Garage with holding info because of Data Protection Act ?

[SimonV8ster]

Can a garage withhold service history information because of the Data Protection Act ? Would it be purely because the reciepts would have had the owner/keepers address details on them ?

Seen an old barge I'm interested in which apparantly has a full service book stamped but no receipts to back it up, all done at the same single main dealer too.

It would be a shame to miss out on the car if it turns out to be OK if I can't find out whats been done recently ?

[pimpin gimp]

If it's been done at a main dealer just give them a ring, they'll confirm what's been done.

[c32dave]

I tried this recently - vendor gave me the name of the main dealer who'd done the servicing, and name of person to speak to there. Dealer would only confirm the dates they had serviced it, but not what was done, or any advisories resulting. I took the view that the vendor's willingness to have me call the dealer suggested there were unlikely to be any horrors, which coupled with a service 500 miles ago was enough for me. I did also have the most recent service invoice which detailed all the work done at that point.

My _guess_ is that if I'd turned up in person and managed any rapport with the service dept I'd might have got a bit more out of them, but as a complete stranger on the phone that had to follow the DPA/elf and safety/prevention of terrorism act.

[Somnophore]

Should say in looking to buy it and will have it serviced with you but need to know what you've done to it in the past.

[SimonV8ster]

OK cheers