Would this car be a good buy?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201904046631952
Positives
Full service history
Clean MOT history without any serious advisories ever
Break pads have been recently replaced with good quality brembo brake pads
Good brand tyres all around
Spare tyre in boot. One of the previous owners had purchased this as an extra.
Negatives
7 owners
Current owner has only owned it from August 2019
I spoke to the owner and went and saw the car, 2 weeks ago.
He is a Hungarian gentleman, who is leaving UK, hence selling the car.
Issues with the car at that time:-
1) Air Con was not cooling
2) Only 1 key
3) A little uneven panel gaps around the front grille and bonnet
I was concerned about the AC not cooling, wondering whether it could be a condenser leak / failure
I have been informed by the seller that the AC fault was with the clutch on the compressor, that has now been fixed.
He has also made a spare key through Timpsons and done the transponder coding. It doesn't remotely unlock the cars, but can start the engine.
The seller also informed me that the panel gaps are likely because the radiator has been previously replaced, and that it looks like some bumper clips were broken, when the bumper was taken off, to replace the radiator.
The seller also sent me a copy of the service history.
I called most of the garages on the service record, who have confirmed that they have done an oil change service, at the service date specified.
However I was not able to verify the last service (Aug 2018), as the name of the servicing garage is not clear (some kind of mobile maintenance company).
Seller says that he bought the car from a person who used to work for AJ Autos branch in Ashford,Kent, but their main branch is in Deal, Kent.
Car was previously registered in the name of AJ Autos, though it was owned by the employee.
I asked the current owner for the previous owner's phone number. That was provided to me. I wanted to check with the previous owner how long they had the car, and why it was serviced at a mobile maintennance company, if the owner worked for a garage, and the car was registered in the name of the garage.
But the person I spoke to refused to provide any information and told me that I've got the wrong number.
Current seller says that it was because the previous seller and he parted on bad terms, When the current owner discovered after the sale that the brakes were worn, he requested previous seller to repair it at his garage at a discounted price. But the previous owner refused to take any calls or answer texts.
I then tried to call the main branch of AJ Autos in Deal, to confirm previous ownership of the car. But their number no longer seems to be in service.
The car seems keenly priced for it's age and mileage. Price has dropped by £500 over the last month.
On balance, is it worth taking a punt on this car? Or are the above points serious causes of concern?
The 7 owners in my mind is the main cause of concern. Not sure how serious the other issues are....
Thoughts / advice welcome... :-)
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