Should we be concerned?

[MKW]

Hey everyone!  We are yet to buy our first Alphard but are seriously considering one.  It is a 2006, imported in 2021.  Hasn't been serviced since import but has only done 8K miles in that time, with a total of 65K miles on the clock.  MOT pass each year with no advisories, until this year when rear brake discs and pads are now being advised.  I have pictures of the vehicle pre import but the current owner doesn't have the import paperwork.  It's a lovely van and I'm sure it will be fine but needed to see what other people thought before we commit to making the purchase.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Rojie]

4 hours ago, MKW said:

Hey everyone!  We are yet to buy our first Alphard but are seriously considering one.  It is a 2006, imported in 2021.  Hasn't been serviced since import but has only done 8K miles in that time, with a total of 65K miles on the clock.  MOT pass each year with no advisories, until this year when rear brake discs and pads are now being advised.  I have pictures of the vehicle pre import but the current owner doesn't have the import paperwork.  It's a lovely van and I'm sure it will be fine but needed to see what other people thought before we commit to making the purchase.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Hello Mark,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

When is the MOT due ?

Advisory is just that. Could mean it needs replacing soon, or maybe even longer.

Does MOT state pad thicknesses ?

You can expect the next MOT station to 'home in' on any advisories as a certainty.

 

Does not sound like an expensive job to me.

Perhaps other members will give you a target price.

 

Are you buying privately ?

If so consider agreeing a price, with the work done, and a new MOT.

 

 

 

[MKW]

Hey! Thanks for your reply. The MOT has just been carried out in the last week or so and I’ve already received a reduction in cost for to  have the advisories done at a later date.

I guess my main concern is it hasn’t been serviced for more than four years, although only travelled 8K miles in that time. Should this concern me? What about the fact the current owner has no history of the sale and import from Japan. It’s a private sale.

[Rojie]

4 hours ago, MKW said:

Hey! Thanks for your reply. The MOT has just been carried out in the last week or so and I’ve already received a reduction in cost for to  have the advisories done at a later date.

I guess my main concern is it hasn’t been serviced for more than four years, although only travelled 8K miles in that time. Should this concern me? What about the fact the current owner has no history of the sale and import from Japan. It’s a private sale.

 

  Hi Mark,

 

I would not be too concerned about the servicing. It is a Toyota !

My machine is a low miler, and I don't do many miles each year.

Look at the condition of the engine oil, the antifreeze, other fluid levels.

Has the machine been prepared for sale properly ?

 

On a low miler, I would be looking at tyre condition, flat spots from long rest periods.

The battery condition is a must concern. If your battery is sub-optimal you may experience various electrical gremlins.

Starting in winter could become a challenge.

My advise, to all owners, is ensure you keep your starter battery in tip top condition. 

I have a smart charger, which cost about the same as a new battery, well worth the expense.

 

You will need someone competent to maintain it.

Enquire what the servicing costs are.

 

I have read gearbox oil and filter changes are important.

 

Is the current owner the first UK owner ?

Ask them where they bought it.

Again, my standard advice is, no Auction Report no purchase.

It is a legal requirement for export from Japan.

Some just get lost, some deliberately !

 

The auction report will certify the 'mileage' at auction; which does not mean the value has not been clocked; but clocking in Japan is rare.

Ask for the BITMA report, although if they won't give you the Auction Report they won't give you the BITMA.

 

You can buy the BITMA report yourself.

 

Finally, find an insurer BEFORE you buy !

 

Good Luck

[BigNev]

I would second all of the above!

Look into the oil filler hole and see if it's fairly clean in there, clear or golden colour is good, but black and sludgy, or white and creamy- walk away.

If they've not done the oil, it's very unlikely to have much other maintenance. Oil goes off with age as well as miles, and lots of small journeys kill it faster, due to condensation within the engine contaminating it.

And also highly recommend a "CarVX" report especially in the absence of any import and first UK dealer sale paperwork.

That will give you its condition and mileage at its auction in Japan.

You just need the VIN number from the passenger door pillar.

If you are a little bit handy then lots of routine servicing can be done by yourself. They're not mysterious cars, they're just not an official UK car, it still has nuts and bolts holding it together! I can't figure out why some garages are afraid of JDM cars.

If it's a 2.4 it has a camchain so no belt to change, which it will be if you've posted in the correct section - the Hybrids.

Edited Wednesday at 08:14 PM by BigNev
Spotted it's in the Hybrid section so removed cambelt ref.

[Rojie]

I missed the Hybrid section, sorry; so I have moved it.