Previous owner paperwork when buying used car?
Discussion
With some manufacturers no longer providing service books, what can a buyer expect regarding paperwork from previous owner when buying a car?
For instance, take an Audi outside of the dealer network, no service book means the only proof of servicing are the invoices from various garages.
Presumably dealers won't want to pass the paperwork on, but there doesn't seem to be any guidance on what they could pass on to buyers.
For instance, take an Audi outside of the dealer network, no service book means the only proof of servicing are the invoices from various garages.
Presumably dealers won't want to pass the paperwork on, but there doesn't seem to be any guidance on what they could pass on to buyers.
SV_WDC said:
With some manufacturers no longer providing service books, what can a buyer expect regarding paperwork from previous owner when buying a car?
For instance, take an Audi outside of the dealer network, no service book means the only proof of servicing are the invoices from various garages.
Presumably dealers won't want to pass the paperwork on, but there doesn't seem to be any guidance on what they could pass on to buyers.
Dealers will not risk passing on any docs from previous owners, as it'll have £ figures on it and names plus addresses. GDPR guidance is pretty clear that anything classed as "personal" information cannot be passed on.For instance, take an Audi outside of the dealer network, no service book means the only proof of servicing are the invoices from various garages.
Presumably dealers won't want to pass the paperwork on, but there doesn't seem to be any guidance on what they could pass on to buyers.
I suspect that manufacturers:
a) want you to rely on returning to a franchised dealer who have access to the "dealers" service records and putting a premium on dealer serviced cars
b) don't give a *** about the Service history, but want you to trust in their all powerful and reassuring 4 million point check which they diligently subject all cars to
Edited by OverSteery on Thursday 8th February 15:53
Depends on the car.
BMW update the drive on board computer thing so you can access the service history on the screen while sat in the car, this only shows work by a BMW dealer or specialist with access to the right computer to update the drive.
Mercedes can print you a copy of the history with simple date, milage and what was done information. Mercedes specialists can update this system if they have a 'star' computer.
Agree its sad to loose all that history, when I sold the M135i I handed over the paperwork for every service, repair, tyre and MOT but it wasn't passed to the next owner. My Mercedes came with the print out showing it had been serviced but nothing else.
I have seen paperwork with the name and address of the owner removed but not many dealers seem to make the effort to do this?
BMW update the drive on board computer thing so you can access the service history on the screen while sat in the car, this only shows work by a BMW dealer or specialist with access to the right computer to update the drive.
Mercedes can print you a copy of the history with simple date, milage and what was done information. Mercedes specialists can update this system if they have a 'star' computer.
Agree its sad to loose all that history, when I sold the M135i I handed over the paperwork for every service, repair, tyre and MOT but it wasn't passed to the next owner. My Mercedes came with the print out showing it had been serviced but nothing else.
I have seen paperwork with the name and address of the owner removed but not many dealers seem to make the effort to do this?
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff