Importance of Service History

[CountBrass]

I've seen, and I'm sure the rest of you have had the same experience, many used Porsches with poor service histories: big gaps, completely missing, suspicious replacement service histories etc. I run a mile when I see cars like that: not even worth a look.

However assuming that condition was otherwise good do you think missing a couple of stamps, say 6 are present where you would expect 8, because the service interval has been pushed a bit (say services at 14 months rather than 12), would that be a big problem? Would you give a different answer if it was a turbo rather than a n/a?

Edward

 

[Dylan1]

there are plenty of cars out there with complete histories so why risk it??

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: CountBrass

...say 6 are present where you would expect 8, because the service interval has been pushed a bit (say services at 14 months rather than 12), would that be a big problem?

I'd expect the same number of services overall. 14 months one year, 10 the next maybe...

 

[CountBrass]

ORIGINAL: dyllan
there are plenty of cars out there with complete histories so why risk it??

Yes, and the person you sell to will ask himself the same question.

I kind of knew the answer but am not an expert so wasn't sure whether there was some get-out: people tend to bang on about buying on condition etc.

 

[dij999]

Depends on a lot of things surely? Price, warranty, miles it's covered, who serviced it.
I bought the kind of car you describe, missing service though had low miles - was an excellent deal. Have had it 4 /12 years now and have been very pleased.

Dave Jones

 

[dij999]

Was suposed to be 4 1/2 years!!

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

If it was me, I think I would consider what type of services it had and at what mileages. For instance, if it had a Minor Service, rather than an Annual Inspection after 14 months and (say) 3000 miles, it would reflect better than just the Annual. It would show that the owner was prepared to do more than the bare minimum. Also, for example, I change my oil every 5-6000 miles, but the book doesn't get stamped. Are there receipts for intermediate work? How long are you planning to keep the car? Maybe if the current service history isn't too bad, and you plan on keeping it a long time, you can 'correct' the history with some over-servicing. I wouldn't rule it out, but some may, and if you buy it cheap you may have to sell it cheap.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

Everything has a price .
The older the car the less relevant imperfections in service history will be and greater weight should be given to current condition.
I wouldn't rule the car out as long as the discount made it worthwhile and it needs to be professionally inspected.

 

[Diesel130]

Also, do your homework and check actual receipts (or contact the OPC to find history)... mine appeared to have stamp missed, but on closer inspection there was an OPC receipt for the service with a note at the bottom saying the service book wasn't left in the car.

Also the book had a stamp with the 'annual' box ticked, but it was actually a major at an indi + brake discs and pads!