Is this Bernina worth it?

[mondaytosunday]

I found my much looked for sewing machine on a second hand site. A Bernina 830 with lots of feet, extension table etc. Obviously decades old but advertised as fully working. I bought it and drove an hour to collect it. They were happy for me to try it and unfortunately the stitches didn’t work - the thread picked up the bobbin thread at the start but they didn’t make stitches. It also made a higher pitched noise as well as the usual running noise, The thread came out of the needle all the time (we tried changing the needle and adjusting the tension). The seller said she hadn’t used it in about three years and couldn’t remember when it was last serviced. The sale was cancelled.
So, it’s a good price for what’s included and I’m wondering if it’s worth offering a reduced amount and getting it serviced and risking that it’s a relatively minor issue? Has anyone had a similar issue or know how much it is to service an old Bernina (London)? I’m also thinking there may not be parts readily available for this machine?

About 100 pounds I think to service. Max. How much was it?
I have a Bernina which is now about 7 years old. Not serviced. (Oops) But running well. It was worth it. It's a better machine than I am a sewer.
Parts should be relatively easy. May need to import from Europe for more specialised bits.

Thank you. It’s under £150 and is from the 1970s, so a mechanical machine.

My mum still has her Bernina from the 1970s and it still works. I got mine serviced by a place in Kentish Town and it is going fine 15 years on.

Unless you have a highly recommended and reputable sewing machine repairer local to you I would be extremely cautious.

A service is one thing but actual repairs can be more costly. Make enquiries before going back to seller so you have an idea of costs you might incur. To give you an idea a simple repair for a tension disc cost me £75. It is a higher spec machine gifted to me by my late FiL.

Thanks everyone. We rang up a local sewing shop and they just happened to have a Bernina 830 come in as a trade in. As new (if you can say that about a 40 year old machine) - it even has the original styrofoam packing in the carrying case! It ran so much better than the machine we saw through eBay, and it cones with all the right bits and accessories plus a one year warranty. Decent price too - £350. Obviously more than eBay where they are from £150 up to £695 for a second hand retail shop but this one is in perfect working order so she’s gone for that.

I think Bernina's are overrated to be honest. I have one that my mum failed to "bond" with (and I'm sorry but if you're relying on people "bonding" with your technology - you have ease of use issues) and while it sews beautifully - it's a diva-esque pain in the arse and seems to have a fetish for the sewing machine repair guy with the random bits that keep on acting up on it!

If I was spending the cash she spent on it (which was a number with lots of zeros in) - I'd buy a decent Janome and possibly an embroidery machine or overlocker as well.

Huge fan of vintage machines though - I have a motor powered Singer 15 and a hand crank Singer 66 which will just point and laugh at stuff that modern machines struggle with and ask for a proper challenge.

I love my Bernina 830 record, they are very sought after machines. My H bought it for me about a year ago for my birthday and it had just been serviced.

My 830 belonged to my grandma who was a tailor. It hasn't been serviced for at least 15 years but I use it frequently for all sorts of projects.

I couldn't believe the price of them on eBay when I looked recently (the case is breaking and I dont trust it to carry the super heavy machine!).

Omgoodness, I used this machine in my seeing classes, when the college shut down I asked to buy one but they refused and apparently they all went on a skip, totally ruthless!

Sewing, not seeing!