Car with no history

mlawton40

Hi,
We are looking at a 13k purchase of a high spec Nissan qashqai.
2.5 years old with 15k mileage.

However, the service book just has 1 service which was done by the dealer (Arnold clark) that we are buying from dated a few days ago.

I have contacted Nissan and also the original Nissan dealer and they have no history (havent seen the car since sold)...

Would this ring alarm bells for you?

I'm in two minds as it's not old and only 15k miles.

But also potentially means it's not covered under the remainder of manufacturers warranty.

neilmcl

I'd check with Nissan what the correct service intervals are for this car. It could be that it's at 18,000 miles or 2 years, in which case it's not that far over considering it's probably been at the dealer for a few months. Also check who was the previous owner(s), it looks to me like an ex lease or rental car.

DoaM

Petrol or diesel? If petrol then maybe still think about it; if diesel then probably walk away ... 15k miles over 2+ years means DFP problems likely in the making.

foxy-stoat

If it is stinking cheap buy it, if it is priced the same as others with service history then walk. Assume Nissan warranty is invalid now as it has not been serviced as per their schedule.

If it was me I would find another one - with so many secondhand cars on the market there will be no shortage of choice. Well done for doing some research before parting with 5 figures.

MEM62

If it has no documented history you have to assume that it has never seen the inside of a workshop. The vehicle you are looking at hardly has stellar mileage on it but I would be uncomfortable with the fact that it has had no routine maintenance in 2.5 years.

TF03

neilmcl wrote: »

I'd check with Nissan what the correct service intervals are for this car. It could be that it's at 18,000 miles or 2 years, in which case it's not that far over considering it's probably been at the dealer for a few months. Also check who was the previous owner(s), it looks to me like an ex lease or rental car.

I'd go with this first.

If they have clearly missed a service, I'd assume they didn't really care about caring for their car, which leads me to think how was it driven? Was it repaired by a DIY mechanic etc.

neilmcl

TF03 wrote: »

I'd go with this first.

If they have clearly missed a service, I'd assume they didn't really care about caring for their car, which leads me to think how was it driven? Was it repaired by a DIY mechanic etc.

My guess is it was on a 2 year lease or an ex-rental in which case it would've been chopped straight into auction at the end of 2 years where the dealer got it from. The lease company is not going to bother servicing it when it's being disposed off at auction.

loskie

I would be more concerned about buying from AC and the fact they claim to have done the service.

shinytop

The chances of any damage being done to a 2 year old Nissan because it's missed an oil change are really, really low. If it were 50000 miles I'd be concerned. If it looks and drives OK and is a good price then I wouldn't worry. But that's me.

neilmcl

shinytop wrote: »

The chances of any damage being done to a 2 year old Nissan because it's missed an oil change are really, really low. If it were 50000 miles I'd be concerned. If it looks and drives OK and is a good price then I wouldn't worry. But that's me.

It's not an issue of any long term damage for missing the service, it's about Nissan quite rightly refusing to honour the warranty should anything else go wrong with the car or, as often is the case, refusing to offer any goodwill should something go wrong outside the warranty period.

Carrot007

loskie wrote: »

I would be more concerned about buying from AC and the fact they claim to have done the service.

This, always get a car you buy from AC mot'd and serviced after buying.