checking independant service history?

[mrggg123]

Looking to buy a car with this. Is their anyway of checking independent service history? Im a bit paranoid and would prefer main dealer service history, but I like the car.

[morgrp]

Most invoices have a phone number on them - call the garage to check

[mrggg123]

bump

[geeks]

morgrp said:

Most invoices have a phone number on them - call the garage to check

[ikarl]

morgrp said:

Most invoices have a phone number on them - call the garage to check

[mnkiboy]

What they all said^

There's no central computer system to interogate like you might get with main dealers. Ring them and check that the invoice ties up with their logs, if they keep such a thing.

[Ennoch]

Use a proper independant and you'll likely find historic info. However, that said, in the past I know that one of the garages I used to use a bit would go off name and not reg, and they regularly spelled my name totally wrong so they couldn't find me even when I called up. Another garage I've used (a very good independant) would have all cars booked into a paper diary, and then draw up a basic invoice in excel when you came to pay. Books were stamped and invoices given, but they definitely weren't saved anywhere!