Service History

[adrianf.]

This is going to sound a really stupid question but here goes

 

 

If you had chance of buying a MK2 TDI, low mileage for year under 50K, private owners, immaculate condition inside and out, reasonable price (not dirt cheap) BUT the service history book is missing.

 

Its one of those cars you would jump at if the book was there

 

Would you still be tempted or not

[mk2vr6]

if it has been serviced by a main dealer you can ask for a copy of the service history

[gregers]

depends on how much your going to save?compared to one with a service book,have the vendors kept any receipts for servicing or m.o.t.s etc,when i bought mine it has some history with it,but ive also got a years warranty so do have some peace of mind,but is a service book the be all and end all?

lets face it theres so many peeps on here that do there own servicing that there all going to be in this situation when the time comes to sell there cars does that mean that (we)collectively shouldnt touch em with a barge pole?

 

 

p.s

 

haggle with them

Edited September 22, 2007 by gregers

[adrianf.]

Thats very true.

 

The price isnt bad for the condition etc.

 

The dealer says hes only just got the car in and the service book is to follow.

 

 

Hmmmm

 

 

If thats true all well and good but i dont think ill hold my breath.

 

 

I also do my own servicing so the history would stop anyway but its just the not knowing.

 

 

Looking at the condition of the car its plain to see it hasnt been abused as alot of these get a hard life.

 

May go and have a looky in the morning.

[seatkid]

I haven't bought a secondhand car since 1980 - all the secondhand cars I had in my youth were bags of shite that now, in hindsight, were clocked or just plain junk. My opinion is that generally people don't get rid of nice, reliable motors (with the possible exception of when someone dies) - they get rid because there is a problem. Sometimes a big problem, sometimes a small problem the owner thinks is big.

 

My opinion hasn't changed today, I personally wouldn't risk a second hand PD diesel in case it's had a tuning box or remap or incorrect oil used. I guess I know more than most people about Shalaxy's and would easily be able to spot the obvious dog, but why should I risk so much money and get stressed out? ;)

 

But then again, not everyone can afford to buy new. ^_^

 

A full service history is meaningless without full receipts, copies of mots etc. Even then, the big clue may be missing...e.g. recent "work"..... :19:

 

IMO A missing service history book on an otherwise "immaculate" car is especially suspicious........... :23:

 

Am I just being too distrustful? ;)

 

If you must, trace the history at a dealer......and take out a warranty........

 

And make sure its not JKSPOFF's old motor.... ;)

Edited September 22, 2007 by seatkid

[big_kev]

low mileage for year under 50K,

 

Probably clocked !

 

Check for obvious wear and tear when you visit.........bet you its dodgy !

[adrianf.]

low mileage for year under 50K,

 

Probably clocked !

 

Check for obvious wear and tear when you visit.........bet you its dodgy !

 

 

No there isnt any wear & tear in places like the steering wheel, pedal rubbers or gear knob. Also no wear on the seats or the corner of the arm rest is another favourite but its like new.

Im as sure as you can be with any second hand car that the mileage fits the condition

[mumof4]

If you are satisfied that nothing dodgy is wrong with it, then i dont see what the problem is.

If the dealer has just got the car in, the service book may follow if the previous owner couldnt find it/was spur of the moment jobbie.

As for low milaege, depends what the car was used for..i see a few grannies round here tootling around in a galaxy or sharan, why they have one i have no idea.

Just because low miles doent mean its dodgy..as you say, looks well cared for..is the engine fine?leaks?....ask the garage to throw in a warranty to be on the safe side.

 

my answer..yes i would.

 

As gregers pointed out...a lot of us did/do our own serviceing..when my gal went...it hadnt had the service book stamped since it was got in 2003.BUT..i did send all receipts for anything i had bought, i.e.MAF,oil filter etc.......

 

As mk2vr6 pointed out, if it has been serviced by a main dealer..i.e. Fords, then they should be able to tell you,also if work was carried out for any other reason.

[big_kev]

Sounds good....go for it !

 

p.s. Had enough of the Shogun then ?

[mumof4]

p.p.s just remembered that when i did my course, the tutor said that even if a previous owner hands in receipts etc..the garage/dealer may throw all the receipts away as to them it is not needed as most garages will service a vehicle before it is sold if there is no service book...you can ask the garage this....see if they will service it as part of the deal.peace of mind?

[adrianf.]

Sounds good....go for it !

 

p.s. Had enough of the Shogun then ?

 

The Shogun is a great car.

