Car auction 'goers'

[rich12]

Just having a browse on BCA's website and noticed a lot of prestige cars (2-5 years old) have no service history. Is it more likely that they haven't updated the system or are there a lot that don't have any with them?

I don't mean for it to sound like a 'how long is a piece of string' question but was just surprised by the amount with no history.

[andburg]

lost manuals and cant be bothered to try and track down service history as the dealers keep this not the manufacturer

[KungFuPanda]

Sometimes when you check back on the sale catalogue closer to the date of sale, the paperwork comes in and is reflected on the information section. It's the same with V5s as well.

[T5R+]

Majority need major service and new boots.

Service history may exist but carried on outside on main dealer network.

Add in the buyers fees and you may be better off buying private or off of a forecourt.

Does not cease to amaze me how expense stock in the open sales is these days.

[JimmyConwayNW]

Sometimes it's in the glovebox and the auction company haven't spotted it

[LouD86]

Both above are very much correct. I found with a lot of commercials I purchased at auction, I had to work out the previous leasing company, or area of the previous owner and call the local dealers to get the history. THey are normally pretty accomodating

[va1o]

As above. This will probably get worse before it gets better since more manufactures like Audi and Mercedes are doing away with paper service history records.

[Roman Moroni]

va1o said:

This will probably get worse before it gets better since more manufactures like Audi and Mercedes are doing away with paper service history records.

Very much this. Quite often the bigger companies disposing of their cars (such as Jardines or Mercedes Finance) will state, via the auctioneer, that there's nothing in the service book but the buyer should get in touch with the main dealer for a print out

[Jonwm]

I've had to take my car back to the dealers at least 3 times to get the book stamped, I guess some non car people don't even check, my college has a 1 series and he has never seen the book pack so this would be one that would show as no history but it has been to bmw every time it need a service, both company cars by the way