Buy a car that's never been serviced. Bad idea?

richieeee

Hi

I have found a low mileage car, 3.5 years old looks great, but under the bonnet was filthy. Turns out it had never been serviced! I think the car wasn't used for months. It was a p/e and dealer has now done a minor service, though 18 months too late (schedule is 18k miles or 2 years). Oddly they haven't done air filter, as they say this if for the next major service!

My concern is that of all the services to miss, the first is probably the worst, e.g. possibility of swarf debris from manufacturing. Dealer has car on at book price and 1 year approved warranty, so looking to make an offer. I assume room to haggle, as I'd imagine when dealer did part exchange, they would have paid less as it wasn't serviced at all.

But is a 3.5 year old car that has only now been serviced, some 18 months too late, worth buying? Or should I walk away?

Rich

Nodding_Donkey

Most 'Approved Used' warranties stipulate that the car must have been serviced as per the schedule so you could be stuck with a lemon. Be careful and read the small print.

System

What's the mileage?

He is right about the air filter. The one on my car is every 37500 miles.

richieeee

Thanks for the comments.

The car is at 23k miles. Worry with the filter is if it isn't done until the next service, that could be 2 years away, with the original air filter on the car for 5.5 years because it wasn't serviced on time at the start.

Yes I had the same thought about the small print. I've read the small print on the approved warranty and it says the car must be serviced as per schedule. So I've asked and they said they do over 100 checks so they are satisfied it is an approved used car and the car will be under warranty, even though first owner didn't service it/ missed the service. I intend on getting this in writing if I do buy it.

photome

richieeee wrote: »

Thanks for the comments.

The car is at 23k miles. Worry with the filter is if it isn't done until the next service, that could be 2 years away, with the original air filter on the car for 5.5 years because it wasn't serviced on time at the start.

Yes I had the same thought about the small print. I've read the small print on the approved warranty and it says the car must be serviced as per schedule. So I've asked and they said they do over 100 checks so they are satisfied it is an approved used car and the car will be under warranty, even though first owner didn't service it/ missed the service. I intend on getting this in writing if I do buy it.

you could replace it as soon as you buy it if thats all you are worried about

arcon5

I'd be wanting a full service on the records after 3 and half years. Air, fuel, oil and pollen filter.

Nodding_Donkey

richieeee wrote: »

I've read the small print on the approved warranty and it says the car must be serviced as per schedule. So I've asked and they said they do over 100 checks so they are satisfied it is an approved used car and the car will be under warranty, even though first owner didn't service it/ missed the service. I intend on getting this in writing if I do buy it.

Get them to put in writing that they will cover any claims that the warranty refuses.

GunJack

...and get it for a knockdown price and put the savings towards a major service and under-the-bonnet steam clean

foxy-stoat

What car is it and do you know the service intervals?

AdrianC

So, on mileage, service 1 was due at 18k, and the car is on 23k now. Only 5k late.
But, on time, service 1 was due at 2yrs, and the car is now 3.5yo. 18mo late.


TBH, I wouldn't sweat that too much. But I wouldn't put any weight on the warranty at all. You say it's an approved used warranty that states the car must be serviced by schedule? Well, that's not happening, then.

jase1

At book price I would walk away. There will be others out there with the correct service history.