Car Purchase: four owners in five years, but only two service stations?

tain

Looking to buy a second hand car. Seen a 2014 68k miles one that we like, but it's had 4 owners. I'd usually stay away, but when I checked the service history, 4 of the last 5 services were at the same main dealer that the first service was.

Just seemed strange that if the car was changing hands regularly, you'd usually take it to the most local service station. And considering its from a London suburb, that seems highly unlikely that all owners are from the same locality, unless I'm missing something.

The dealer told me the car was first sold pre-reg, and the last owner had it for 8 months before wanting something smaller. He said he can't tell me anything else because of data protection.

Just steer clear? (excuse the pun). Or is there a very reasonable explanation for this which means it might be a good deal?

The car was very good quality for 70k miles, and nothing on the MOTs or service history that seemed unusual. It's probably going to be our car for the next 5+ years, so resale isn't much of a consideration.

The car is well priced, but not exceptional. But similar priced cars arent anywhere near as well looked after, or have a lot of miles or are older.

Any help appreciated.

Arklight

What is it you're actually worried about?

Eatmybogbrush

Many owners mean only two things....it's been owned a few times or they are covering something up, damage or mileage alteration, it is important to check for wear on things like steering wheel, carpets, pedals, door seals and seats, on a 68,000 mile cars if well looked after they should show hardly any wear, unless the car is very old so would have to take age into consideration, always make sure panels line up and if possible look inside the rear quarters and frontal areas for damage repair, under the floor pan should be straight and all look the same both sides, if you know nothing or very little about cars get it inspected by the AA, may save you a fortune and hassle.

tain

No reason to think the mileage has been changed. The condition is very good, no signs at all of any repair work, and I did check alignments and paint colours.

I just can't see where the four owners have come in from the service history. Four stamps from the same dealership that sold the car, then one other from a random garage before the current dealer serviced it.

Just worried its had a few owners within a year or two because its got unseen issues. So fine for the first 50k miles, then changed hands 3 times quickly as the car is wonky.

karatepet

If it all looks correct and all paperwork backs the car up.i wouldnt worry.
I bought my car 3 years ago with 4 owners(3 year old when i bought it)It had been moved around their garages,so had a new owner every move.

tain

Am I wrong to assume that four owners usually means 3-4 different service stations?

Scrapit

tain wrote: »

Am I wrong to assume that four owners usually means 3-4 different service stations?

Yeah.
It might be, or it might not be. Think you are reading into it too much.
I bought a car with 4 owners that had always been sold by the same dealer, the dealer I bought it from. People stick to what they know.

F1F93

tain wrote: »

Am I wrong to assume that four owners usually means 3-4 different service stations?

Not at all. Given we know that it was a pre reg, that just leaves two owners servicing it at the same place, before the last owner went elsewhere.

Consider:

Owner 1: the dealer. You've already said it's a pre reg.
Owner 2: Elderly person, nearing the end of their driving life. Always takes it back to the same dealer for servicing. Decides they have had enough of driving so gives car to...
Owner 3: family member of the above. Gets car serviced at same place as above. Finally sells on to...
Owner 4: unrelated and gets car serviced elsewhere.

tain

Cheers. Makes sense. The mileage does seem to indicate they're driving it a solid 15k miles a year, which I'd hope meant it was free from any significant problems.

angrycrow

One of my cars has 3 previous keepers. Keeper 1 bought it new then part ex it with same dealer. Keeper 2 did the same. When keeper 3 sold it back to the dealer it was too old for their sales profile as a franchised main dealer so they passed it onto a partner garage. When I saw the same dealer for all the sales I phoned them to confirm the history, they could tell me the full history of the car which matched the service history in the glove box.