Buying a 1 year old house without Survey

[Elasticity]

I'm currently in the process of purchasing a 1ish year old new-build end terrace property and am considering whether I should bother with a survey?

The property will have NHBC insurance for the next 8.5 years

Visually everything from the outside still looks immaculate, interior also spotless, no cracks or anything. Only thing I noticed is that front door/frame has warped slightly so can be stiff to open when the sun is on it (have a similar thing with the back door at the property I currently rent a room in).

Have seen evidence of the boiler installation and electrics testing and sign off.

Should I bother with a survey? Reading on old threads here and on MSE relating to fairly new houses (not as new as this) there seems to be mixed views. Some say what is the point seeing as you have no legal claim against the surveyor if they miss something. I imagine from immaculate condition of the property and the age the report is likely to be clean anyway.

Thoughts?

I wouldn't buy without the survey. My experience is that newer houses in the UK are often very badly built compared to older houses and so definitely need a survey. And while in theory NHBC insurance is there to sort out the problems, in reality it's not a quick and easy road to go down and is best avoided if possible. It's quite easy to cover up problems in a house on a temporary basis - you don't want to cut this corner and then find yourself the subject of a story in the Daily Fail about your shoddy new build falling down around you...

Do you know why the sellers are selling? Personally i'd get a survey done for piece of mind.

I would never buy without a survey. If you are getting a mortgage the lenders will insist on it anyway AFAIK.
It's not what you can see, it's what you can't. I know surveyors always cover their asses, but the report can be very illuminating.

I've heard of more problems with new builds than older houses, I'd definitely get a full survey done 👍

@Lucisky Lender has done their own valuation (not a survey). They don't insist on surveys.

@SittingAround1 Sellers are selling because the vendor is supposed to be moving in with his partner and buying a property with them.

What level of survey to get? I've looked at a local firm and they're charging from £420 for condition report (recommended for properties under 30 years), from £510 for homebuyers report and from £954 for full building survey. They all seem pricey especially given the condition report is so basic.

Homebuyers report booked for £360

Kind of hopeful it will find some issues so I can haggle the purchase price down, is that bad?

Yes - you offer what it's worth to you and the seller accepts in good faith. It is caveat emptor when buying a house so you should always pay for a survey.