Full Service History? Prove it.

[Straight6DOHC]

When buying a used car, how can you see the service history? Previously, there was a stamped book. Now, there might be an app to use, but isn't that only after you have proof of ownership?
I'm about to buy a used car, and I'm insisting the salesman gives me information on it's service history. Will he be able to? He is not a main dealer.

[IanJ9375]

Most of the cars will have some form of service history on the display - for instance BMW will tell you when the service points are due next and also a history of what was done and when

[DaveH23]

Stamps in a book prove nothing.

Even for the digital service books you can get an itemised paper invoice.

[ScoobyChris]

IanJ9375 said:

Most of the cars will have some form of service history on the display - for instance BMW will tell you when the service points are due next and also a history of what was done and when

I bought an ex-company BMW from a car supermarket a few years back advertised with no service history so it was cheaper than comparable ones with FSH. I figured that given it was a company car, it should have been maintained correctly and I contacted the lease company who gave me the full history of the car (service on x date at y dealer). I then called the dealerships it had visited who were able to tell me the details of what was done at each visit so I could piece it all together.

Sadly come trade in time at a Ford dealer, my detailed spreadsheet didn't cut any mustard as "I could have just made that up" and they wanted a stamped service book only to tick that box.

Chris

[joropug]

Receipts are the best source but failing that you can call dealers to validate a SH usually.

They wont give you information but you'd hope they will validate that it actually took place.

Being too forceful up front about service history before seeing it could lead to the same situation as I found myself in - My cambelt box was forged because i asked if it had been done up front, I can still remember the long pause on the phone call while he 'checked' the book with a pen in his hand.

Cambelt snapped a couple of months later, wrote to previous owner, confirmed definitely not done and why she sold the car. I believe if i hadn't have asked on the phone the dealer wouldnt have bothered (it wasn't an expensive car).

[IanJ9375]

ScoobyChris said:

I bought an ex-company BMW from a car supermarket a few years back advertised with no service history so it was cheaper than comparable ones with FSH. I figured that given it was a company car, it should have been maintained correctly and I contacted the lease company who gave me the full history of the car (service on x date at y dealer). I then called the dealerships it had visited who were able to tell me the details of what was done at each visit so I could piece it all together.

Sadly come trade in time at a Ford dealer, my detailed spreadsheet didn't cut any mustard as "I could have just made that up" and they wanted a stamped service book only to tick that box.

Chris

You don't get a book these days - the world moved on I guess so as long as it shows on the dash display they'd have to take it today

[The Rotrex Kid]

IanJ9375 said:

ScoobyChris said:

I bought an ex-company BMW from a car supermarket a few years back advertised with no service history so it was cheaper than comparable ones with FSH. I figured that given it was a company car, it should have been maintained correctly and I contacted the lease company who gave me the full history of the car (service on x date at y dealer). I then called the dealerships it had visited who were able to tell me the details of what was done at each visit so I could piece it all together.

Sadly come trade in time at a Ford dealer, my detailed spreadsheet didn't cut any mustard as "I could have just made that up" and they wanted a stamped service book only to tick that box.

Chris

You don't get a book these days - the world moved on I guess so as long as it shows on the dash display they'd have to take it today

With lots of marques you still do get a book to be stamped.

[Pothole]

Straight6DOHC said:

Will he be able to?

HTF do we know?

[ChrisH72]

Salesman will only be able to tell you whatever came with the car when he got it.

I just bought a high mileage fiesta which had no service book. Fortunately all the receipts were still in the glove box. Technically they shouldn't have let me have them as they had the previous owners contact details on them. A lot of garages destroy old receipts now.

[steveo3002]

mine field , receipts if there ever was any get slung out , seen plenty of salesmen stamp up an empty book even at main dealers

[av185]

DaveH23 said:

Stamps in a book prove nothing.

They prove the car has been serviced if you confirm them with the dealer who will often provide a maintenance print too if asked.

[RVVUNM]

This is a subject dear to me because I will only buy a car with a fully stamped service book plus receipts. I don't mind paying good money but the relevant documents are a must. I also keep every reciept for any car I own that goes in a plastic page in an A4 lever arch file and goes with a car when I sell it. Trust me, selling privately with a full compliment of documents is the way to go.

Edited by RVVUNM on Wednesday 7th October 08:43

[joropug]

RVVUNM said:

This is a subject dear to me because I will only buy a car with a fully stamped service book plus reciepts. I don't mind paying good money but the relivent documents are a must. I also keep every reciept for any car I own that goes in a plastic page in an A4 lever arch file and goes with a car when I sell it. Trust me, selling privately with a full compliment of documents is the way to go.

Me too, but was really pissed off as the last 3 decent cars I sold with immense histories the buyer didn't even glance at it !