Buying Without A Service Book
08-20-2002, 12:37 AM
#1
Racer
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Buying Without A Service Book
Hello all,
I am thinking of buying 911/993 1996.
It has only 15.000 miles on it. And it seems the car is in great shape. But the seller (private person) doesn't have the maintenance book (he is a second owner of the car). He states that all Porsche dealerships have a computer database with service histories. And mantainance history of the car can be easily reused for review if I want to. Low mileage is one of the main reason why i consider that particular car for purchase. But missing service book makes me think twice before i make a final decision. Would you please guys suggest me your opinions. Could the Porsche dealership computer database be a substitute for the service book? How reliable is that information. If in future I would have to sell this car how difficult it can be without the service book? Would absence of the service book stop you from buying car even if it appears to be in good shape?
Can a low mileage of the car be questiaale without the revice book?
Thanks for your suggestions!
I am thinking of buying 911/993 1996.
It has only 15.000 miles on it. And it seems the car is in great shape. But the seller (private person) doesn't have the maintenance book (he is a second owner of the car). He states that all Porsche dealerships have a computer database with service histories. And mantainance history of the car can be easily reused for review if I want to. Low mileage is one of the main reason why i consider that particular car for purchase. But missing service book makes me think twice before i make a final decision. Would you please guys suggest me your opinions. Could the Porsche dealership computer database be a substitute for the service book? How reliable is that information. If in future I would have to sell this car how difficult it can be without the service book? Would absence of the service book stop you from buying car even if it appears to be in good shape?
Can a low mileage of the car be questiaale without the revice book?
Thanks for your suggestions!
08-20-2002, 01:42 AM
#2
Technical Specialist
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Rennlist
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Having a stamped service book on a newer 911 is nice, and may be important to some. However, I would offer two suggestions: First, run a Carfax (www.carfax.com)to see if anything odd exists (will cost you $15-$20). Second, what is the condition of the receipt file? Are there dealer or other receipts to substantiate maintenance or other service? If the receipts substantiate the service, the missing book may be less important.
You could try calling the dealer to see if they would print you off a record of the service on it shown in the Porsche computer. If not, you could ask what it shows, and jot it down.
If you're uncomfortable, keep looking. There are more than that specific 911 with low mileage out there.
You could try calling the dealer to see if they would print you off a record of the service on it shown in the Porsche computer. If not, you could ask what it shows, and jot it down.
If you're uncomfortable, keep looking. There are more than that specific 911 with low mileage out there.
08-20-2002, 07:07 AM
#3
Track Day
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it is probably ok but surely if you were selling a relatively high value 993 and all you had to do was get a service history from Porsche, you would do it!
personally i would walk away or get a big discount after having it checked.
nice car though..
personally i would walk away or get a big discount after having it checked.
nice car though..
08-20-2002, 11:38 AM
#4
King of Cool
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Yep,
you can get the service records from the dealer.
I did that with my 993, first they printed all the service records from their computer and then I had the service book stamped.
Call the dealer and give the WIN number, they'll tell you what has been done to it.
you can get the service records from the dealer.
I did that with my 993, first they printed all the service records from their computer and then I had the service book stamped.
Call the dealer and give the WIN number, they'll tell you what has been done to it.
