When is a FSH actually a FSH

[vinceg]

Have just commenced my 993 quest in earnest... One immediate aspect that has concerns me, on the first few cars I have viewed, is what actually constitutes a full FSH. Seems many cars/owners apply a more liberal interpretation to this that I would myslef i.e. my understanding of FSH being annual or 12k services - whichever comes first each period. This with bigger services @ 24 & 48 marks. I know many other factors influence buying decision but as a 911 newbie one core principle I was working to was full priced car MUST have well documented and full history. This is further compounded by difficulty in actually determining what was done to gain the stamp as seems most do not add this info - I guess u pick phone up on this one? Anyway re below - my latest view. Car claimed FSH - I would say not but am I being too literal here?

Time from Miles since
last service last service

New NA
7 1,700
21 5,400
10 13,700
11 8,000
15 3,000
18 15,200

 

[vinceg]

Car is/was a 97 2S 55k miles with 7 prior owners which I know is not ideal but not necessarily bad. I guess this would be a key contributor to the mixed service history.
vg

 

[38F3E1]

ORIGINAL: vinceg


... my understanding of FSH being annual or 12k services - whichever comes first each period ...

... I was working to was full priced car MUST have well documented and full history...

... this is further compounded by difficulty in actually determining what was done to gain the stamp as seems most do not add this info - I guess u pick phone up on this one? ...

FSH to some people means the book has been stamped at reasonable periods with no receipts. These cars are eight or more years old now and getting a bundle of receipts back to day one is not the norm IMHO. And you can't just pick up the phone - the OPCs particularly will not disclose what was done by previous owners. Realistically times between services will vary particularly when cars change owners.

If you can find a car with service history stamped every year with a full set of receipts at a reasonable price you will probably be standing at the back of a very long queue.

As long as the car looks to have been maintained every 12 - 24 months its a PPI that will tell you the true condition of the car.

Ian.

 

[Porker993]

Also it's dead easy to forge those little OPC rubber stamps. I seem to remember someone posting a link to an eb*y auction selling them recently.

 

[Shane Hodges]

Vince, if you are really concerned, contact the DVLC for the history of previous owners and plate changes (costs a fiver if I remember rightly.)

When you contact them you will find some have gone away / moved house, but you can have some very interesting chats with previous owners.

The thing you want to hear (as I did from owner number 4 of my car) was that he wished he hadn't sold it for the Maserati he then bought, and still thinks it drove better than the 996 he now owned.