Car with no service history

Reca5050

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a new car. Have come across a 2003 MINI One for £3,000. Has low mileage (circa 40k) but seller has had it a year and there is no service history with it. Before the seller, there was one other owner.

I've had a look through the MOT history which seems to be ok (couple of issues with tyres and headlights, but all seems to be sorted (according to latest mot)).

Should alarm bells be ringing? Or would you go for it at £3k? It's a private seller too.

Thanks!

Horizon81

It's your choice. May never have had an oil change in 10 years. Have you actually asked the seller if he has had it serviced? Does he have any receipts to prove, even though the service book hasn't been stamped.

If he blatantly says he's never serviced it then I'd look elsewhere.

fivetide

A lot of new ones get the TLC pack which actually gives fairly cheap servicing when new.

Is there a dealer name on the numberplate? Is it local? If so, it might be worth seeing if they have records of the car coming in.

Otherwsie, it is ten years old. Overall condition will play a big part at this time. Why are they selling it? any advisories on the MOT?

Remember there are loads out there so if it doesn't feel right, walk away.

colino

Such a carefully driven, round-the-houser with only 4k a year on the clock, but they've "lost" it's history? Forget it, there are plenty more out there to get with genuine back-up.

forgotmyname

Bargepoles and not touching, Fires, Burning and fingers spring to mind.

What makes it worth £1000 more than other 2003 reg mini's in the autotrader?

As long as your willing to spend at least another £3000 on repairs because it has not been serviced then you could take a risk.

bigbulldog

Do an mot history check and that will give you what true mileage it's done.

You do need to get the log books ref number etc

OddballJamie

bigbulldog wrote: »

Do an mot history check and that will give you what true mileage it's done.

You do need to get the log books ref number etc

It will only tell you the what the clock was saying on the MOT day each year.

Op there's no shortage of used well looked after Minis, find one with a history to be safer.

jackthenipper

Perhaps they didn't get it serviced by a dealer/franchise but someone they knew, or they had done an oil & filter change themselfs & are obviously are unable to stamp the book.

Just pose the question to the owner.

Hth

OddballJamie

jackthenipper wrote: »

Perhaps they didn't get it serviced by a dealer/franchise but someone they knew, or they had done an oil & filter change themselfs & are obviously are unable to stamp the book.

Just pose the question to the owner.

Hth

Then it would have been common sense to write it in the service book on every DIY service and keep the receipts for the oil and filters. Therefore creating a history.

lazer

I bought a 1997 car in 2004 without a service history, I got the oil changed in it straight after I bought it.
The car is now 16 years old and still never had a service - (I give the car to my mum 6 years ago) - my cousin gives it a quick check and makes any repairs necessary including replacing the timing belt.

Servicing is a con by the industry to make you spend £100 "checking" a car every year, especially as most of the time they do nothing other than check or occassionally change the oil and clean to spark plugs.

My own car I do service - not a regulary as the car suggests, but do still service it and get the book marked, basically whenever it is up for the MOT - and never pay more than around £80 for service and MOT check.

Reca5050

Thanks for the responses. Reason I was looking at this MINI was because of the low mileage, as well as the fact it's had only 1 previous owner. I am now thinking it's better to get one with a stack of receipts and higher mileage...

I've been looking at MINI Ones for ages, and the lowest price does seem to be around £2.5k, so I'd be grateful to whoever can point me to this abundance of £2k MINI Ones on Autotrader!

I also see alot of "traders" on Autotrader who only post mobile numbers and don't fully disclose their location- from the stories I've heard (of people being sold a lemon in a layby) I'm keen to steer clear of these individuals.