Imperfect service history - does it matter?

Technical Area Routine Servicing
1
  1. My model of MX-5 is: 20118 1.8 SE__
  2. I’m based near: Surrey__
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Service history__

I’ve just bought an immaculate 28k miles Mk3, very little rust and now I’ve treated and undersealed it. The car is in super condition and drives perfectly. V5 in order, UK car, 1 owner and no accidents.

I knew this going in, but the service history is a little patchy. It is as follows:

  • PDI service at 7 miles (with invoice and on Mazda digital record)
  • Mazda service at 11,000 miles (with invoice and on Mazda digital record)
  • Second service 26,600 miles at now-defunct Ford dealer in the Midlands (no invoice and dealer records all destroyed in 2018 - not on Ford database either)
  • Third service at 28,200 with invoice from a TVR dealer
  • Fourth service at 28,300 at an independent dealer (but no one can find the record). Just 100 miles after the previous service as it had sat inside a garage for four years plus Covid etc.
  • Fifth service at 28,350 at an independent (invoice present and correct) before owner then sold it to me

All the MOTs add up sequentially, recent tyre advisory addressed by 4x new tyres by previous owner.

So the car has clearly been looked after well (underused better than overused, right…) but there are a couple of gaps in the record.

So the question is for future resale - does it really matter? For a 10-year + car worth less than £9k which is obviously in super condition (and which I will get serviced next spring - and keep the invoice!) do these things ‘count’ against me or is it more about evident condition? Or am I being totally OCD (very possible)…

Any thoughts welcome!

Thanks

2

No.
:heart:

3

Sounds like it’s over serviced :+1:

Self service from now, keep receipts and date/mileage done or of course have serviced, again keep receipts etc.

I tend to not bother now with getting a service annually, I DIY on older cars but keep records, I’ve never had a problem selling them when its time.

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4

Consider how fortunate the next owner would be.
Be happy, stop worrying, the car sounds exceptional. Enjoy, life is too short.

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5

Bang on, exactly the response from a friend of mine who has a 1980s Mercedes SL. He added that it’s all about current condition for classic / weekend / hobby cars.

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6

Ha I agree but if only I had the skills and time…at least an independent would keep the costs down I assume. Out of curiosity I might even see what Mazda charge next spring. They may do a 3+ or 5+ servicing menu like BMW used to do to compete with the independents…

7

You could ask for recommendations on here for your area re servicing, try going for an MX-5 specialist if poss.
I can recommend but it’s too far from your area to mention, like East Mids or South Yorks.

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8

Yep will note for nearer the time. Thanks all - what a great forum this is - super-helpful.

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9

Where are you in the Midlands? Sam Goodwin in Nuneaton will do whatever you want or need in terms of servicing from an oil / filter change to all fluids plus a mechanical check over, and at a reasonable cost.

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