Hypothetically, you're about to buy a 13 year old Focus.  Currently it has full Ford service history.  But is now due a service.

Would you prefer to buy it as is, and pay for the main dealer service after purchase?  Or drive it away with a fresh oil change, but done privately, breaking the FFSH run?

There's no right answer, just interested what the majority on here would prefer.  

If I was buying from a private vendor, a very recent service stamp and supporting receipt would be a plus point.  But being the sort of owner that I am, I would still do a few basic checks like oil colour on dipstick, look at tyre wear, etc.  Let alone a decent road test.

Speaking Hypothetically again, if you had been struggling to sell a car for some time, that has stood idle, then that new MOT and service I think would help to sell it.

 

But buying from a second hand car dealer that offers a brand new MOT and Service - I'd be very careful !  If the warranty was for 6 months, then it would be way out of warranty when the new owner would go for the next MOT and Service, when the can of worms may well be opened !

Having once bought a car with a fresh MOT, that did not even have a full complement of headlamp bulbs, clearly that MOT was not particularly thorough.  (There is a lot more to this episode, but I won't bore you !)

 

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Hypothetically, you're about to buy a 13 year old Focus. 

Nice that up until now it has a full Ford service history, but in reality those buying a 13 year old car are not ever likely to cross the doors of a Ford main dealer in the future unless its absolutely critical.

I'd never pay too much attention to what a seller says about previous independent / private services, even though in many cases they were probably done better than at a Ford main dealer.

If it were me, I'd just sell it "As Is" and let the new owner decide what they want to do about the next service.

"Hypothetically" - is that on behalf of your "friend" - like going into a chemist and asking for some cream for a friend's rash? 😉

Anyway....

I wouldn't need the hypothetical seller to pay for a full Ford service. But I would be very reassured if the seller would provide a brand new MOT (£35 round my way). Not to tell me that the lights and the horn work (which I think even I could work out) but because they get the car up on a ramp, pull all the steering and suspension about, look at CV joint boots and look for structural rust. They'll even tell me if the brake pads are just about to wear out without me getting on my hands and knees.

8 minutes ago, alanfp said:

I would be very reassured if the seller would provide a brand new MOT

A very valid point. 👍

I've just had my own car MOT'd and have deliberately waited until that was done before booking a Ford main dealer service. Why I hear you ask ?

So that when it goes for service I don't get a phone call from the dealer telling me it needs, new this, and new that and oh by the way your waffle sprocket needs replacing 🤣

17 minutes ago, alanfp said:

"Hypothetically" - is that on behalf of your "friend" - like going into a chemist and asking for some cream for a friend's rash? 😉

Lol, sort of, but not quite.  I don't expect to sell the car on here now.  (After all, I couldn't even give it away last year!)  So I'm just trying to gauge a general consensus.  I know people get put off cars for odd reasons, and I'm not sure if being 'due a service' would put more off than having just had a private service.

For reference, it will be MOT'd - buying a car privately without MOT is a logistical nightmare.  And at worst, if it goes to a car buying service, most of those won't even value a car without MOT.