RX400h Spark Plugs

[Mr Vlad]

Hello again good folks. I'm seriously looking at getting a RX400h and I've been looking at one with 120k miles on but its Lexus service history starts December 2013. Car is a 2007. So its first six years of life is a mystery but since December 2013 its been in the care of Lexus Bradford till November 2019. 

I've registered this car on mylexus (the dealer selling the car gave me the numbers needed from the V5) and have seen the comprehensive service history including timing belt done in late 2017 @108k miles and new discs and pads for the front @ 88k miles with both front and rear discs and pads @ 122k miles. However I have a concern in that theirs no record of the spark plugs being changed. I know its a difficult job costing circa £350. 

Should I buy this car or leave it?

I dont know the chances of a compromise with the selling dealer with him contributing half. I know he said if he got the job done he'd have to add the cost to the price of the car.

Your opinions please.

[Herbie]

There's no denying that it's a time-consuming job but you don't want to be paying Lexus labour charges of around £130+VAT per hour, which is what the dealer would be charging, so I'd say buy the car and pay a good reputable garage to do the plugs.

[Barry14UK]

If the plugs have not been changed recently, which with regular Lexus servicing they should have been done (again) at 120K and you should be able to check this back with Lexus servicing garage, they should be done to optimize performance and perhaps cause misfire etc at inconvenient time.  So if not done a good independent for Lexus cars could give price for this.  Always worth negotiating with sellers who will be particularly keen to turn over stock at this time.  

 

[Mr Vlad]

Yes Barry plugs should be changed as you say if looked after by a Lexus dealer but between 2013 and 2019 80k miles to 122k miles no sign of a plug change according to mylexus check. I registered the car im interested in thanks to the dealer giving me the necessary V5 numbers. Ill be phoning Bradford on Monday to confirm either way. I've posted on a motor garage site for a quote to change plugs just to see the price difference if any.

[Mr Vlad]

Well I've found out that Labour charge inc vat for lexus to change plugs is £300. Not heard back on plug price but genuine Toyota plug set just over £50. From what I've seen online its a pig of a job so I suppose £300 is a fair price.