Been sold a FSH car with no FSH, what now?
Discussion
Last week I bought a 2011 BMW which was advertised as having FSH (full service history). The salesman also confirmed it had FSH so I bought the car.
A few days later I was looking through the papererwork and in the service book services were missing, at times 3 or 4 years between services. What do I now do? I like the car but now a bit concerned about its reliability. Can I return the car for a refund, or ask for some money off? Any other options available?
A few days later I was looking through the papererwork and in the service book services were missing, at times 3 or 4 years between services. What do I now do? I like the car but now a bit concerned about its reliability. Can I return the car for a refund, or ask for some money off? Any other options available?
Phone the dealer and find out for yourself, the options they give you other than keeping it will be your options without going legal.
I imagine they will say it does have full service history. Their definition being it has a full history of every service the car has had. The fact that the car hasn't been serviced for every year or at the specified mileage interval doesn't mean the car doesn't have a full service history to them. I think this covers them in terms of misrepresentation etc. but I am not aware of the contrary being successfully argued in court.
There is a thread running that I saw the other day on this very topic, what a dealer classes as FSH and what a buyer classes it as. The best thing to do is of course satisfy yourself of the service history the car has before committing to buy it.
I imagine they will say it does have full service history. Their definition being it has a full history of every service the car has had. The fact that the car hasn't been serviced for every year or at the specified mileage interval doesn't mean the car doesn't have a full service history to them. I think this covers them in terms of misrepresentation etc. but I am not aware of the contrary being successfully argued in court.
There is a thread running that I saw the other day on this very topic, what a dealer classes as FSH and what a buyer classes it as. The best thing to do is of course satisfy yourself of the service history the car has before committing to buy it.
This whole advertised "FSH" thing is a massive con, as per my thread the other day. I insist the dealers tell me the recorded service dates and mileages before wasting my time visiting now.
That's not to say that the car will be unreliable without a FSH (and may have been serviced anyway, just not recorded). But...chances are you're paying more for the lower risk...so you want that FSH.
That's not to say that the car will be unreliable without a FSH (and may have been serviced anyway, just not recorded). But...chances are you're paying more for the lower risk...so you want that FSH.
Al U said:
I imagine they will say it does have full service history. Their definition being it has a full history of every service the car has had.
I know where you are coming from but how would they know they had details of every service it had? If only had one service invoice from 2019 on a ten year old car they'd honestly call it FSH? And charge the same price?FSH clearly means it's been serviced in line with the manufacturers schedule and if I was the OP I'd be returning it. Huge difference between a car that's been looked after and one that got huge gaps in the history.
Mr Spoon said:
I keep saying this. Collecting stamps in a book is a hobby for many. Buy on condition. You will never know a cars history unless it's one you own.
Exactly this. I've bought 1 owner cars with FSH that have been absolute nails & my other half is currently running around in a 2012 TT that's had 5 owners and had no paperwork with it whatsoever and its been absolutely fine.Don't get me wrong I have been annoyed arriving at dealerships to check the history file to find gaps. But I have never taken the dealers word it has FSH without checking the books/receipts myself? Why would you not spend 60 seconds doing this before handing over money?
The dealer is wrong to have labelled it as FSH but personally I think buyers should take accountability too on things like this.
I viewed a 65,000 mile 530d that was serviced at 10,000 miles and 40,000 miles. Advertised as FSH. It also had bulges in the tyres and threads showing, at a garage. Ever since then I always ask when the services were.
Also stamps = worthless. My friend worked in a small garage and had a draw full of stamps for each manufacturer. Receipts are the crown jewel and if you ever aren't sure about their authenticity call the dealers and check.
As it happens, I thought the first 3 services were missing on my Mercedes in terms of the paperwork - often the case now of course with GDPR and no stamp books on later Mercedes. Called up Mercedes who confirmed they had been done by them and I picked up new print outs at the dealer.
I have bought one car with no receipts but a stamped book - Only car that had forged history and the cam belt subsequently snapped.
The dealer is wrong to have labelled it as FSH but personally I think buyers should take accountability too on things like this.
I viewed a 65,000 mile 530d that was serviced at 10,000 miles and 40,000 miles. Advertised as FSH. It also had bulges in the tyres and threads showing, at a garage. Ever since then I always ask when the services were.
Also stamps = worthless. My friend worked in a small garage and had a draw full of stamps for each manufacturer. Receipts are the crown jewel and if you ever aren't sure about their authenticity call the dealers and check.
As it happens, I thought the first 3 services were missing on my Mercedes in terms of the paperwork - often the case now of course with GDPR and no stamp books on later Mercedes. Called up Mercedes who confirmed they had been done by them and I picked up new print outs at the dealer.
I have bought one car with no receipts but a stamped book - Only car that had forged history and the cam belt subsequently snapped.
Chrishum said:
Why wouldn’t you check the paperwork before handing over money? Or at the very least before leaving the dealership on collection day?
Exactly this it's not a new thing & has been covered many a time on PH, you being a PH member must have seen this & should know to check all paperwork.Mrinsignia said:
Last week I bought a 2011 BMW which was advertised as having FSH (full service history). The salesman also confirmed it had FSH so I bought the car.
Is this him?Recently traded in our 2011 car with the salesman telling us it was worth 1k less because it didn't have a stamped service history.
It has a 3" thick folder of every receipt since it was 3mths old. All Toyota service parts/oil/accessories with all dates/mileages recorded.
"Yes it's in outstanding condition, but..."
To address the issue, if its running smoothly and is in good overall condition you probably have nothing to worry about.
Told Mr Bean that the reason our car was in such good condition was because it had never seen the inside of a garage. He ddn't seem to appreciate the irony.
Edited by 5s Alive on Friday 20th May 20:30
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