Would you buy a P38 with no service history?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
MikeV8SE

MikeV8SE

New Member
Posts
1,771
Location
Bucks
OK, I have found a potential P38 I am interested in buying, but there's two factors counting against it:

1. It has been stood since 2008 (indoors though, I think)
2. It has no service history

So, why am I even considering it? Well, firstly it's cheap. That's not a good enough reason I know; I've looked at a few cheap P38's and walked away already, but I don't wanna chuck loads of money at one either so cost is very much a factor.

Secondly, it actually looks in pretty good nick - interior looks clean (although I am sure it has been valeted) and from the photo's I have seen, the bodywork looks in good shape too. I am yet to physically view the car. It has also 'only' covered around 120k miles - most in my price range are around 170k.

Thirdly, it is just the right car I'm after - a DSE auto in blue with cream leather, even has front and rear light guards and (plastic) bull bars which I'd want for greenlaning anyway. That little lot would add up to several hundred pounds I'm sure.

So, would you consider it (can do without the "No, it's a P38" comments!)? It's a good hours drive away so don't want to waste a journey.

The private plate (not included) says "Doc" and the dealer who took it in tells me it was one of many cars and just stopped being used. I would guess the service history was there and has just gone missing over time.

The way I look at it is if it starts and runs fine, it is probably worth a punt. The only things that would perish over time unused would be the airbags I guess, but replacing those isn't a big job I understand, and will cost around £300 for Arnott Gen II bags (not sure I'd bother going for Gen III's at double the cost as the extra ground clearance can be had by reprogramming the EAS ECU anyway, as I understand it).

So, what ya reckon? Worth a look or walk away?
 
service history doesnt mean that much to me ,as when i service vehicles i change all oils as a matter of course plus whatever else is required and most dont seem bothered about book been stamped, and lots with full histories that have obviously only had engine oil and filter done in years ,i would consider it but give auto box a good test ive known clutch plates deteriorate from been stood for sometime and others as good as ever
 
I payed £450 for a 97 4.0 with headgasket failure. and done a 1200 mile round trip to get it but i was getting obcessed about getting a p38. So ask your-self do you feel you can coupe with the matinace of a p38 as it gunna go wrong sooner or later. and also if a dealer is selling it why doesnt he replace the air bags and put a 12month mot on and ask £2500-£3000
 
As with any second hand car at "The right price", it comes down to going into it with an open mind as most older cars on the market have incomplete or missing history.
You have obviously been reading the forum and should be fully aware of the weak points and problem areas that the P38's have.
The important thing is to get the car up to temperature and take it on a good run, not just around the block.
Check everything works electrically, transfer box in high & low ranges, autobox through the gears, HEVAC operation, EAS operation and condition...take it down to Access then up to High, does it struggle to raise ?, when it's up at High, have a look at the air spring condition. Check the condition of the oils & coolant.
If in doubt about your level of knowledge on the P38, take someone with you who does.
Body wise, the P38 is pretty good.
Good Luck
 
Service history does not mean a lot. If the vehicle looks right, runs right, drives right, everything works that should within reason and it's a reasonable price. You have a choice to make no one on here can make it for you. If you do buy it give it a full oils, fluids, filters change as soon as you get it.
 
Can't see a problem if its cheap.
If the auto box packs in and you can do it yourself its less than a grand for a recon one from ashcrofts. Airbags are easy to do the only pain is you will probably have to change the brake pipes front to rear.
 
OK, thanks guys. The dealer is putting 12 months MOT I think (already has MOT to Dec 2011) on it and giving it a "health check" anyway. It doesn't have tax but can test drive it on their trade plates I would guess.

Would a car fail an MOT on dodgy air springs? I know it would fail for a cracked coil spring for instance, do they check airbags in the same way?

What are the usual gearbox problems then? I thought the gearboxes were pretty strong on these - this would not be a DIY job for me to change, so could be a deal breaker. Is it just a case of trying it in Hi and Lo range and 1-3 as well as D and R? Are they "sealed for life" units or do they need oil changes?

Someone mentioned brake pipes - are they copper pipes? Is that a big job? Probably not something I would DIY either...

Depending what the dealer does, I would change and fluids and filters not changed when sold myself and start a service history from then on.

I will update this thread as I learn more about the car!
 
gearbox t/box need oil changes ,yes definately try all functions ,its just ive known them loose clutch plate material after been stood in presumably damp conditions its was obvious as drive was soon less than positive,most likely be all right but give it hard test all std brake lines are steel check pipe as far up in wheel arch as you can
 
Land Ho! said:
yes i would. However, service history isn't worth the paper it's written on unless it's main dealer.
Click to expand...

Why a main dealer, back street garages are just as capable of changing oil and stamping a book as anyone else? More often than not better mechanics as well.
 
wammers said:
Why a main dealer, back street garages are just as capable of changing oil and stamping a book as anyone else? More often than not better mechanics as well.
Click to expand...

