BMW iDrive service history - how does it work?

[East_Temps]

Hi All,

I would really appreciate some help in understanding how BMW vehicles maintain their service history without a log book.

For background, I'm in the process of purchasing a 65 plate X3 under 30k miles still under warranty. The only previous service appears to have been done at 19k miles which is confirmed in the iDrive system. The seller tells me that log books are no longer in use and the trip computer should serve as irrefutable proof that the car was serviced. I have asked for more information such as when and where (which I don't believe to be unreasonable questions) but have been told that it's "like finding needle in a haystack".

I rang BMW and their only record was some work done at a BMW main dealer. It turns out this main dealer handled a recall and a valve replacement in 2017 but has no record of ever servicing this vehicle.

My understanding is that only BMW main dealers or specialists can enter the service record in the iDrive system. BMW did confirm this on the phone. So the fact that the computer system does indicate a previous service makes me think it was carried out properly but this didn't get logged on the BMW system (???). I don't know how likely it is for someone to 'hijack' the iDrive system.. probably unlikely?

As a last resort, I asked the seller to take the key fob to a BMW main dealer and see if the previous service history can be extracted. Is this likely to yield a different result to the BMW database accessed via the vehicle history helpline?

From an independent pre purchase check, the car was reported to have OSF brake disc scoring and slight wear on outside edge to OSF tyre. I believe these are minor issues and could probably ask the dealer to carry out a full service and have brake replacement thrown in. However, I'm not sure whether to proceed with the purchase at this stage given their inability to provide any details on the service history.

The seller is also insisting that I've overreacted and this is a non issue. Truth be told I'm satisfied with the condition of the car but just have reservations about this unverifiable history, partly due to resale value but also the discomfort of not knowing who did the service.

I guess if the iDrive information is indeed irrefutable proof then I have nothing to worry about?

Many thanks for reading, appreciate any insights/suggestions.

[CarsOrBikes]

if you can't get evidence of the service, considering these are minimum intervals anyway which is bad enough, move on. There're thousands of other cars.

who cares if the seller thinks you're over reacting, let them sell it to someone else.

[Earthdweller]

I have a 15 plate X3

It has no service book, which I don’t like.

It shows the service record in the idrive with all the work completed in a submenu. It also shows the dealer number where it was carried out, which can then be contacted I suppose to confirm the work that was done

My dealer also gave me a paper service sheet which I have retained as a record

My first service was at 18k and second came up at 34k

Edited by Earthdweller on Tuesday 27th February 12:01

[Smuler]

East_Temps said:

Hi All,

I would really appreciate some help in understanding how BMW vehicles maintain their service history without a log book.

For background, I'm in the process of purchasing a 65 plate X3 under 30k miles still under warranty. The only previous service appears to have been done at 19k miles which is confirmed in the iDrive system. The seller tells me that log books are no longer in use and the trip computer should serve as irrefutable proof that the car was serviced. I have asked for more information such as when and where (which I don't believe to be unreasonable questions) but have been told that it's "like finding needle in a haystack".

I rang BMW and their only record was some work done at a BMW main dealer. It turns out this main dealer handled a recall and a valve replacement in 2017 but has no record of ever servicing this vehicle.

My understanding is that only BMW main dealers or specialists can enter the service record in the iDrive system. BMW did confirm this on the phone. So the fact that the computer system does indicate a previous service makes me think it was carried out properly but this didn't get logged on the BMW system (???). I don't know how likely it is for someone to 'hijack' the iDrive system.. probably unlikely?

As a last resort, I asked the seller to take the key fob to a BMW main dealer and see if the previous service history can be extracted. Is this likely to yield a different result to the BMW database accessed via the vehicle history helpline?

From an independent pre purchase check, the car was reported to have OSF brake disc scoring and slight wear on outside edge to OSF tyre. I believe these are minor issues and could probably ask the dealer to carry out a full service and have brake replacement thrown in. However, I'm not sure whether to proceed with the purchase at this stage given their inability to provide any details on the service history.

The seller is also insisting that I've overreacted and this is a non issue. Truth be told I'm satisfied with the condition of the car but just have reservations about this unverifiable history, partly due to resale value but also the discomfort of not knowing who did the service.

I guess if the iDrive information is indeed irrefutable proof then I have nothing to worry about?

Many thanks for reading, appreciate any insights/suggestions.

I'd agree with what u/name cars and bikes says. Any attitude from seller or doubts, just walk.

BUT I'd say it's likely this X3 being less than 2.5 years old has only needed one service at 19k miles.

And I think it's likely the main BMW advice line doesn't have every record. I have experience of this.

what you really need is an invoice from BMW or the servicing garage if you're doubting the legitimacy of the 19k miles service.

Maybe find out from the seller the dealer who did the service as it may not be the same dealer who did the recall.

If the seller is a trader who took car in part/ex or whatever, maybe ask the previous owner : details on V5?

Certainly getting the key read at a local BMW dealer could yield the information.

these are options, but don't buy unless 100% happy. seller should be treating you with total respect.

[East_Temps]

Earthdweller said:

I have a 15 plate X3

It has no service book, which I don’t like.

It shows the service record in the idrive with all the work completed in a submenu. It also shows the dealer number where it was carried out, which can then be contacted I suppose to confirm the work that was done

My dealer also gave me a paper service sheet which I have retained as a record

My first service was at 18k and second came up at 34k

Edited by Earthdweller on Tuesday 27th February 12:01

What you have described is far more detailed than the info stored in the iDrive for car in question! Basically there is one entry of mileage, maybe a date but certainly nothing in submenu or dealer contact details. The seller wants me to believe that individual service status on OK is sufficient evidence of full service history.

