Logbook Servicing - 2017 SSV Redline

[VryBigPP]

Hey all, I'm looking at purchasing a 2017 SSV Redline, with the LS3 motor. I've got a predicament with the logbook of this particular car.

The service book appears to be missing one of its early services (Particularly the 45,000km interval). The service interval goes from #1 completed at 17,000km, #2 completed at 32,700km, and then it jumps 15 months forward and the next recorded service is at 65,500km. The current owner claims that was the previous owners doing. The car has since gone on to be serviced at regular 15K-16K intervals up until 115K, where it sits today.

My question is; do we think that it's a case of a missed stamp or perhaps a service at home? If the car REALLY went 33,000kms without a service, would there be obvious issues? Especially if it's gone on to be regularly serviced until now, and appear to have no problems? (I've reviewed videos of the car running, and doesnt appear to miss a beat)

I'll note that I'll have a remote vehicle inspection performed before purchasing to assess general condition, and that will include a test drive, but do we think the likelihood of this motor making it to where it is now would have been possible without that service, and would there be obvious signs? Thanks guys!

 

[Forg]

Oil that's too old & gets squeezed (ie. "used") a lot basically causes more wear in the innards of the engine. So to my mind, this is likely to shorten the life of the engine if it has any problems at all; but I would ALSO say that it's really hard to tell whether it's made any significant difference without doing something like getting an oil analysis done on a sump-full of oil that's been run in the car for 10000km ... or something like that.

If it were me I don't think I'd be too worried about it, as long as that assessment comes back as good.
But if I'm giving advice to people who don't know me on the internet? I think it does pose some level of extra risk over something that's had all services documented. I guess build that risk into what you're willing to pay ... ?

 

[rossimo]

I'd be interested in having a peek under a rocker cover etc, if it's had regular servicing it's usually fairly obvious to a keen eye. If it's been neglected and missed a service here or there again it'd be fairly noticeable.

I'd take the vehicle for what it is based off the condition it's in over being tied too much in logbook history. They can also be forged relatively simply.

I've seen a Honda accord that had never been serviced from new to ~60,000kms. At that point the oil didn't drain from the sump, it had to be carved out with a knife, consistency of vegemite. Rocker cover full of sludge. Terrible.

This is inside my ls3 at 17,000kms with oil changes every 3-4,000kms.

 

[Skylarking]

With service, it’s not just kms as dates are important, thus it would be ideal to list them. Also, keep in mind that Holden allows one service to slip by 5000kms? or 3 months? but the next service should still be at its schedules date, not 15k kms or 9 months after the allowed slipped service.

#1 completed at 17,000km on ? 9th month ?
#2 completed at 32,700km on ? 18th month ?
#3 missed at 27th month ?
#4 completed at 65,500km on ? 36th month ?
then did all scheduled services to
#7 at 105k kms or 63rd month…

Also keep in mind that some service exemptions were made for delayed service (delayed by time not kms) during covid lockdowns (though that doesn’t seem to be the case here). Such exemptions didn’t impact warranty but owner should have had a letter from HCC confirming that (… don't ask me how I know ).

And, let’s not forget some don’t give too hoots about stamps in service books (I have no stamps in my service booklet but I have all the service receipts and warranty receipts which imho have more value than a scribble and stamp in some book ever could… said by an OCD enthusiast of a one owner pampered garage queen MSE that I won’t sell )

Back to your car, if all services were done at a dealer, that doesn’t mean the book is always stamped as some people forget to take the service book with them. In such cases, Holden should have records when each service was done, at what kms and by which dealer, so that would be an easy check as any dealer can access such info. Thus you’d be able to clarify if it’s just a missing stamp as compared to a potentially missing service by chatting to a dealer (though privacy crap may come into it and you may need the current owners permission).

Then after those checks, if it’s a missing service from Holdens perspective, the question becomes whether the original owner changed the oil himself, whether he did it at a 3rd party shop (which is why Holden doesn’t know) or whether the original owner just didn’t do it at all (so ask him for proof)…

In any case IIRC a 45k service was just an oil and filter change so not like brake fluid or coolant or spark plugs, etc, has gone past it’s use by date… it’s just engine oil and filter. And as Forg said don’t be too worried if the pre purchase inspection came back ok (no odd engine noises, knocks, rattles, etc, and current oil looks ok) and just factor in any concerns you have in the final price…

Oh and if it’s a dealer sale, you’d have a used car statutory warranty with 3 months 5000km coverage. If private sale, do a PPSR check to ensure no other person/group has interest in the vehicle.

