"Full Service History"

Matthew.M

Matthew.M

Matthew.M

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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.

:(
 
If it's got a pile of receipts and decent history, I doesn't bother me. Especially if I'm planning to keep the car
 
Minstadave said:
I'd not worry if the price was right and it wouldn't affect your warranty.
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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)
 
I would generally take FSH to mean it has the full history of it's servicing, as opposed to only partial records.

I wouldn't take it to mean 'has been serviced to the specific mileage/time constraints set by the manufacturer'.
 
Matthew.M said:
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)
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If an extended warranty was available but would not be honored by the dealer due to the gaps in the history then I'd steer clear.

However if the dealer will honor the warranty despite the gaps or, as you say, you don't want the extended warranty then it's not a problem is it? I'd use the gaps in the history to get the best possible price.
 
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Kenai said:
I would generally take FSH to mean it has the full history of it's servicing, as opposed to only partial records.

I wouldn't take it to mean 'has been serviced to the specific mileage/time constraints set by the manufacturer'.
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Good lord no, that is completely incorrect.

Full service history means the car has is fully stamped to manufacturer recommendations.

Full "manufacturers name" service history means the car is fully stamped at the correct intervals by the dealer.

Service history means the car has partial service history where it has missed 1 or more services.
 
pepsilol said:
Good lord no, that is completely incorrect.

Full service history means the car has is fully stamped to manufacturer recommendations.

Full "manufacturers name" service history means the car is fully stamped at the correct intervals by the dealer.

Service history means the car has partial service history where it has missed 1 or more services.
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Says who? You?

I've never encountered it to be used in that way, merely that it has a complete traceable history as opposed to an incomplete one. Nothing particular to all the intervals being completely correct and to the letter.
 
Full service history...

the history of its services...it doesnt specifiy that manufacturer recommendation has been maintained, just that you have clear stamped recollection of the vehicle history.

I agree with Kanai.
 
Matthew.M said:
2nd one, low mileage private owner, serviced every 12.5k miles but only had 3 in 6 years.
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I see no issue with servicing a car every 2 years if the mileage is very low.
Oil is millions of years old already, an extra year in your engine won't do any harm! Obviously if you have an oil leak or water has got into the oil then this is a different matter, but generally speaking I would not service a 6000 mile PA car every 12 months. The £200 you will spend on the service each year won't be reflected in the price when you come to sell it!
 
pepsilol said:
FSH means that it is serviced to manufacturers instructions.

So every stamp in at the correct time and interval.
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Means the same to me in principle.

However, if a service 3 years ago was late, but recent ones were done fine, I don't see a problem.
 
Kenai said:
Says who? You?

I've never encountered it to be used in that way, merely that it has a complete traceable history as opposed to an incomplete one. Nothing particular to all the intervals being completely correct and to the letter.
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Grey Area imho.

The manufacturer sets out the service schedule, it's not upto the owner to figure out 'whats best' for the car. therefor i think:

1) FSH means the car has a full service history which has followed the manufacturers service schedule, however the car hasn't been back to the main dealer to have its servicing done

2) FMSH means as the above, except all the cars services have been done at the main dealer

3) anything which doesn't follow the manufacturers service schedule means the car has a part service history.
 
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 :eek:
 
The Running Man said:
Full service history...

the history of its services...it doesnt specifiy that manufacturer recommendation has been maintained, just that you have clear stamped recollection of the vehicle history.

I agree with Kanai.
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No says everyone... it's a fact :P

FSH means it's fully stamped and done on time to manufactures recommendation.
 
Serviced to manufacturers specification.

My RX8 gets serviced every year even though I'm averaging around 3000 miles a year. Hoses, belts and so on continue to age even if the car isn't used which is why it's a milage and/or age thing.
 
'Full service history' actually means completely nothing. It's a few words used by various people to mean different things. There are cars with full dealer service history just labelled 'FSH' and cars with patchy independent history that are being peddled as 'FSH'.
 
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