Service history

[Philip Edginton]

Low mileage full service history still seems to be the mantra for buying cars.
What do members think, over a period of say 10 years the expense of repairs as apposed to servicing and repairs, or neglect and recommission.
I promised myself a Bentley for my latter years and being a mechanic was quite happy to buy a mechanically run down car. The body and interior were in excellent condition.
Using a specialist RR/Bentley garage (Ghost motors) I have spent a lot more than I should have (16k), but having it up to a good standard is a must for any of my cars.
So the question I pose, would I have spent that much on repairs and replacement parts and labour under normal ownership.This did include the head gaskets. Which I was not aware of at time of purchase.

[Philip Edginton]

I am amazed at 37 views, but surprised that no one has made any comment, whatever their view.

[Nicholas Simons]

Doesn't the answer depend on what Bentley has been purchased? The recommissioning costs will be different for modern, T, S, Mk VI, Derby or WO. For some of these, £16k is a mere walk in the park.

[John Murch]

I think I would prefer a slightly higher mileage car with a full detailed service history than a lower mileage one without. Preventative maintenance (especially on the post war models) is most important. As Nicholas says, £16k could well be a bargain if that returns a car to excellent reliable order. If you bought a new £60k car you could expect £16k depreciation in the first year.

[Iain Warner]

A major factor will also be how much of the repair work and maintenance the owner carries out themselves. I would guess this is probably higher for an older car owned by a dirty finger nail enthusiast (amongst which I include myself)

[Christopher Carnley]

Just to many variables, like "is your piece of string shorter than mine"?

[Philip Edginton]

Sorry to say that reply just did not strike a cord with me.

[Charles Skinner]

Maybe you could pluck a piece of string instead.

[Philip Edginton]

Am I being picked on, or just punished for dropping my H's.

[John Murch]

Philip,
I have no idea what the last few posts mean, it’s a shame that people can’t try to be helpful.
John

[Christopher Carnley]

It is John, but the question is as vague as 50 shades.

[Philip Edginton]

Possibly myself to blame for not being more direct, although I have enjoyed the later responses, even if only to show the posts were being noticed.
What was being asked was whether there is any difference between the cost of maintenance and repairs over say ten years, compared to the lack of service etc until major repairs are demanded.
I only ask this as there seems to be a bit of a mantra regarding service history, which disregards if the vehicle is in excellent condition and no history.

While on the history subject, how does one attempt to find lost history.

[John Robins]

Can you tell us what sort of car you have?

As you mention head gaskets is it a V8?

Cheers
John

[Christopher Carnley]

It all depends upon who has done the service, what have they done, and what has been neglected.

I have had experience of cars with a full book of stamps and most of the service history is just a pack of lies.

[Philip Edginton]

I have to apologise for not replying, it is only due to scrolling through the forum that I noticed.
My car is a 1994 Brooklands, so far I have discovered it has had 7 previous owners, the mileage is 101k.it has also had 3 registrations. I am aware of the 2 previous owners, which take me back to 2009.The body and interior is in good condition, mechanically I have spent the aforementioned sum to include tyres and polishing and leather treatments.
I really enjoy driving the car, it is a promised present. The only disappointment is I am no longer able to do the upkeep myself. 

[Paul_Bridgestock]

For me, I would always go for a much higher mileage with a cast iron service history over a low mileage car. Having said that, I am a mere poor chap who does not buy a newer car due to any reason other than lack of funds.

I am new to Bentley ownership and bought the car ( a 2000 Arnage Red Label with 105,000 miles) sight unseen after a bottle of Champagne too many. Actually it was local Blanquette de Limoux fizz rather than Champers, but don't let us get truth in the way of a decent yarn.

I paid nothing for it and expected, in the morning with a slight hangover, to have a disaster on my hands.

There are no local 'specialists' in the area, in fact everybody who sees the car says the French equivalent of "Oh, you have a Rolls Royce!". My local garage here in Axat, France run by my friend Monsieur Ruffie who is an excellent basic mechanic, claimed to have once serviced a 318 BMW but while he is the most honest garage owner I have ever met, I fear that one 'Ricard' too many led him to confuse it with a Lada 1.3. 'Posh' cars here are few and far between (although I did see an Alfa Sud drive though recently). Ah. Those Italians and their supercar exotics!

David, a friend I met through the Club advised me to put aside 10k to deal with sorting it out. With that in mind, the current Mrs Bridgestock was put on the auction block but, good news. Before the hammer fell we discovered after a 3.5 hours inspection that the old boy (his name is Bertie) was in the finest of fettles and only required new rear brake pads.

Now showing the obedience that I think is clear that I deserve, Valence (for such is her name) is rather more accepting of the need for Arnage maintenance over such luxury's as food and medicine!

My advice (and never having had a Bentley before and knowing nothing about them), would be to buy the best colour combination available to the highest specification and blow the consequences.

By the way the most sought after model is a year 2000 model with Sapphire Black paint and cream piped leather in blue. Cash offers only please…….