Possible 2nd Zed purchase

O

Ole gits rule

Veteran
 Pont-y-Pwll
Good morning all,

I am looking at a VO Z4, however, the small independent garage advises that they do not have any service history as they purchased car from BWM, it was a P/X.

Previous owner had the car for 9 years (2 owner car) its a 13 plate on YY13 WJV, I have asked him to contact BMW to see if they have anything available, It has failed a few MOTs for tyres but they have also listed a service light on as an advisory twice.

On the off chance does anyone on here know the car.
 
I don;t know the car, but for £7 you can go visit https://vin-spec.com/ & get the complete history that BMW holds for the car.

A full breakdown of the order sheet, and any records held by BMW with regard to service history, and any work done by any BMW main dealer will be detailed.

If work has been done on the car by a BMW independent that has the BMW software, this will also be shown with full details.

Back street garage - will not be shown.

You need the VIN - which is visible on the front windscreen - go take a picture of it.

It's the exact thing that a friendly BMW dealer would be able to print you out (if they liked you).
 
I didn't know about that, but it sounds like a great idea if there is history missing.

If the car isn't local the VIN will be on the MOT certificate too.
 
A 2013 Z4 isn't going to be banger money, so I'd be inclined to get full details of the car and get my own HPI check and do the one matsmith749 mentioned before arranging a viewing for a car some distance away.
 
Mr Tidy said:
A 2013 Z4 isn't going to be banger money, so I'd be inclined to get full details of the car and get my own HPI check and do the one matsmith749 mentioned before arranging a viewing for a car some distance away.
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I have run a vehicle score base check and can see the service indicator showing as an advisory a few time on the MOT, the car has passed most of its MOT's but failed a few for tyres, that doesn't worry me to much as I had one fail for a tyres with slits in them which I would never see.

My biggest issue is the lack of service records - I will speak with the garage later and see what they are prepared to give me, they have offered to speak with BMW where they purchased the car from.

I cant imagine it has gone nine years with no service but who the hell knows, they have said it will be serviced before it leave them, however, I want more info.
 
As a separate gauge of use and reliability could the mileage recorded at each MOT also tell a story? 5000 miles say each time the MOT was done might suggest regular use and reliability?
 
therealmc said:
As a separate gauge of use and reliability could the mileage recorded at each MOT also tell a story? 5000 miles say each time the MOT was done might suggest regular use and reliability?
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It could do but still doesn't mean its had an oil and filter changed though which is what I am looking for
 
MOT history doesn't look like a well cared for car IMO - or at least I'd want an explanation/context for some of the things on there, which you almost certainly won't get without speaking to the previous owner.

- Service light has been an advisory for the last 3 years. As above, I would want to know what this is for, it might be entirely innocuous, but it might not. An owner who isn't bothered by this might not be bothered about many other things. I'm guessing the light is no longer on, but has the issue been fixed?

- Front tyres were an advisory in 23, and then seemingly hadn't been changed by the next test a year and 5,000 miles later. That doesn't sound like diligent ownership and maintenance, it sounds like "can't be bothered".

- One rear tyre advisory in 21, then a year and 6,000 miles later is still on the car and has cords exposed.

- Spring broken in 22, I'm not sure how you can not notice that this has happened on a Z4, unless a very minor break.

Sorry to be so negative, but the MOT history, the fact that you're having to beg for any kind of service history, it seems like a bit of a scary one to me. If an owner refuses to change a tyre unless you absolutely have to to get through an MOT, then I can fully imagine going 9 years without a service as well. It's a lot more damning than just a hidden slit in a tyre.
 
We don't need to guess or infer.

If the OP wants the service history, it's available in full for the price of a cup of coffee & phone call to the seller to get the VIN.

Easy.
 
Any BMW main dealer can get any service history details from the reg number, doesn't need to be the VIN.
That is, as said, if they want to.
I have done this a few times and always start by telling the service person on the phone that If I buy the car it will be serviced by them as a bit of a 'sweetener'.
I have found Merc dealers to be a lot more helpful than BMW. It could just be the dealers, though.
 
matsmith749 said:
We don't need to guess or infer.

If the OP wants the service history, it's available in full for the price of a cup of coffee & phone call to the seller to get the VIN.

Easy.
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I know I can get the service history but BMW is closed until Tuesday and the garage can phone and do that bit - he wants to sell the car. make some effort.

I have other options available to me and will go that route if need be, this is not my first rodeo which is why I have not left a deposit either
 
tiglon said:
MOT history doesn't look like a well cared for car IMO - or at least I'd want an explanation/context for some of the things on there, which you almost certainly won't get without speaking to the previous owner.

- Service light has been an advisory for the last 3 years. As above, I would want to know what this is for, it might be entirely innocuous, but it might not. An owner who isn't bothered by this might not be bothered about many other things. I'm guessing the light is no longer on, but has the issue been fixed?

- Front tyres were an advisory in 23, and then seemingly hadn't been changed by the next test a year and 5,000 miles later. That doesn't sound like diligent ownership and maintenance, it sounds like "can't be bothered".

- One rear tyre advisory in 21, then a year and 6,000 miles later is still on the car and has cords exposed.

- Spring broken in 22, I'm not sure how you can not notice that this has happened on a Z4, unless a very minor break.

Sorry to be so negative, but the MOT history, the fact that you're having to beg for any kind of service history, it seems like a bit of a scary one to me. If an owner refuses to change a tyre unless you absolutely have to to get through an MOT, then I can fully imagine going 9 years without a service as well. It's a lot more damning than just a hidden slit in a tyre.
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Not negative at all - its why I am asking the garage for the info, I have the same suspisions
 
The cars has been untaxed since 22/02/25, which is when the last V5c was issued. Has the car sat idle since then and why?
 
I don't think people have seen what I linked above, and might not be aware what it is.

BMW holds a record of all BMWs. Its got everything in it.

The car spec, all options, details about recalls, and in addition the service history with details as to what was done & by who.

It's a PDF, they cannot give all this info over the phone, and they have never emailed it to me. If they have a relationship with you they will likely run this report & print it out for you in person.

But £7 is cheaper than the fuel to go 😀

It does require the VIN, as this site doesn't have a way to lookup the reg plate like BMW can do.

I've done it a few times & super happy with it. Everyone I know that has used it is also pleased with the report.

As far as online resources go, I have yet to come across anything better.

Anyways, won't mention it again.
 
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