 

We bought it with the plan of changing our caravan for a big heavy twin axle but have now decided to keep the caravan we have and use the extra money to take the kids to Florida.

 

So i now have a Shogun doing little MPG and no use for it.

 

The Gal i had before was very reliable (few and far between) so i thought id look for another.

[seatkid]

..the garage/dealer may throw all the receipts away

by law, tax authorities require businesses to keep receipts/invoices for a minimum of 6 years.

Ford, VW etc would have computer records going back many years.

 

IMO Someone who keeps an immaculate car, also keeps documentation......

Look at registration doc for number of former keepers and name/address of last keeper

Contact former owner and ask for a brief summary, inc mileage and reason for change.

Surely garage would be willing to warranty at least 6 months?

[adrianf.]

Well we went to have a look to see if we could find out some more info on the car.

But on the way decided to stop off at another garage as i saw they had an Alhambra for sale.

Usuall story, too expensive but lets just have a look.

It was sort of one of those love at first sight situations.

 

2003 (03) TDI 115 SE

28,000 mls

One private owner

FSH With book

Bright red (looks like a bloody fire engine)

 

Said to SWMBO that i bet they wont give us what we want and can get for the Shogun.

Anyway after a bit of negotiation we got what we wanted.

So off for the important test drive.

I dont know if the Shogun is just noisey or what but it was so quiet. I dont even remember my Gal being that quite.

It drove like a new one, no rattles or any thing.

Turned the CC down to cold, Ah thats not very cold.

turned the engine off and back on again and the display started to flash so thats a job for them to fix first.

Also going to service it as well

Talked me into buying a 5 star AA warranty for it but knocked a 1/3 off the price so i spose ive piece of mind for three years

The price in the window on the picture is wrong, it was

Edited September 23, 2007 by adrianf

[seatkid]

Bright red (looks like a bloody fire engine)

Just get a blue flashing light and a siren and you'll get priority through traffic jams......

 

The other day had a passat with a maplin type blue light stuck on top (small, not flashing) and a siren wailing pass by me in a jam on the north circular. Looked like a Nigerean fella rushing his 2 well dressed kids to school - I kid you not..

 

Make sure you get full warranty cover for that a/c......4 years old - time for a cambelt/tensioner change?

Edited September 23, 2007 by seatkid

[adrianf.]

Is the cambelt an age related item as well as mileage then.

what mileage should they be changed ? . I seem to remember reading on here ages ago about the mileage being reduced to maybe 40 or 50 K

[mumof4]

Its very........red!..lol...looks nice hun.

[adrianf.]

Its very........red!..lol...looks nice hun.

Oh its deffo red in a big way. My kids wont get in unless they have a yellow helmet and a ladder on the roof

[mumof4]

Dont forget to install the firemans pole in lieu of a door :wacko: ...

[seatkid]

Is the cambelt an age related item as well as mileage then.

what mileage should they be changed ? . I seem to remember reading on here ages ago about the mileage being reduced to maybe 40 or 50 K

All PD engines are now apparently 40,000 miles or 4 years whichever occurs first.

[NikpV]

I was under the impression that later pd engines had a modiffied belt and pulley with an extended service interval of 60k - I cant remember if this was just the sharan though

[NikpV]

Yes I thought I remembered it some info here

[seatkid]

Thats Ford, but I believe VAG have put out a 4year edict.

 

[gregers]

lovely mota but do Alhambra's warrant a higher price then any other variations?i paid 9200 for my gal same year as the seat your going for and i assume its generally the same sort of spec as yours?

but the ally has a lot less miles then mine had when i bought it(57000)so maybe the mileage is counted in the price,have you done a price search at parkers guide?

[jkspoff]

Been looking around for myself one of these for the last few weeks, the price of that one for the condition, year and main dealer backup seems about average from what I've checked out recently. I am looking to buy one at my local Ford dealer, this is it, see if you think its ok too:

 

Ford Galaxy ghia,

1.9 tdi 115

37k miles

FSH

Silver

Excellent condition throughout

[adrianf.]

lovely mota but do Alhambra's warrant a higher price then any other variations?i paid 9200 for my gal same year as the seat your going for and i assume its generally the same sort of spec as yours?

but the ally has a lot less miles then mine had when i bought it(57000)so maybe the mileage is counted in the price,have you done a price search at parkers guide?

 

Compared to my 2002 Ghia Gal i had the Alhambra has heated seats,electric folding mirrors, luggage cover and ......................................................thats about it

 

Looking at the Auto Trader site the price seems about right. Yes there are cheaper ones but with more miles.