Trade-in - give them the service invoices?

[Froggy porker]

Just looking for some gems of wisdom - am visiting in the UK this weekend and took my mother along to part-ex her old Merc in for a used Polo, downsizing and all that.

The Polo is being prepared and serviced so she will go to the garage and hand over the Merc with all the relevant documents next weekend. The question is should she give them all the old service invoices with her name and address on? I'm thinking identity theft issues and all that.

If I was buying the old Merc I'd like all the paperwork, but if they don't insist on it for the part-ex why take the risk?

Opinions appreciated.

[Piersman2]

Don't. Not needed. Just the service book.

Especially as it's a dealer.

If it was a private sale then I'd pass that stuff on , but not to a dealer.

[sinizter]

How about copies with the name/address blacked out ? If you can be bothered.

That is also what I would prefer to give to a private buyer ...

[kentmotorcompany]

The next owner will have her name and address on the V5 anyway.


Let them have the invoices. If its a main dealer, they probably wont give two hoots about them, but when a trader like me gets a car in stock and all the invoices are present it really helps.

[marshalla]

Froggy porker said:

The Polo is being prepared and serviced so she will go to the garage and hand over the Merc with all the relevant documents next weekend. The question is should she give them all the old service invoices with her name and address on? I'm thinking identity theft issues and all that.

They already know who she is and where she lives from the V5. What additional info. do the service invoices contain ? What value are they to her (or you) ?

[boredofmyoldname]

Her name and address will be on the logbook anyway so the service invoices may as well be left with the car.

[sinizter]

marshalla said:

They already know who she is and where she lives from the V5. What additional info. do the service invoices contain ? What value are they to her (or you) ?

To me ... For tax purposes. They are supposed to be retained for 6 years or so I think. I would prefer to keep the originals and give copies, rather than argue with someone from HMRC (unless an accountant tells me otherwise).

[Froggy porker]

kentmotorcompany said:

If its a main dealer, they probably wont give two hoots about them, but when a trader like me gets a car in stock and all the invoices are present it really helps.

Yep - main dealer who doesn't give a monkeys. He even said "Bring the spare key if you have one but it's not a big deal".

Tax not an issue, so can give the originals. Very true what you've all said - name and address are already on the V5.

[J500ANT]

Just make sure none of her credit card slips are stapled to them.

[Seeker UK]

I leave all service invoices in the glovebox. The main dealer may not care but the next owner may appreciate them. I tend to make sure all c/card / debit card details are removed but that's about it.