Impact on value of service history gap?

[True-Blue]

What are the forums views on gaps in service history on value, what you’d pay?

To put this into context, let’s say a 2006 car was serviced in 2008, 2011, 2014 and lastly 2018.... but with under 20k miles covered between 2014 & 2018. So it’s been serviced late, had a big gap between 2014 and 2018 and is overdue a service now.

Would you just not consider this car at all, or if it met some of your key criteria would you still be tempted to go and see it?

For clarity, this is a car I’m considering have a look at.... not one I own, But it is a bit of a trek and the MOT history isn’t exactly stellar either

Many thanks

 

[mr wilks]

What engine ? That is massively relevant .
I wouldn't want any turbo engine with same oil in for 4 yrs 20k or a S54 but a 23i or 30i can probably do it with no long lasting effects

 

[True-Blue]

What engine ? That is massively relevant .
I wouldn't want any turbo engine with same oil in for 4 yrs 20k or a S54 but a 23i or 30i can probably do it with no long lasting effects

Hi Andy, 3.0si E85

 

[mr wilks]

What engine ? That is massively relevant .
I wouldn't want any turbo engine with same oil in for 4 yrs 20k or a S54 but a 23i or 30i can probably do it with no long lasting effects

Hi Andy, 3.0si E85

Its a 14yr old car , you have to view & consider it on current condition & instinct , you've had N52s so you should be able to spot a bad one if it has issues .
It isn't ideal but if price reflects & it satisfies on inspection then it wouldn't really concern me

 

[True-Blue]

Yes, of course, but a limited service history has to impact value to some degree... I guess I’m trying to quantify ‘to what degree’ ?

This 14 year old car has only been serviced 4 times in 14 years and is closing in on 80k miles.

It’s almost definitely going to need some TLC, but For the right price I might be tempted as a project.

 

[Zedebee]

Everyone would prefer a great service history but it can be a false reassurance. I agree with Mr Wilks that some aspects of servicing are really important for some types of engine. However an engine that’s been seriously ragged all it’s life will be in much worse shape than one that’s been looked after regardless of servicing. I wasn’t unhappy buying a car which had only been serviced when the engine management said so (not very often) because in all other respects it was hardly used and most of the MOT history noted the presence of a child seat!

 

[ph001]

To me, it would be nice to know WHAT oil was used for the service before the gap. If it was a top quality synthetic I wouldn’t be too concerned. If no receipts then it’s anybody’s guess. I’d be using it as a bartering tool for £500 or so.

 

[Tommo61]

It depends where the gap is, miles between gap and if there have been any other maintenance items logged, such as oil only services.

If you're buying a 15 year old car with 80k on it and it didn't have a service at 20, frankly it's water under the bridge if its still sunning after another 60k. Who cares if it skipped a cabin/air filter change and didn't get a stamp at a dealer somewhere on the way? If it hasn't had anything done for the last 5 years, or 40k, that's another issue! Regular/low mileage oil is the main thing. I don't think filters, plugs and various checks are the end of the world, you can always bring these up to scratch.

 

[Rockhopper]

I judge cars on what they are, not whats happened in the past (especially older ones). If the oil in there looks clean and there is plenty of it then crack on. However i would look into items that should have been changed (cam belts etc - not on Z4's) to make sure its been done recently as I wouldn't want to have to pay for that any time soon or I'd want money knocked off to get it done myself.
Dealers however only tend to be interested in the service book - I sold one car with a huge pile of receipts from a specialist garage but no stamps in the book - he looked at the book and said "not much history with it....".

 

[maxman]

If it was cheap and not to far away I would buy on present condition,I would not want to travel miles in the hope it was ok.There are loads of z4 for sale at any given time and if the intention was to keep I would pay a bit more for one that’s been well maintained .

 

[True-Blue]

Thanks Gents, all good valid points

 

[Mike6]

BMW service durations are the max mileage that should be undertaken. I read somewhere (official blurb) that if you want to retain car in good condition services should be undertaken more frequently. Long life oil is no guarantee that you can go stupid distances before servicing. Therefore even service history at stated intervals would worry me, not least I have no confidence that services are carried out properly. In my own circumstances Zed came with full main dealer history but as a spanner lover, I soon discovered that air filter had never been changed was incredibly dirty and was stamped 2005.
I do all my own work and write this up in the service book. I know forum members put a lot of emphasis on this but I wonder if I come to sell the car how important this will be.

 

[True-Blue]

I wouldn’t have a big issue with a home serviced car if receipts/invoices for the oil, parts etc were included with the car as evidence.

It’s impossible to know the competence level of the home mechanic but, on the other hand, the same could be said of a garage.