High previous owners?

[CRAIGO]

I’ve found a car and considering to buy but it’s quite far away and has 7 previous owners. At first this put me off but then thinking it’s a 2003, soft top and most probably a second summer car for most might be why these particular cars change hands so much?

It’s the spec I want at the right price so should be being the 8th owner put me off?

Service and MOT history both look great.

Thanks

 

[Marlon]

No. You've said it all really - 15yrs, second car, soft top for summer etc. plus new owners often inject a lot of TLC

 

[ErrErrminator]

My car has had a similar number of owners and hadn’t suffered at all for it. I wouldn't worry about it and just do the usual checks on condition, service history, etc.

 

[buzyg]

Typically Zeds have multiple owners. Might be worth a pole to ask folk, how many owners there Zed has had.

 

[road warrior]

mine had 10 previous owners

 

[JamieZ4C]

I've seen the argument for new owners spending money on their new 'pride and joy' before, and for something like the Z4 I think it's likely to be true. I think as long as the car is in good all round condition and there is evidence it's been looked after then I wouldn't worry how many owners it's had.

 

[Bertz4]

I’ve found a car and considering to buy but it’s quite far away and has 7 previous owners. At first this put me off but then thinking it’s a 2003, soft top and most probably a second summer car for most might be why these particular cars change hands so much?

It’s the spec I want at the right price so should be being the 8th owner put me off?

Service and MOT history both look great.

Thanks

Looking at it another way, if it’s the right car in good nick, worst case senario, you paid top money drove it for a few years and sold it cheap, the most you would loose is about £3k. You would do a lot worse with a modern motor, and not have the fun.

 

[earthdweller]

I’d buy on condition and history rather than number of owners

These cars do tend to change hands fairly often as do most “fun” cars

I’m the 6th owner of mine, although the first was BMW UK

BMW 6 months
keeper 3 years
Keeper 1 year
Keeper 2 years
Keeper 4 years
Me

Doesn’t look as bad when it’s like that

 

[Mr Tidy]

As others have said multiple owners isn't unusual on cars like this - an awful lot get sold due to changes in circumstances that don't allow for a weekend car, or for one with only 2 seats!

My 2006 car had 5 previous keepers when I bought it in 2016 - I wouldn't be put off by 7 since 2003 so long as there was decent history and the car was in good condition, drove well, etc.

 

[CRAIGO]

Great. Thanks all - that’s put my mind at ease

 

[enzed4]

I have no idea how many previous owners my car has had. I guess that answers your question :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Mine has 7 previous. Its been the most reliable car i have owned, it looks 5 yrs old not 15 and its been over serviced.
At the end of the day its a number on a peice of paper, if the car is good and well priced it doesn't worry me one bit.

 

[MACK]

As others have said service history/documented repairs is key here, not the number of owners. One other aspect that's not been mentioned on the high owner turnover is these cars are reasonably hardcore for most folks. Living with them on a daily basis (if its your only car) can become a bit of a grind for some, especially at this time of year when the roof has possibly not been down for months. For a lot it becomes too much and they bail.

 

[Felix79]

On the Pistonheads buyers guide for the Z4MR's it said not to worry about having a high number of previous owners, as it's a car typically bought fun a summer or two's worth of fun and then they get something a little easier to live with.

I'm very lucky to only be the 4th owner of my Z4MR and is why I think it feels such a solid car, as they truly have loved every second they owned it.

 

[Sharpy1975]

Agree with the above, go on condition and service history. 2 previous for me on my 3.0 2004 minter, was a real find.

 

[m7xeg]

I’m the 7th owner on my E85. Paintwork was in perfect condition when I picked it up last year. Fsh and a steady amount of miles over the years!

I’m sure every previous owner gave it as much TLC as I try to now!