Hello mate. Thats not what i was implying.

I meant because anyone with a mechanic mate who has a garage can stamp the book.
And it happens more than you might think.
 
Buy mine! New Engine (remanufacture from Turner Engineering) only done 6000mls, Oil changed every thousand, new air bags all round, new steering damper, new air pump, lovely clean interior, I just dont use her, reckon I have done about 600 miles since her MOT in Feb which she flew through
 
david.wade said:
Buy mine! New Engine (remanufacture from Turner Engineering) only done 6000mls, Oil changed every thousand, new air bags all round, new steering damper, new air pump, lovely clean interior, I just dont use her, reckon I have done about 600 miles since her MOT in Feb which she flew through
Click to expand...

Must have been some crash if all the air bags went off? :)
 
Mike, Got to be worth it mate, exactly how i bought mine.. no service papers at all. Just log book.!! Had her about 5 months now, & all i have had on mine was: new eas compressor - for air bags, nothing else. looks like its had a recon auto box in though as looks shiney as looking through the engine bay, oh & my sunroof motor doesnt work. other than that cant fault it. I did take mine out on a run of around 45 mins though & parked up to check what electrics i could. well worth considering if its at right price, but like whats already been mentioned check for overheating as rads are prone to leak/crack. I havent experienced this yet so think have been lucky with the purchase.
 
MikeV8SE said:
Would a car fail an MOT on dodgy air springs? I know it would fail for a cracked coil spring for instance, do they check airbags in the same way?

Someone mentioned brake pipes - are they copper pipes? Is that a big job? Probably not something I would DIY either...
Click to expand...


Not had my P38 fail MOT for air springs, but I did have a td5 discovery fail MOT on leaking air springs, so I would assume they are part of the test.

Brake pipes are just awkward to do due to the route they take, and bleeding them is not easy either.
 
MikeV8SE said:
OK, I have found a potential P38 I am interested in buying, but there's two factors counting against it:

1. It has been stood since 2008 (indoors though, I think)
2. It has no service history

So, why am I even considering it? Well, firstly it's cheap. That's not a good enough reason I know; I've looked at a few cheap P38's and walked away already, but I don't wanna chuck loads of money at one either so cost is very much a factor.

Secondly, it actually looks in pretty good nick - interior looks clean (although I am sure it has been valeted) and from the photo's I have seen, the bodywork looks in good shape too. I am yet to physically view the car. It has also 'only' covered around 120k miles - most in my price range are around 170k.

Thirdly, it is just the right car I'm after - a DSE auto in blue with cream leather, even has front and rear light guards and (plastic) bull bars which I'd want for greenlaning anyway. That little lot would add up to several hundred pounds I'm sure.

So, would you consider it (can do without the "No, it's a P38" comments!)? It's a good hours drive away so don't want to waste a journey.

The private plate (not included) says "Doc" and the dealer who took it in tells me it was one of many cars and just stopped being used. I would guess the service history was there and has just gone missing over time.

The way I look at it is if it starts and runs fine, it is probably worth a punt. The only things that would perish over time unused would be the airbags I guess, but replacing those isn't a big job I understand, and will cost around £300 for Arnott Gen II bags (not sure I'd bother going for Gen III's at double the cost as the extra ground clearance can be had by reprogramming the EAS ECU anyway, as I understand it).

So, what ya reckon? Worth a look or walk away?
Click to expand...

If the interior valet included a steam clean, walk away as the steam will have got into the BECM and several other ECU's:eek::eek::eek:
 
I haven't read the complete tread but to answer the above bought 2 with no history one on 150k no major probs till injection pump 3 years on, other 200k no probs a year on.
 
Bought mine on fleabay on a whim. Knew nothng about rangies P38 or others. It had no service history tax and a months MOT. I just saw it and thought "thats cheap for a rangie" and bought it.
Took about 6 moths to learn my way around it, sorted most of the problems out it had and have done most of the jobs you can do without a lift or pit. Must admit in the first few months i came close to getting rid, i would go out in the morning and it would have had a hissy fit and decided not to start, but with the help of some very fine people on here she seems to be sorted now and its been a year without anything more than minor niggles. Wouldnt change it now for the world.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

dogsbody
P38 no crank
Replies
13
Views
530
Grrrrrr
Grrrrrr
A
P38A 2 piece headliner ?
Replies
6
Views
505
Grrrrrr
Grrrrrr
Bushfed
Service history
Replies
8
Views
739
Bushfed
Bushfed
A
EVOQUE YES or NO
2 3 4
Replies
61
Views
2K
v8250
v8250
Henry_b
P38A P38 audio system.
Replies
4
Views
567
nigelbb
N
Back
Top