I also discovered that the main dealer did the repair / recall work at 19k miles so most likely the service history is actually from the visit to this main dealer. Effectively the car has no service history as far as I’m concerned.

The seller doesn’t want to take the vehicle or key fob to a main dealer. So I guess that is that.

[aeropilot]

East_Temps said:

The seller doesn’t want to take the vehicle or key fob to a main dealer. So I guess that is that.

Yep....... walk away.

If it had been serviced at a main dealer, the details would be in the fob, and there would be no issue, so likely either not been serviced or not serviced at a main dealer.

[sasquartch]

When a main dealer (or an indy who subscibes to the BMW service) does a service he will upload the details to the BMW central system

The idrive history will be cleared then reloaded from the central computer

The idrive should have an entry for each service with sub menus for each item replaced, eg there will be an entry for oil, another for air filter etc

It IS possible to update the idrive yourself (there are utilities out there if you search) and I have done this myself to record my own interim oil changes

However, once it returns to BMW any changes I have made will no longer be present due to the idrive being wiped and reloaded from the central system, therefore I would have to reload these myself

Therefore the idrive is NOT guaranteed to be accurate

If it's definitely all on BMW's central system you can be sure it's OK, if not then it's unclear (but still could be OK) unless you have a receipt

[ChrisC-Berks]

If BMW UK say it's not in their system for a service it almost certianly hasn't been into a main dealer for a service it's as simple as that.

[crankedup]

Had the same thing when I was looking to purchase, private sale and seller tells me about service record verbally. On further enquiry to the BMW service garage they had no records of the car being serviced in 39000 mile distance covered.
I walked away and so should the OP. imo

I really do dislike the service system on BMW but at least the indy I use backs the work completed on paper as well as electronically.

[Earthdweller]

East_Temps said:

Earthdweller said:

I have a 15 plate X3

It has no service book, which I don’t like.

It shows the service record in the idrive with all the work completed in a submenu. It also shows the dealer number where it was carried out, which can then be contacted I suppose to confirm the work that was done

My dealer also gave me a paper service sheet which I have retained as a record

My first service was at 18k and second came up at 34k

Edited by Earthdweller on Tuesday 27th February 12:01

What you have described is far more detailed than the info stored in the iDrive for car in question! Basically there is one entry of mileage, maybe a date but certainly nothing in submenu or dealer contact details. The seller wants me to believe that individual service status on OK is sufficient evidence of full service history.

I also discovered that the main dealer did the repair / recall work at 19k miles so most likely the service history is actually from the visit to this main dealer. Effectively the car has no service history as far as I’m concerned.

The seller doesn’t want to take the vehicle or key fob to a main dealer. So I guess that is that.

In the menu you should find the following

[Earthdweller]

[Earthdweller]

On there is the date and the dealer number complete with what they have done to it

A quick call to BMW would reveal the dealer and a quick call to them would confirm or otherwise

If the seller won’t show you those screens or give you the dealer details I’d not only walk I’d run away

[Earthdweller]

In my case 08730 is the BMW main dealer that serviced my car and the date and actions are quite clear

I also got a printed service sheet as well with the dealers details

If it hasn’t got that I’d say it’s hooky

[Earthdweller]

Anecdotally of course, there are tales of cheap lease vehicles doing far more miles than the contract and then being clocked back before their first MOT

Just as a thought if the history doesn’t match .. most of these ( mine included) came with the 5 year service plan

The ones that didn’t were mainly those that originally started out as rental cars .. so if it has had more than one owner I’d be checking who had it previously to the seller

[East_Temps]

Brilliant Earthdweller. Very clear now and I can’t thank you enough!

As it turns out, the 19k service that I was told about is a guesstimate. Basically there is no service history in the iDrive! The seller relied on the estimated next service in 8k miles to back out when the first service was most likely carried out.

I am walking away ofc. Feel relieved and just glad the dozen or so phone calls / hours spent researching have at least given me the confidence to ask the right questions next time.

[Buster73]

I’ve got my 5 Series on a service plan.

All the services are listed on the I drive effort , however I’ve also got check lists / invoices at zero value when I’ve picked the car up .

Bearing in mind the last service wasn’t logged by the BMW dealer and had to go back to be entered which was a minor thing in fairness.

The receptionist tried to convince me that as it wasn’t logged on my car it was logged on their system anyway but I’d rather have it done correctly.

I’m glad you’ve walked away , as someone already stated there are plenty of cars to choose from , your money your choice.

[Earthdweller]

East_Temps said:

Brilliant Earthdweller. Very clear now and I can’t thank you enough!

As it turns out, the 19k service that I was told about is a guesstimate. Basically there is no service history in the iDrive! The seller relied on the estimated next service in 8k miles to back out when the first service was most likely carried out.

I am walking away ofc. Feel relieved and just glad the dozen or so phone calls / hours spent researching have at least given me the confidence to ask the right questions next time.

No problem glad to help

Hope you find a good one


They are awesome cars .. probably the best all round car BMW make

[troull88]

I just checked the service history of a used BMW 320d and on the last service it showed 0000 and not BMW next to it, instead of the usual 08360 BMW for the previous services recorded. Any idea why would that show "0000"?

[rayyan171]

We have the CCC iDrive system (older 1st gen) and it gives key service items such as fluids, brake pads and MOT, as well as complete vehicle checks, on top of oil changes. No filters etc. on there. We have a service booklet which gets stamped by the dealer.

[sasquartch]

If it has 00000 as the dealer number this means it has been done by an Indy but possibly still recorded on BMW's central system

It's easy to enter whatever you want on the idrive (I have done it, you only need a 10 quid cable and a laptop) so the only real proof of history is receipts and confirmation from the garage they've actually done it