"Full Service History"

[Matthew.M]

What does this actually mean to everyone? I'm currently shopping for a new car, desired model is the mk3 MX5, about 06/07 plate, Sport 2.0.

I've looked at 3 of varying mileages and specification. All 3 has had problems with the service history despite me asking the owners in advance if it had been serviced to the manufacturers interval of 12.5k miles / 12 months.

1st one, Mazda dealer to get a test drive before to make sure I really liked the car - 3 years old, serviced every year on the dot except it had done 16k miles between services.

2nd one, low mileage private owner, serviced every 12.5k miles but only had 3 in 6 years.

3rd one, such a promising car which I saw this morning, absolutely immaculate and the perfect spec exactly what I want. Serviced every year on the dot except between the 2nd and 3rd it had covered 17k miles. The car currently sits at 50k on a 2006 plate.

Am I being too fussy? Would you buy a MX5 with history like that? I felt gutted walking away as everything else was exactly what I was looking for and for a very good price.

 

[Matthew.M]

I'd not worry if the price was right and it wouldn't affect your warranty.

But it would affect the warranty, I was under the impression they had a tolerance of 10%. These have done between 25-37% more than the manufacturers interval.

(Not that I would ever bother with a warranty on a car like this)

 

[Matthew.M]

So regardless of whether I've interpreted FSH correctly, would you take the gamble on the 3rd example? Apart from this it's perfect. I've been debating it with myself all day and can't reach a conclusion! The engines don't seem to have any reliability problems in general...

Hmmm, on the other hand this may niggle at me so maybe I should pass.

/rinse and repeat the above. I feel like I'm going to implode in an infinite loop