RB5Caterham

I bought my scoob about 2.5 years ago, it had one owner and I got it from the supplying dealer who also serviced it from new.

I managed to get all the service invoices from the previous owner and even hard copy pictures of the car when it was up for sale.

Since then, I've alway been back to the same dealer to get it serviced (even though its miles from me) so it has a complete list of invoices from new and the service stamps.

Not all cars that go for sale have this much detail of its past, my question is does this all really matter when it comes down to selling.

Is is only that more cautious buyers will appreciate this kind of documented history or is a fully stamped service book enough?

Missile Man

I would say that extra documentation might not get you a higher price, but it tells a potential buyer a lot about how much care has been taken with the car. In other words, it should make it a bit easier to sell when people look at it.

After all, with stories about clocking and forged service histories, extra evidence gives a lot of reassurance to a buyer.

AudiMan

When I was looking for mine I wouldn't have touched a car without full history, any additional stuff is a bonus and shows the owner is genuine and probably an enthusiast, I keep all the stuff with mine including the for sale picture from the dealer, all receipts for service and work done etc and even bills for extra bits I've bought, all in a plastic folder (sad I know).
I think a lot of people will want FSH (maybe FSSH), certainly dealers will stiff you when trading in if you don't have it.
IMHO of course,

Ian

RB5Caterham

Glad I'm not the only (sad)one

messiah

You can usually tell by the owner if the cars been looked after or not. Keeping Service history up to date is expensive these days and probably costs more in the long run, OK so it may mean your car is less valuable come resale time - but how much cash will you have saved servicing it yourself?

RB5Caterham

I agree, but its a difficult choice. You've just bought your dream motor with a complete history do you follow the straight (official) road and carry on maintaining it, as you say at cost, or go down another route, specialist perhaps?

There must be people out there who dont go with the norm.

jmk

Definitely helps. Not sure about always having to use the same dealer though - full Sunabru history is a must and as a buyer I wouldn't care if it's always the same garage or not.

What helps a sale is to give them the polish, oil (almost full not almost empty small bottle) etc that you use to look after the car - that way they'll know that you really cared about its condition and are less likely to haggle you down.

ScoobyDoo555

Quite a few Scooby owners on this site, now get their cars serviced by 3rd party people, usually because their warrantee is up.

My warrantee is now up and am looking to go elsewhere, but will maintain a FULL service history, irrespective of where I get it serviced....

Dan

Andy Porter

To me full history aint stamps, its stamps and invoices

ADP

Just sold mine, it had full history and every invoice, including mods etc etc - its a really nice bonus for the buyer to have the big wodge of paper work in their hand - Im sure it helps inspire confidence for the buyer too..........shows you have nothing to hide either.

Flat 4x4

Mine had fully documented FSSH with every receipt and even the one for the new engine when the original failed at 60k !
Make of that what you will !

Duck_Pond

It might save a few quid by servicing it yourself, but when selling, in particular if you're trading it in, then you'll be offered nothing like the value for it.

My brother is a Used Car Manager at a local dealership, and was recently telling me about a guy who'd tried to trade in an RB5, but he had no service history with it. I think he was offered about £7k for it. Dealers really don't want to touch anything without a proper history, especially cars like these.

kentscooby2

Agree entirely with ADP.
How else do you convince buyers you are totally honest?
It helps hugely to be able to provide FSSH and all invoices - so can talk through precisely what has been changed/why and what hasn't.

_evo_bird_

cannot beat car with full servise history ... i told some 1 on here that it was important.. i said that it costs more money to by car in auction house from japan , about 800 - 1000 whole english pounds moooooor ...lol

And there is a reason 4 that Doh !
Guy replyed ... Evo-bird not know what she is on about lol ... he was a dealer ...with a hell of a lot of stcok on his web site ...i was surely tempted to ask him how many of his cars had history lol.. but he seemed very anoyed already, coz he then said .. ENUFF! do u think he meant shut your honest mouth up Evo-bird ...

jjones

anyone got the address for babel fish?

misty

EVO-BIRD!Whhhaaattt the **** was that all about?????????????
dave

smithers

Looked for six months for my pride n joy, bought one with relatively high miles but it was three years younger than I thourht I could afford, it has a fssh and receipts for 4.5k of servicing tyres etc. Just had intermediate service at Subaru and no nasty little surprises(thankfully).If you can get a younger car with motorway miles and fssh I think your onto a winner.
Sorry to get back to the original question,I wouldnt buy without a fsh.

Scoobybits

agree with andy porter..receipts and bills not stamps in a book!

RB5Caterham

Thats the only thing about a "Fully" documented history, you count up the £'s on the invoices and think what the **** !!

LG John

Seems to mean bugger all! I've got all my receipts and my car has been serviced perfectly during its life and always on time. A car dealer recently described it as one of the best history's he'd seen. People don't seem to care about the fact the car is well looked after and are more concerned with damage done by women in tesco's (dings). In other words they are more concerned about things they can see that probably cost a few £100 to rectify than things they can't (engines) which probably costs several £1000 to rectify! Go figure?

sulli

People who know what they are looking for will usually insist on FSH. Those that don't have a clue will be satisfied if the car goes fast and looks shiney.
A service history is no gaurantee of the car's future reliability, but it is a pretty good guide.
Mine has a service history which cannot be faulted, and when i sell, the buyer will know he has a good 'un.
It's also good if you can contact previous owners, something I generally do, to ask them about the car - this will, along with a HPI check - uncover anything dodgy.