Just keep in mind that these LS3’s may have some issues as clarified in the link below:

Recalls & faults: Holden VF Commodore (2013-17) – Australian Car.Reviews

Good luck with your choice

 

[VryBigPP]

Oil that's too old & gets squeezed (ie. "used") a lot basically causes more wear in the innards of the engine. So to my mind, this is likely to shorten the life of the engine if it has any problems at all; but I would ALSO say that it's really hard to tell whether it's made any significant difference without doing something like getting an oil analysis done on a sump-full of oil that's been run in the car for 10000km ... or something like that.

If it were me I don't think I'd be too worried about it, as long as that assessment comes back as good.
But if I'm giving advice to people who don't know me on the internet? I think it does pose some level of extra risk over something that's had all services documented. I guess build that risk into what you're willing to pay ... ?

Here’s to hoping a remote assessment of the video comes back with little to no issue, at the worst I’d bring it back home from Sydney to Adelaide and have it looked at by my own mechanic, and see if any measures need to be taken. Provided it’s a functioning and working as intended engine, the price is good to reflect

 

[VryBigPP]

With service, it’s not just kms as dates are important, thus it would be ideal to list them. Also, keep in mind that Holden allows one service to slip by 5000kms? or 3 months? but the next service should still be at its schedules date, not 15k kms or 9 months after the allowed slipped service.

#1 completed at 17,000km on ? 9th month ?
#2 completed at 32,700km on ? 18th month ?
#3 missed at 27th month ?
#4 completed at 65,500km on ? 36th month ?
then did all scheduled services to
#7 at 105k kms or 63rd month…

Also keep in mind that some service exemptions were made for delayed service (delayed by time not kms) during covid lockdowns (though that doesn’t seem to be the case here). Such exemptions didn’t impact warranty but owner should have had a letter from HCC confirming that (… don't ask me how I know ).

And, let’s not forget some don’t give too hoots about stamps in service books (I have no stamps in my service booklet but I have all the service receipts and warranty receipts which imho have more value than a scribble and stamp in some book ever could… said by an OCD enthusiast of a one owner pampered garage queen MSE that I won’t sell )

Back to your car, if all services were done at a dealer, that doesn’t mean the book is always stamped as some people forget to take the service book with them. In such cases, Holden should have records when each service was done, at what kms and by which dealer, so that would be an easy check as any dealer can access such info. Thus you’d be able to clarify if it’s just a missing stamp as compared to a potentially missing service by chatting to a dealer (though privacy crap may come into it and you may need the current owners permission).

Then after those checks, if it’s a missing service from Holdens perspective, the question becomes whether the original owner changed the oil himself, whether he did it at a 3rd party shop (which is why Holden doesn’t know) or whether the original owner just didn’t do it at all (so ask him for proof)…

In any case IIRC a 45k service was just an oil and filter change so not like brake fluid or coolant or spark plugs, etc, has gone past it’s use by date… it’s just engine oil and filter. And as Forg said don’t be too worried if the pre purchase inspection came back ok (no odd engine noises, knocks, rattles, etc, and current oil looks ok) and just factor in any concerns you have in the final price…

Oh and if it’s a dealer sale, you’d have a used car statutory warranty with 3 months 5000km coverage. If private sale, do a PPSR check to ensure no other person/group has interest in the vehicle.

Just keep in mind that these LS3’s may have some issues as clarified in the link below:

http://[URL][URL]https://australiancar.reviews/recalls-faults-holden-vf-commodore-2013-17/

[/URL][/URL]

Good luck with your choice

I’ll certainly give Holden a call and see if they can dig up anything, the first service appears to have been done at the place of purchase (which is now defunct since), but remaining services appear to be stamped by a specialist BMW and Mercedes shop I had no luck trying to chase up a possible forgotten stamp with them, so hopefully I can get something off Holden themselves.

For context, the gap of the 32K - 65K service interval was from 20/01/2019 and 15/05/2020. I feel like realistically, that early on with warranty and new car age in general, that it was likely serviced in some way shape or form. But a remote inspection should hopefully put my stress at ease, and a further rocker cover and oil analysis should answer any qualms

 

[VZSSHawk]

/

http://[URL]https://australiancar.reviews/recalls-faults-holden-vf-commodore-2013-17/

[/URL]

thanks for this link, very useful.

 

[rossimo]

If it was under the original persons ownership when it "missed" the service I'd think it's likely to be a case of missed paperwork etc, don't think too many people would've bought a new redline and then missed a service risking damage/warranty etc.

People do weird things though.

Hopefully it all checks out, they are a decent car and put a smile on your face.

 

[J_D 2.0]

People do weird things though.

Yes they do! Like buy a brand new Lexus and go tens of thousands of miles on the original run in oil and destroy the engine! Then palm it off as a trade in to some other sucker!

 

[hademall]

Yes they do! Like buy a brand new Lexus and go tens of thousands of miles on the original run in oil and destroy the engine! Then palm it off as a trade in to some other sucker!

I loved this guy's honesty and passion. So true about the karma too. It does come back to bite you.