If you plan on selling it soon ie. (maybe three years time) then it might be worth continuing dealer servicing, if you can afford it.

However, personally I wouldn't bother as the car is already 6 years old, as having dealer FSH on such an old car isn't going to add much to its value. As long as its frequently maintained, by a independant, and you keep the receipts to show for it, it'll still be as appealing to buyers as a FSH dealer car when you come to sell it. Remember to keep all those servicing receipts!!!

greyster · 4 May 2007 at 10:40AM

I think it's going to be at least two years before I sell.

I never thought about FSH using independant receipts, that is a good idea. Thanks for your help!

saintjanet · 4 May 2007 at 1:17PM

Some cars ,especially sports and prestige types sell much easier with a full dealer service history and often command a higher price.Infact there are some cars that are very difficult to sell without one.

Most run of the mill vehicles will sell with a service history that is comprehensive but may not have been done at a main dealer, if the car is a few years old.

From another point of view, the main dealer can often find the cause of problems that a "kevin Webster" may have trouble with,although they may charge more.If your car is under warranty it is often better,though not always necessary,to let the dealer do it,they also do a bodywork inspection to keep this warranty intact.Someone on a citroen site had severe rusting problems on a car only 4 years old!!They were glad the book was stamped and had it repaired and repainted under warranty.

greyster · 4 May 2007 at 2:04PM

do cars have any warranty usually after 4 years?

saintjanet · 4 May 2007 at 2:55PM

greyster wrote: »

do cars have any warranty usually after 4 years?

I was talking about bodywork warranty,additional to your normal warranty,most manufacturers give a six year waranty,although many now offer a twelve year one but as i say the car has to be inspected every year.It covers perforation by rust but does not cover things like exhausts.

mjr600 · 4 May 2007 at 3:04PM

On a Y reg Civic you would be pouring money down the drain servicing it at a Honda dealer.

Find a good local garage, to be honest Civics rarely go wrong and an oil/filter change once a year will be enough. Just keep the bills, a nice wad of reciepts is a good sign with an older car when it comes time to sell.

zappahey · 4 May 2007 at 4:43PM

I passed this comment on to a colleague who has an older Honda and has it serviced at the local Honda dealer (Chippenham). He lobbed back some figures and it was surprisingly reasonable. I suspect it all depends if any parts need to be replaced.