Buying a used car with gaps in service history?

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  Euphemistic on 03/08/2018 - 10:17

  +7

  Mazda 3 isn't rare. Find another.

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  EightImmortals on 03/08/2018 - 10:18

  +1

  "maybe" make sure you get it checked out at your mechanic and see what he says. With those low KM's as long as he's at least kept up the oil and filters you should be OK. If they had skipped on timing best replacements then you would factor that into your negotiations. But it should be due until at least 100K (if at all depending on the car).

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  mysterytal on 03/08/2018 - 10:22

  +1

  Just get your own mechanic to check it out.

  It's not essential to have a service every 10k.

  I serviced my own car every other 15k and had someone else do it every 30k.

  In the case of the Mazda 3 looking at the service schedule I can easily do the ones that are scheduled to cost $325 and I'll get someone else to do the ones that would cost $375 at a Mazda dealer.

  I wouldn't run for the hills it could be worth it.

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  John on 03/08/2018 - 10:50

  +1

  Yes the car itself may be fine. But as others said, bring a mechanic to have a look at it. Also look at the last service history see what's the report (normally shows up on the mechanic invoice), it would usually tell you if there's a problem.

  Also, best to view the car during daylight so you can check the cosmetic condition of the car - if its dirty, damaged, poorly modified, messy inside etc - though its nothing to do with the engine its still a tell sign that the person probably didn't look after it well. I would run for the hill on this one no matter how maintained the service history is.

  And bear in mind that one day when you try to sell it again, you might encounter the same problem. So just make sure if you do buy it, look after the car and start keeping the service history so you can re-sell it easier later down the track.

  A 6 year old car should still be in a good nic if looked after well. I bought a 2013 Honda Civic Hatch recently that almost look & feel brand new. Was very glad I took my time during my search. Make sure you take yours.

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  HighAndDry on 03/08/2018 - 10:50

  +4

  The seller has said over the phone that between 30k's and 80k's a "mate" had been servicing it (I guess 3 years warranty therefore, 30k's). So it is missing it's 40k, 50k, 60k and 70k service.

  Christ. Yeah - no, that's basically the guy as much as admitting it hasn't been serviced for 50k kms, because even if it was a 'mate', if that mate was an actual mechanic they could jot down what was done anyway.

  It's not just the lack of services either - it's also the fact the owner is someone who'd let his car go for 50k kms without a proper service and what says about the likely treatment the car's got.

  I'd find another one unless the price is amazing.

  • 

    OzBestDeal on 03/08/2018 - 11:02

    Totally agree with this.
    Lucky the guy is upfront about this and not just getting fake stamps on logbook

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  yoonibear on 03/08/2018 - 11:22

  +1

  Have a mechanic check it and take it for a drive.
  My uncle had a Mazda 3 that was never serviced from new (he did all the service himself; retired mechanic) - and he sold it without any problems

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  zuuutoootuuu on 03/08/2018 - 11:31

  It's not hard for someone that knows what they are looking at to see if the car had been serviced, chances are it got better quality oil by the home mechanic unlike some dealerships that have been using lower quality oils to maximise profits.

  • 

    HighAndDry on 03/08/2018 - 14:24

    Someone who knows and cares about their car enough to service it themselves, or for a mate, would also keep records of what was done at what time - because you need those records in the future. It doesn't sound like the seller has even those.

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  Oz8argain on 03/08/2018 - 13:50

  +1

  I do service myself and I always keep the receipts as well as a service record similar to a mechanic's. If seller can't produce something like this, then avoid.

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  CMH on 03/08/2018 - 23:17

  If you actually do service your own car (and not a mechanic), do attach the receipts for your engine oil and oil filter on your service book.

  It won't be as good as a mechanic servicing it, but at least it shows you at least changed the oil and filter, and whatever you bought.

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  KingJuf on 03/08/2018 - 23:28

  Pay for a mechanic to check it out, it probably set you back $100-200 but could save you a fortune. Preferably one that you know or a family friend may be close with. Just driving it often wont reveal faults that are coming or things that need replacing.

  I found that even servicing at a dealer they forget to stamp the book quite often and also you normally need to specify log book serviced at just a normal mechanic workshop.

  Compare it with another model with similar ks and full log books.

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  ifcw on 04/08/2018 - 12:27

  +1

  So I went to have a look, whilst the engine bay and all looked clean and good..it just didn't feel quite right. The brakes felt really soft and it was definitely on the very heavy side of wear and tear (touched up scatch marks here and there, scratched up plastics). So, definitely a no for me!