Obtaining history from OPC
Discussion
The car I bought last year privately has full service history from the same Porsche OPC from new (1995),and although the service book is fully stamped up, and all MOT's are present, the previous owner has very little in the way of actual receipts, and there are none from the owner before that. When the car was serviced recently, the service manager let me look through the copies of all work carried out on the car from new. This was interesting and confirmed mostly what I already knew about the car. However when I asked if it was possible to get copies, I was given the usual guff about the Data Protection Act, and no I couldnt. He may just have been fobbing me off of course!
At resale time it would obviously be really useful for any potential buyer to have all this information to hand, and would also assist me in selling. For instance I can see that the gearbox was rebuilt together with the clutch not long ago but there is no paper record I have that confirms this.
Has anyone had any success in getting this information that can guide me through the process?
At resale time it would obviously be really useful for any potential buyer to have all this information to hand, and would also assist me in selling. For instance I can see that the gearbox was rebuilt together with the clutch not long ago but there is no paper record I have that confirms this.
Has anyone had any success in getting this information that can guide me through the process?
youre quite lucky in that the history is still there. my stepdad's opc "upgraded systems" and all data prior to 2002 was "archived". in fact this is a misnomer since "achived" implies you can still get at it whereas in OPC speak it actually means "deleted permanently".
write a very nice letter to the previous owner thanking him/her for looking after the car so well and asking permission for the OPC to release written copies of the service records. send him/her a proforma letter so all he/she has to do is sign it, and specifically quote the data protection act in the letter, making it clear that the owner waives the right to protection.
Your OPC may then charge you reasonable costs for copies (in the NHS its 10p a sheet but with an OPC, who knows) but should not legally be able to deny you these records
write a very nice letter to the previous owner thanking him/her for looking after the car so well and asking permission for the OPC to release written copies of the service records. send him/her a proforma letter so all he/she has to do is sign it, and specifically quote the data protection act in the letter, making it clear that the owner waives the right to protection.
Your OPC may then charge you reasonable costs for copies (in the NHS its 10p a sheet but with an OPC, who knows) but should not legally be able to deny you these records
You should be able to get the history directly from Porsche (either UK or Germany). If you give them the chassis number, they should give you the build spec, and details of all work done by the network. I don't think you'll get copies of invoices, but they should give you a list of jobs.
In my experience, Porsche UK will hide behind the data protection act. I found the OPC's that had serviced my car previous to my ownership were much more helpful and confirmed the servicing had been done as per the service book. Reading wouldn't tell me anything.
I also found BMW HQ at Bracknell to be far more helpful on my sons 318iS. They gave me all the detail to substantiate the service history, any other works and any warranty work.
I have also had occassion this week to attempt to get past invoices from a Land Rover main dealer. They have provided written evidence of the work that has been done over the last 4 years but would not send the invoices due to data protection.
I also found BMW HQ at Bracknell to be far more helpful on my sons 318iS. They gave me all the detail to substantiate the service history, any other works and any warranty work.
I have also had occassion this week to attempt to get past invoices from a Land Rover main dealer. They have provided written evidence of the work that has been done over the last 4 years but would not send the invoices due to data protection.
An on-line log of OPC service work would turn around OPC workshops overnight. People would be encouraged to stick with them. Recorded against chassis number a brief detail about the work done, ie 12k service, front discs & pads, 2 rear tyres, rear anti roll bar drop link.
I know they suspended their central record for bdywork and can understand why. Possibly they don`t realise the difference in public perception between mechanical and bodywork. People are proud of the mechanical work they do to their cars.
It would also make it impossible to falsify OPC service records.
Henry
I know they suspended their central record for bdywork and can understand why. Possibly they don`t realise the difference in public perception between mechanical and bodywork. People are proud of the mechanical work they do to their cars.
It would also make it impossible to falsify OPC service records.
Henry
Hi
I got a print out of every service invoice on my 1990 911 (for the previous owner) from Porsche Edinburgh when they were Glenvarigill- about 4 years worth, no consent needed. That was in 2002. Before that the car was serviced in Glasgow, I never got round to asking them for the same courtesy..
It might be down to individuals, but they may be in less control since the dealers were 'homogenised'..
I got a print out of every service invoice on my 1990 911 (for the previous owner) from Porsche Edinburgh when they were Glenvarigill- about 4 years worth, no consent needed. That was in 2002. Before that the car was serviced in Glasgow, I never got round to asking them for the same courtesy..
It might be down to individuals, but they may be in less control since the dealers were 'homogenised'..
different dealears have different ideas. I am looking for a boxster, hunt still on.
Unfortunately i missed out on one , due to not getting there next day (but it was over 300 mile away) I called edinburgh and they confirmed car had fsh and also mentioned no warranty work as it was supplied from them.No bother at all.
However so another vehicle, supplied by leeds, called them to verify history, no help whats so ever all down to the DAta Protection. The owner called them to say can you please release information to me direct, There reply was NO afraid not.
The reason i wanted to check servicing with opc themselves, was on 2 cars i have looked at they were described as FSH but when actually looking at dates its not been within 12,000 miles or year which ever comes first.And they say FSH is essential.
When buying a car, they tell u to be careful of false stamps and invoices, well how the hell can you check when some OPC will not disclose. Is it a case that you just buy from them direct so that information is readily available. I can half see there point but all i wanted was to verify YES/NO that servicing had been carried out on the dates i had.
Unfortunately i missed out on one , due to not getting there next day (but it was over 300 mile away) I called edinburgh and they confirmed car had fsh and also mentioned no warranty work as it was supplied from them.No bother at all.
However so another vehicle, supplied by leeds, called them to verify history, no help whats so ever all down to the DAta Protection. The owner called them to say can you please release information to me direct, There reply was NO afraid not.
The reason i wanted to check servicing with opc themselves, was on 2 cars i have looked at they were described as FSH but when actually looking at dates its not been within 12,000 miles or year which ever comes first.And they say FSH is essential.
When buying a car, they tell u to be careful of false stamps and invoices, well how the hell can you check when some OPC will not disclose. Is it a case that you just buy from them direct so that information is readily available. I can half see there point but all i wanted was to verify YES/NO that servicing had been carried out on the dates i had.
Heard a good one from "Arfur Daly Bargain Cars" somewhere in Hampshire whilst getting a cheapo for the Gfriend.
I had a look at the service log of one particular heap as it was advertised with "FSH" and I spotted there were some gaping gaps in the dates.
When I queried it he said "That is FSH mate, - that's got a record of every service that car ever had".
Had to chuckle as we left....
I had a look at the service log of one particular heap as it was advertised with "FSH" and I spotted there were some gaping gaps in the dates.
When I queried it he said "That is FSH mate, - that's got a record of every service that car ever had".
Had to chuckle as we left....
Under the data protection act a dealer is not permitted to release anything with "personal information" on it. So if their service records / invoices etc have the previous owners name, address, maybe even credit/debit card number on it they could be in big trouble if they let you have a copy.
Would you want someone who now owns the car you sold 3 or 4 years ago to have your name address and card number ?
If the dealer has records for the car with no personal information on it then there's no "Data Protection Act" reason why they would not let you have a copy.
They could, of course, just not be arsed to help !!
Would you want someone who now owns the car you sold 3 or 4 years ago to have your name address and card number ?
If the dealer has records for the car with no personal information on it then there's no "Data Protection Act" reason why they would not let you have a copy.
They could, of course, just not be arsed to help !!
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