History freak?

[Cotty]

Ok maybe not freak but do you keep all the history on your cars?

When I picked up my new (to me) car I asked for ALL the previous history. The dealer had to dig out the previous MOT certificates from the bin as he had binned them as he did not think anyone would want them.

On my 20ish old BMW I have the original sales receipt, every MOT certificate from new. Every service receipt, MOT passes and fails and subsequent rectification receipts. Invoices for services, new tyres, bits and pieces etc.

Do you collect history or bin stuff?

[Triumph Man]

Completely with you - the history of the car fascinates me more than anything else. For example from the Triumph I have a tax disc from 1986 (the last year it was on the road until 2008) as well as other snippets such as a parking pass for Weymouth Borough council, 1985, and then the owner doctored it for 1986, rather than presumably shelling out for a new pass! Also found the P/O's house key. As they are dead, they presumably don't want it back...

I realise the above is more to do with crap found in the car rather than actual 'history'. That again I like to keep. I found a receipt in the old Passat for a new turbo for £600 (!) Parts and labour.

[ROOODBOY]

I very much do this.

I usually end up with a huge stack of receipts, and a catalogue of photos showing repairs and various stages of my cars appearance in my ownership.

I think it's one of the things I'm borderline o.c.d. with!

[Superficial]

Collectors here.

I think keeping all history is good for both sides; as a prospective buyer it gives the impression the car has been valued and maintained well.

[skinley]

I just want to see a photo of your dinner.

[paulrussell]

I do like to keep paperwork for my car and 1 of my motorbikes. I think 1 of the previuos owners of my car liked keeping paperwork as I've got the booklets of when the car was new, 2 service invoices, 1 invoice for 2 new tyres and an invoice showing the immobiliser being taken out.

[Aviz]

If you write to the DVLA, they will send you all the info on previous owners too!

I personally have no interest, apart from the service book stamps, mot and tax. I probably would if i spent any large amounts though.

I currently have a 10 year old shed of a corsa on my drive that my brother has kindly left me. He bought it off some old woman that he crashed into, rather than pay his £1200 excess on his work van.

It has the biggest book of receipts/tax disks etc i have ever seen with it!

[Cotty]

Aviz said:

I personally have no interest, apart from the service book stamps, mot and tax. I probably would if i spent any large amounts though.

If you are still collecting service book stamps then there is probably not much history knocking about. I think is more relavent on an older car where it has not had main dealer servicing.