Purchased Car - Supposed to be serviced. What do you think?

Alias_Omega

Used car from dealer, supposed to have been serviced. Mrs AO drove it home 150 miles...

Today decided to have a quick look around the engine bay. Removed the air filter and looked at the oil filter.

Do these look like they have been fitted 150 miles ago?

Air Filter



Oil Filter - Ive wiped my finger across it.



We purchased the car with 48k, its had a Minor Service at 46k by the previous owner therefore not a great loss, but a deal is a deal.

The "service" was part of the deal (Service, MOT, Cambelt, Water Pump & Aux Belt), however we were also told (via phone) that Air Filter, Oil Filter, Oil, Fuel Filter had all been replaced.

Not a good feeling from the dealer so far, the aux belt was missed therefore we received a partial contribution towards the cost of having the belt replaced ourselves.

Cheers,

AO

Billy_Bullocks

I bet the timing belt, tensioners and water pump ain't been done either.

footyguy

The air filter obviously has not beeen changed recently ... but depending on the service, a change of air filter may not have been on the schedule. I would suggest it wasn't changed at 46k either (again, not a surprise depending on make & model, since that was a minor service)

You can't really tell with the oil filter. Those dried water splashes may have come from the 150 mile drive home, or possibly the car was subject to a pressure wash after the service was carried out. You'd be better off looking at the oil (on the dipstick).

I know you say you were promised various service items verbally by car sales person, but you know how to tell when a car salesperson is lying, don't you?
(you can see their lips move ... unless they are talking to you on the phone)

If it was that important to you, I would have said you should have insisted on the invoice from whoever did the work. Afterall, it makes up part of the service history.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Looking at the air filter now you've got it out, why did you nit replace it!

Alias_Omega

Thanks all,

Ive emailed the dealer to see what there response it. The car is probably on 200 miles already. The basic service (i.e. Interim) comes with just a Oil & Oil Filter. That's the basic there is. The oil isn't new looking, therefore i would assume its not been performed at 48k, however probably at 46k back in Aug 16.

There are a few things we now need to come out of this -

a) The dealer says it was serviced, provides proof via car garage receipt etc. We update the Service Book to say "Timing Belt, Water Pump" and "Service (Oil Filter, Air Filter etc).

b) Dealer says its missed. Refunds £XYZ amount for a service to be performed locally.

There is an Option C

c) We chase credit card company under Section 75. £500 deposit was paid via credit card.

I am a big believer in Integrity. If it hasn't been done, they need to say so and say "Sorry". Were pretty close to getting in touch with the previous owner to check the mileage (2000 miles in 6 months), or even sent it for a MOT with VOSA.

But...were happy with the car.....

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »

Looking at the air filter now you've got it out, why did you nit replace it!

2 mins to get it out, 2 clips to remove cover and it pulls out. £8.04 for a Bosch one from Eurocarparts (with discount). I've paid for it to be done, it should have been done.

Btw...I have a diesel Ford with 210,000+ miles. I service / repair that myself...even find myself at scrap yards too.. :rotfl:

Alias_Omega

Billy_Bullocks wrote: »

I bet the timing belt, tensioners and water pump ain't been done either.

I did think that, however i pulled the cover back a little and it does look new. The coolant looks fresh too. The service book stand and writing indicates that was done.

Weirdly they refitted the old aux belt. After some discussion, they gave me £50 off the agreed price to have it done locally, the belt is £13 and probably 1hr labour.

System

What car? On my Mondeo the aux belts are 125,000 intervals so there's nothing lost not changing them, same for the cambelt.

Also oil can go black fairly quickly post service especially on a diesel.

Doesn't make it right but its not automatically the end of the world.

fred246

If you know how to service a car yourself just do it. Expecting garages to be honest is crazy. Service stamps mean NOTHING. You have saved a lot of money hopefully buying a second hand car. You can only hope that it has been serviced previously. Just change the oil and filters yourself. It's not going to cost more than £40 and it's the only way you can be sure that it's been done. You've got to be sure that timing belt has been done.
My dad knew how to service a car but he wanted stamps in his book. It was awful watching it. Just misery. If you know how to look after a car just do it. Hoping that garages do what they are supposed to is a nightmare. If you have the air filter changed by a garage the first thing you do is take the cover off to check they've done it. Then you'll be furious when they haven't bothered. If they change the oil you won't know what they've put in. They'll probably overfill it. If you service a car with over 200k on it you must know what you are doing. The only person whose interested in the long term running of your car is YOU.

molerat

footyguy wrote: »

but you know how to tell when a car salesperson is lying, don't you?
(you can see their lips move ... unless they are talking to you on the phone)

or out of their !!!!

Alias_Omega

Thanks all, invoice received from dealer. No service mentioned, just "carry out oil and filter PDI".

PDI is a Pre-Delivery Inspection. Just that, a check of the oil and filter. But which filter, air, oil, pollen?

I've asked dealer to comment, damages are now limited to the cost of a basic service.