Just bought a car - no service book

Xire

Xire

Xire

Soldato
Joined
8 Apr 2011
Posts
2,932
Location
London
Hi guys,

I just put a deposit down on a car (£250) and I was told that they had a full dealership service history book and that if they didn't they would refund my deposit. Now I have been told today they don't have a full history, only 3 stamps over the last 6 years. They said they will service it today but I feel like I could potentially be losing out on a lot of resale value.

Its a Honda civic 1.8 42k miles (2007) £5400

Do I pull out? I have a feeling they will be arsey about my deposit.
 
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If it's from a Honda dealer they should be able to get details of it's service history if it has had dealer services. If not you could ask a local Honda dealer to check for you and get details.

Stamps in a book can be reproduced, recorded history from Honda is a bit more tricky to 'fiddle'.

Andi.
 
mjt said:
Walk away with your deposit in hand.

Also, the car is only 6 years old, so 8 years...?
Click to expand...

Sorry yes, 6 years.

andicole0 said:
If it's from a Honda dealer they should be able to get details of it's service history if it has had dealer services. If not you could ask a local Honda dealer to check for you and get details.

Stamps in a book can be reproduced, recorded history from Honda is a bit more tricky to 'fiddle'.

Andi.
Click to expand...

Its not a honda dealer, it just a used car dealership.
 
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As above, Honda are usually pretty helpful with things like history. Either insist they do that and give you proof or get enough details to call them yourself. If they're remotely hesitant just walk away and buy another one, plenty around to chose from.
 
Unfortunately typical of many used car dealerships, say anything to get the sale/deposit. Sounds like it's had the first 3 year in warranty services done with the dealers then either nothing/backstreet or DIY servicing. Plus being a cynic having them say they will service it means the will throw some cheap oil in it and give it a wipe with an oily rag, then stick their stamp in the book.

Bottom line is they lied, if they lied about the history what other porkies come with the car?

The tester will be asking for you deposit back. If they're straight they will just hand it back without issue. If they're your typical Arthur Daley, they will get arsey over the deposit.

That said I've bought cars with little or no service history in the past, but that has been reflected in the selling price.
 
Resale value depends how long you intend to keep the car. At 5400, once you take the dealers profit out, it's not going to be worth as much. Then even less in a few years. Is it enough to be concerned over?
 
MooMoo444 said:
Resale value depends how long you intend to keep the car. At 5400, once you take the dealers profit out, it's not going to be worth as much. Then even less in a few years. Is it enough to be concerned over?
Click to expand...

This maybe true, I just worry with the lack of service history what else could be wrong.
 
Just threaten them with Sales of Goods Act and Trading Standards*. Oh and cancel the deal and get your deposit back.

*Ask them to refund you and cancel the deal first as they reneged on their part of the deal. If they don't play ball, throw the book at them (the legal book, not the service book, as it doesn't exist...).
 
If you're concerned and they can't come up with the documents, just walk, there's plenty more Civic's out there
 
If you insist on keeping ask for a 10% discount.
Not so important if you plan on keepin the car for 5+ years and check the mot.
 
So the dealer contacted me and said he would knock £275 off, give me a full service, and give me a full tank of petrol.

Now im not sure how bothered I am about this, the car seems to be in fully working order, MOT history etc. I'm probably going to run this car down and im not really looking at the resale value. I imagine when I do come to sell it, it will be worth around £500/£700 less.

Im thinking I buy it and try and bring him down further.
 
Do you have any kind of warranty with the deal?

As in, if the issues happen down the road you're concerned about, are you able to go back to this garage, collar them, and say 'oi'?
 
Just walk away.
If a car has no history you have to ask yourself why. There are usually a few possible reasons.

1: The book was lost - Call Honda and ask them to supply the record of the servicing.
2: It's not been serviced properly for years - Walk away
3: It's been clocked - Walk away

You are spending a lot of your money on a car. It's not like Honda Civics are rare as hen's teeth.
Just find another one with a full history and buy that one instead.

If you're anything like me, you'll always be questioning things about the car for years to come if you buy it. Walk away and find a better example.
 
You need to find out exactly what services have been done, at what dates and mileages.

Don't forget, it may need/be overdue for a major service, requiring something like the cambelt (if it has one), spark plugs, air filter, brake fluid etc
 
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