"Main dealer service history"

[turbo tim]

Hi all,

Am thinking about buying a BMW second hand that is advertised as having "full Main dealer service history", and I plan to check it out at my local BM dealership tomorrow.

Has anyone done this before? Is it just a simple case of taking along the Reg/Chassis/VIN no's and asking them to look it up in their computer? Does it matter that it's not the dealer in question? Do they charge for this at all?

Thanks...

[derin100]

Only thing is, some may refuse to do it if you can't prove you are the legal owner of the car I think?

Data Protection and all that sort of stuff...

[jay123]

try contacting bmw headoffice, i maybe able to confirm the cars history if dealers cant

[turbo tim]

Thanks both.

[Denis O]

First contact HQ in Bracknell and they will give you the date and dealer name/phone number for every visit the car has had to one of their dealers. Then call each dealer and they will confirm mileage and work done. Some will only let you have service info quoting data protection regarding other work but a little silver on the tongue works well on these occassions.

Pick your time to call when the garage would not be too busy.

BMW are without doubt the best when it comes to giving this information. Try getting anything from Porsche or Mercedes. It's impossible.

[blackspider]

As long as you have the chassis,reg and selling dealer the info will be given without any problem.
We do it all the time

[blackspider]

Here's a bit of info that not many people know about.
Since MOT went computorised you can now check the mot history,which will confirm mileage,vehicle,colour etc even who did it.But it will only work from the last MOT onwards(the new certificate type)So every year a car is MOTd it gets logged there.
You need the number at the top of the V5C (log book) and Reg.Then go to www.motinfo.gov.uk
This is a VOSA run site

[turbo tim]

Thanks all.

I did it the long way (phoning each dealership) and it all checked out...

...so I bought the car!!