Missing service - Should I buy it?

Just test drove a 2005 RR 4.4 Vogue with 93k on the clock. I'm buying from a small dealer who said he took it as a part x. There has been 2 owners from new but when checking the service log it was serviced at 29k, 68k and 92k. My initial thought was that it hadn't been serviced for years between each one however, it seems that the 2nd owner has done considerable motorway miles each year but has had it serviced once a year. Should I be worried? The car is spotless inside and out, looks and drives like it's new.
I have taken the phone number of the garage that has done every service except the last to see if they can tell me anything about the car.

All being well, I'm hoping to be part of the club by Thursday, but not sure if the amount of mileage between services should be avoided.

Can anyone give me some advice?

Rich

Avoid.

If the price is right I wouldn't worry about it. Summit tells me that it would have PeteTong by now if it had done £60k without a service. I would get it serviced as soon as you buy it so you know the baseline of when it was last done. It might give you negotiating point with the garage that yer buying it from too.

It all depends on the price, IMHO.

If it's cheap enough it might be worth a punt. How much are they asking for it?

Could use the missing service to get even more out of the dealer. Let's face it, not many people want to buy such a car these days so you are in the driving seat.

Should be serviced every 15k miles and thats gone 29k, 39k and 24k between services . I dont buy into the 'well if it was going to go wrong it would have by now' either as its not always the case. What has probably happened is you will have some serious wear to the engine especially the bearings and you could quite easily have it 6 months and the big ends start knocking or even worse a rod decided to make a break for freedom

This is not a car where you can go down the breakers and pick a new lump up for £200 and take a day doing a swap.

Unless it is seriously cheap 'i.e cheap enough to factor in a replacement engine and still be cheaper than buying one with a proper service record' I would run for the hills

Don't think you'll get much change out of £5000 for a new 4.4 v8 so it REALLY needs to be cheap to factor that in. Guess a rebuild and refit will be about half that.

Mine has had all the services - in fact it's in having a service right now and there was still 5000 miles before it was due...... BUT - on the VERY first service it had, the mechanic didn't fit the oil filter correctly and it collapsed. Now (and the cars only done 36000 miles) when starting from cold the engine sounds like there's no oil in it for a few seconds.

It's not going to last much longer but it just goes to show that if the car has had proper services and no problems it should be OK - IF, there's a problem though these things should show up pretty quickly.

Anyway, I digress - Sounds to me like there might be a paperwork issue. Who in their right mind would go 29K in a 60 grand car without a service?

I'd dig a little deeper if I were you - See if you can find out who supplied the car and give them a call - it should all be on computer. You might be surprised.

how can you not fit a oil filter correctly?Well i mean and not notice the oil ****ing everywhere.
Any way OP, Id steer clear of the motor.RR v8s like ALOT of servicing, once a year with these miles is not enough, by far.

Thanks for all your advice. I spoke to the garage that serviced it last (there were numerous receipts for brakes etc) they said they had only serviced it once (a year ago) but that it was a good car. When they did the service they checked the car and there were no problems with it. They put a brand new gear box in it 1 year ago (now out of warrently). The thing that amazes me is that whoever owned it kept it in imaculate condition inside and out, so obviosly cared for it. But, they didn't get it serviced, even though it had gone in for new brakes on numerous occasions.

Maybe he did the oil/filter changes himself? Can you not get hold of previous owners details and ask?

I think I'll try that tomorrow. However, I've just posted another thread because I tested another vogue tonight; 2003 (53) with only 41k on the clock with full LDSH in gun metal grey for the same price as this 05. My head tells me go for the lower milage but the 05 is stunning.

What to do?????

In the words of that intelligent guru, storm99, ''who gives a toss about mileage, its a landy/rangie ffs''.

So its had a poor service history, had a new gearbox and a lot of brakes? Sounds like its had the **** thrashed out of it ????????? If its done a load of motorway miles like you said before why would it need a new box?

I would go for the other one dont be sucked in by how shiney something is, it obviously been made to look nice so you overlook how much of a lemon it is :doh:

You have to think that if you are having these thoughts now, so will the person you try and sell it to when you come to get rid.

Irrespective of how much of a bargain it is, and how good it its, i would steer well clear as it could be a nightmare to get rid of for exactly the same reasons! If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. There are thousands out there, spend an extra grand and get a kosher one otherwise you will come to regret it!

compromise?
2004 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER 4.4 V8 SE 4dr Auto Estate

I put a deposit on the lower mileage car today and I'm picking it up tomorrow. Even though the 05 plate looked cleaner, I would be nervous about every knock, rattle or bump I hear and therefore would enjoy the experience of owning one. It's a really good looking car and if I put some nice wheels and sidesteps on it it will look amazing.

Thanks for everyones advice, this site is great, loads of good, balanced opinions.

See you on the other side tomorrow, keep your fingers crossed for me.

Good decision