Fabia without service history: not buy?

[Porsenna]

Today I saw a nice 2001 Fabia 1.4 Comfort, with a 51 registration. The car was in very good condition, and the seller, a private one, wanted £2600, and it was negotiable. I was satisfied with the car and was going to make an offer, but the lady selling it told me that, while she thought she had the complete service history, she doesn't.

That is usually a suspicious thing, but we're not talking about a dodgy guy in a hurry to sell, but a retired couple that I met in their own house, and a posh one it was; they didn't feel like cheaters. But I understand, you never know!

She said they bought the car from a nearby Skoda dealer (Silbury Skoda in Cramlington for the curious North Eastern reader). It is strange that a Skoda authorized dealer sells a car without the service history, isn't it?

Or is it? Is selling cars with no service history a normal occurrence in Skoda dealers? What is your advice? Would you buy this car, and if so, for what price?

My plan for the moment is to call Silbury Skoda and ask them directly. It may be that the people I saw today just lost the paperwork, and maybe it is in a box in the attic. But if they don't have it, and the dealer can't help me, I'll have to drop the case. Pity, I think this was a good occasion.

[SteVRs]

Skoda will be able to verify the history no probs - give them a call.

[robmawer]

Originally Posted by Porsenna

It is strange that a Skoda authorized dealer sells a car without the service history, isn't it?

Or is it? Is selling cars with no service history a normal occurrence in Skoda dealers? What is your advice? Would you buy this car, and if so, for what price?

It's a normal occurrence at any dealers - if a car hasn't got a full service history they're still going to sell it!
It would be worth contacting the dealer anyway, as most service departments record the details of cars they're working on - if the car's been serviced at the dealers then they should have invoices for the work.

If a car doesn't have FSH it's not the end of the world, and it doesn't mean the car hasn't been serviced - so if the overall condition of the car is spot on, then you just have a really good reason for negotiating the price down hard.


Rob.

[Porsenna]

Originally Posted by robmawer

If a car doesn't have FSH it's not the end of the world, and it doesn't mean the car hasn't been serviced - so if the overall condition of the car is spot on, then you just have a really good reason for negotiating the price down hard.

Sure, but doesn't it mean I will lose a lot of value when (if!) I decide to sell it in the future?

[Schern]

A lot of value from £2600? If you buy it without service history, then isn't the person selling the car now doing the same? As long as you get it for a fair price then it should be fine. The older the car gets, the less its worth (unless its rare) and the less people care about service history. I wouldn't worry too much.

[alankearn]

Originally Posted by Porsenna

Today I saw a nice 2001 Fabia 1.4 Comfort, with a 51 registration. The car was in very good condition, and the seller, a private one, wanted £2600, and it was negotiable. I was satisfied with the car and was going to make an offer, but the lady selling it told me that, while she thought she had the complete service history, she doesn't.

That is usually a suspicious thing, but we're not talking about a dodgy guy in a hurry to sell, but a retired couple that I met in their own house, and a posh one it was; they didn't feel like cheaters. But I understand, you never know!

She said they bought the car from a nearby Skoda dealer (Silbury Skoda in Cramlington for the curious North Eastern reader). It is strange that a Skoda authorized dealer sells a car without the service history, isn't it?

Or is it? Is selling cars with no service history a normal occurrence in Skoda dealers? What is your advice? Would you buy this car, and if so, for what price?

My plan for the moment is to call Silbury Skoda and ask them directly. It may be that the people I saw today just lost the paperwork, and maybe it is in a box in the attic. But if they don't have it, and the dealer can't help me, I'll have to drop the case. Pity, I think this was a good occasion.

I think you have to ask yourself how many small cars 6 years old have an up to date validated service history, very few I suspect.