Dealer won't share service records?
#16
Same thing here when I bought my 993 - Local car bought new at MCL and later only serviced at Weissach - I asked for the service records but same thing - the privacy law applies! The only way around it if you can locate the previous owners and ask them to sign a release form for the info from the dealers/service shops
#17
I'm Still Jenny
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Not at all. (This is probably attributable to the cultural difference between living in Hawaii and the Northeast. LOL)
Just having a hard time understanding why a dealer should be expected to provide this information to someone off the street who is looking to buy a car from a third party-- that is, which the dealer isn't even selling.
Just having a hard time understanding why a dealer should be expected to provide this information to someone off the street who is looking to buy a car from a third party-- that is, which the dealer isn't even selling.
#19
Burning Brakes
If you are paying the selling dealer to perform the Pre-purchase mechanical inspection - you should have some negotiating leverage to see the records with the name of the customer blacked out. I've had that done on 2 occaisions with Porsche dealers.
Maybe Rennlist member Alfie - IRA.com can chime in here...you might PM him.
Maybe Rennlist member Alfie - IRA.com can chime in here...you might PM him.
#20
Doesn't matter that the dealer not providing the records happens to be the dealer selling the car. The records are between the person who purchased the service and the servicing entity. Period. Their business isn't anyone else's business no matter how one slices it or how bad one wants it or how ironic/stupid it seems. However, if the dealer was smart, he'd be on the horn with the PO to get the PO's approval.
#21
I'm Still Jenny
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Rennlist Member
Jim - it depends on whether or not the person who traded the car in to the dealer had copies of the records anyway. If they did, no reason the dealer can't share. I suppose it's different if the car was serviced at the dealer by owner 1, owner 2 bought without records, traded it in to dealer with only 2's reords. Then they can't share 1's history.
#22
Weathergirl
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
We're not talking about medical records here. The records are for the car and if you are the current owner of the car, there's no reason for the dealer to withhold info about YOUR car. Confidentiality--gimme a break.
#23
Addict
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Doesn't matter that the dealer not providing the records happens to be the dealer selling the car. The records are between the person who purchased the service and the servicing entity. Period. Their business isn't anyone else's business no matter how one slices it or how bad one wants it or how ironic/stupid it seems. However, if the dealer was smart, he'd be on the horn with the PO to get the PO's approval.
#24
The dealer can print a vehicle history out of their system(as opposed to copies of the individual repair orders). The cusotmer info only appears on teh first page. Put a sticky on that make a copy and have it with the vehicle.
THere is nothing secret in that. the person who paid for the services has sold the car at this point so why would they care. I would at least hope the dealer would have it available for inspection when you come in to inspect and or buy the car.
When I bought my wife's MB (we bought it from some friends), I knew the car had been serviced, knew the dealership went and asked them for the records. They told me they could not print them after 90 days.
THere is nothing secret in that. the person who paid for the services has sold the car at this point so why would they care. I would at least hope the dealer would have it available for inspection when you come in to inspect and or buy the car.
When I bought my wife's MB (we bought it from some friends), I knew the car had been serviced, knew the dealership went and asked them for the records. They told me they could not print them after 90 days.
#25
Jim - it depends on whether or not the person who traded the car in to the dealer had copies of the records anyway. If they did, no reason the dealer can't share. I suppose it's different if the car was serviced at the dealer by owner 1, owner 2 bought without records, traded it in to dealer with only 2's reords. Then they can't share 1's history.
If they know that the owner no longer has the car, many mechanics may give the new owner (or prospective buyer) some general information verbally and answer a specific question or two, but it's unlikely that they'd even let you peek at the records without permission. Talking about the scrupulous ones, of course.
#26
I'm Still Jenny
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
If the PO gives service records to the dealer with the car, that means that he forfeits the confidentiality. He is essentially giving those records to the dealership, and the potential/future owner.
#27
Once again, the person that paid for the service owns the records. No one else. He is the owner. Period. The owner is highly likely to release the records if a legitimate party asks, but he can do what he wishes. One can feel any way one wants to about that, but one's feelings won't change the fundamental fact that the owner of the records owns the records.
#30
For that reason (and also so he has the history), my mechanic has a copy of the copy I retreived so that we each now have a copy. I don't want to have to go through the process of re-establishing the service history again!