Service history

[merrsh1]

Evening

I’ve spoke to a couple of dealers regards vehicles by email and I’ve asked about the service history of a couple of cars.

I’ve been told service history is difficult to follow as it’s a different system to ours.

I’m conscious I’m looking at buying a 14 year old vehicle with circa 60k miles and i want to make sure it was serviced correctly.

I suspect I’m been told a load of old pony.

What have other peoples experiences regards service history availability when buying their vehicle ?

Cheers

 

[LeStempy]

https://forum.elgrandoc.uk/threads/the-Nissan-Elgrand-e51-for-the-unenlightened.23212/

 

[Richard Fox]

Welcome to the gang Shaun!
Service History on these is a bit of a minefield.
My silver Elgrand came with service history up until around 60,000 and then there on it was very vague till 89,000 when I purchased it. My other Elgrand which I bought with 189,000km on the clock and no service history, is now currently on 255,000. Guess which ones still running and still on the road?
The one with no service history and 255,000!
Not sure whether this helps you!

 

[Highway Dave]

https://forum.elgrandoc.uk/threads/the-Nissan-Elgrand-e51-for-the-unenlightened.23212/

 

[merrsh1]

Welcome to the gang Shaun!
Service History on these is a bit of a minefield.
My silver Elgrand came with service history up until around 60,000 and then there on it was very vague till 89,000 when I purchased it. My other Elgrand which I bought with 189,000km on the clock and no service history, is now currently on 255,000. Guess which ones still running and still on the road?
The one with no service history and 255,000!
Not sure whether this helps you!

Thanks Richard. I take your point but on balance I think a fully serviced vehicle has more chance of making mega miles

it’s all about the oiil really, I’d like to see oil changes regularly. If it isn’t changed the wear is greater obviously

I’ve put a deposit on a vehicle, ran all the checks but if I find it’s got little or no servicing then that’s a problem.

I’m keen to understand what’s a reasonable expectation with an imported car.

 

[merrsh1]

Cheers I did read that on joining. The car vx site recommended was good to know about

 

[merrsh1]

I'm going to give this a bump and hopefully, some kind soul will tell me their service history experience.

My concern is I wouldn't dream of touching a UK car without a good service history and want to know if a full / good service history is actually available most of the time.

Anyone?

 

[JohnK]

Think you'll find it rare to get a full service history. Some have been lucky to find all the documents in the vehicle on arrival but think that is the exception rather than the rule. Mine is now 19 years old. I've had it 5 years from import. No service history from Japan. Had fewer issues in the last 5 years than with many new UK cars I've had over the years.
Found this by doing a simple quick Google search

Service History - Japanese Car Auctions - Integrity Exports

Cars in Japanese car auctions may have service books or service history. Find out how these help you find cars that have been well looked after.

integrityexports.com

This is also worth a read

Why are imported Japanese cars better? - Andrew's Japanese Cars

Short answer Higher quality, better design, more reliable, fun and different. Long, more considered answer Higher standards in design and manufacture I’m of the opinion that Japanese cars in general are designed and manufactured to a higher standard than cars from anywhere else in the world...

andrewsjapanesecars.com

 

[Tim C]

Buying any used car is a gamble, buying one imported from the other side of the world is obviously more so. For instance, many Japanese cars look in great condition but have only done city mileage so are still on the original tyres 10 years later. You are very unlikely to ever actually know an import was treated. All you can do is research what you can and look out for red flags. Most Elgrands are very reliable but there will always be lemons. Make sure you realise often imports require more effort to source parts for, and you find someone to look after it for you before you buy, as you haven't got a dealer network to support you. Good luck

 

[LeStempy]

I was fortunate to have the service record in the vehicle so you may find that it comes over with it, but there's no way to know until it lands.

 

[pnwpaddler]

Think you'll find it rare to get a full service history. Some have been lucky to find all the documents in the vehicle on arrival but think that is the exception rather than the rule. Mine is now 19 years old. I've had it 5 years from import. No service history from Japan. Had fewer issues in the last 5 years than with many new UK cars I've had over the years.
Found this by doing a simple quick Google search

Service History - Japanese Car Auctions - Integrity Exports

Cars in Japanese car auctions may have service books or service history. Find out how these help you find cars that have been well looked after.

integrityexports.com

This is also worth a read

Why are imported Japanese cars better? - Andrew's Japanese Cars

Short answer Higher quality, better design, more reliable, fun and different. Long, more considered answer Higher standards in design and manufacture I’m of the opinion that Japanese cars in general are designed and manufactured to a higher standard than cars from anywhere else in the world...

andrewsjapanesecars.com

Nice links thanks for sharing

 

[Gaco]

Mine did come with some history but was pretty much impossible to work out what had been done or if the paperwork was for the shaken test there version of MOT .
And I tried using translation apps didn't work.
Suppose it's reassuring knowing some work has been done but your buying it based on your own assessment .