What price do you put on service history?

[CraigH]

Looking at 2 identical D2a's both V8's. They are pretty much the same price.

Vehicle "a" 2004 model has just had the heads done, but doesn't have a log book and can only produce receipts for the last 18 months. Its has 98,000km on it and the overall condition is excellent in and out. He is the third owner.

Vehicle "b" 2003 model is one owner has only 81,000km and has a full service history from new, a log book with a parade of dealer stamps including receipts, all at the same LR dealer. The down side it the body has lots of car park battle scars, needs new wheel arch trims and a tail light but the interior is good. You could probably spend $1500+ at a panel beater to bring it up to the condition of vehicle "a".

Is the benefit of a perfect service history and less km's worth the cost of repairing the exterior.....

Which vehicle would you go for?

Your opinions are appreciated.

Craig

[Ian1878]

For me a car service history would be of great importance when purchasing a used vehicle.

However. . . .

Any history could be as magnificant as could be or flawed by being stamped by Bob The Builder (i dont have anything against builders)

Can the history be authenticated?

Is the servicing garage or mechanic of sound skill and reputation, who uses quality parts and oil etc.

A tough call for you to make but if I could authenticate a cars history, I would take a few knocks as part of the deal knowing it had been looked after where it mattered most.

Mutton dressed as lamb ?????

Good luck.

Ian

[WingsOfToa]

Ive got a Freelander 1 petrol, (yeah I know petrol). Immaculate, one owner, 90,000ks, full service history,log books, stamped from LR Dealer, had no complaints, never let me down, and havent spent a cent cept service parts, and fuel, is a great car..

I have a Disco2 TD5, 275,000 on clock. Zero service history, no log books, no LR books (had to download them), immaculate car throughout. Only problem was a stuffed fuel pump 3 days after I bought it (but you cant tell when a pump will go, or can you?).

If you know anything about cars, my opinion is, they dont need a service history for me to buy one. It would be handy to know when the gearbox was replaced etc. I always go with my 1st gut instinct, and it is never usually wrong..

Cheers,
Mik

[CraigH]

Yep the service history is genuine. She backed it all with receipts from the dealer...

[Eevo]

even with servicing there is no guarantee things won't break.

there are many items they arnt serviceable, ie, fuel pump. there is no maintenance on it and it fails when it wants to fail.

[schuy1]

In addition to service records I look at the car. Is it in a condition that indicates it has been cared for? Is the engine bay clean , Is the underside clean? a dirty motor and surrounds indicates that maybe it hasnt had a lot of attention, Who can work and see whats wrong in a dirt and oil covered mess?And that dealer stamped service record may be just that, A stamped dealer book! Is the interior cleanand tidy, does the general look of the vehicle reflecte an owner that cares? If so those stamps probably mean stuff has been done properly. and so on.
Cheers Scott

[CraigH]

I have to say I agree with everybody's comments. I'm thinking that when a vehicle is around 10 yr old, the overall condition of the vehicle is what counts. If its been cared and loved for on the exterior/interior then hopefully that extends to the mechanical side of servicing.

I'm going to check out this tomorrow (with no log books). He sounds genuine and has been up front with any issues it has and is more than happy to take it to a LR specialist for a pre purchase inspection.

Cheers
Craig

[Ian1878]

Well if he's willing to have a LR specialist have a look over it prior to purchase he must be confident that he's not selling you short of how he views the vehicle.

Good luck, I hope you get what you want.

Ian

[CraigH]

Yep that's what I thought too. Fingers crossed.......

[CaptAwsm]

Mmm... I'd look at this in the long run. So the one without service history has had the heads done. So that won't need to be done (hopefully) and the trims in better nick. Alternately, full service history car has nicks and scrapes and could need work in the long run (I don't know what's included in its service history).

[CraigH]

From what I saw, the full service history car was mostly routine stuff. No heads off or major stuff.
The owner of the no service history car has sent me copies of what he had. Turns out he has produced me receipts for the last 31,000km so it's not so bad. I'm looking at this one today.

I've been casually looking for the past 10 months and are happy to wait for the right car, so fingers crossed...
Craig

[newlandyowner]

Service history is important but in saying that I stopped taking my old Commodore to one of Perths main Holden dealers as their servicing was very average.

The final straw was them leaving both castle nuts on the power steering rack only wound on by 3 threads!!

It's a good sign if he's letting you take it to a LR specialist.

[MikaM]

There is so many way's to do service.. least in here ;)

I would trust only my self or some experienced friend! History is just stamps in paper.. google the service place/places and see if there is any problems whit other customers, etc.

and like all the other says.. how has it been kept? It have tried this when I bought my D2 and still it's an old car so there is always surprise behind the corner and the Murphy's law :D

Good luck :)

[Robgw]

I'd prefer a Service history, as this tells the cars story. These V8's sludge up so do need an oil change every 6 months. D2's are high maintainence ( as we know) so its crutial to know what's been done and when all the other fluids have been done, repairs etc.

If the one with 81k's has been maintained and serviced fully, albeit cosmetically the body is messy, i'd live with that option IMHO

If the heads have just been done on the other then it overheated! Did the radiator get serviced/replaced?, new thermostat , viscous fan, hoses? was the block checked for cracks?. If the heads just got done then perhaps lack on care let it fail?. After all heads don't just go for no reason. Like slipped liners. Both these issues are not failing's in the V8 they are the fail's caused by other problems.

If it helps , no history is a gamble.....My friend took the same gamble with a 2006 D3 which had little to no history. We even called the LR dealer which stamped the book at one point who had not seen the car back there since 2009 while. LR checked it over and said all OK. 20,000k's later the Auto Failed as it had most likely not been serviced , 7 grand out of pocket. Hind site maybe should have had the Auto Service the day he bought it...