Service Records

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Even with CPO, I would not even look at the vehicle *before* getting the real dealer service records. The CarFax records just don't cut it for me if I am purchasing 30K+ vehicle. Obviously, when I am in the market for under $5K vehicle, it would be rare to have the complete records but having them would seal the deal.


All my cars were CPO cars..All had service records..I also had them all checked out thoroughly..I would never buy a car without service records yet I see people right here doing it all the time..If you buy a car without service records you deserve what you get.

You should be able to get service records for any car..My friend has 7 kids and he got all of them used Police Interceptors for their first car over the years..He paid an average of 1500 bucks for each car which had between 100-160K miles on it..He was able to get service records for each and every car..There were maintained a lot better then a private owner car.

 

[SteveSRT8]

No offense here, but that ^^^ is a sweeping generalization.

I have bought a ton of used cars at auctions with NO RECORDS. Some were gems, some were not. Relying on papers alone may not be the best idea.

Some very nice looking cars I purchased from private owners were loaded with paperwork but were 'bad' cars. It goes both ways.

Once you buy enough cars you realize that every used car is a [luck of the draw] and the dice are just a-rollin'...

 

[01rangerxl]

I agree you can get a bad car with lots of receipts, but that's why you have to look at the papers. If the car has lots of maintenance related receipts it's probably a good buy. If it has receipts for head gaskets and a transmission, probably best to avoid it.

 

[rjundi]

The only real important service records on a vehicle are:

Timing belt if applicable
(automatic) transmission fluid changes at some interval
oil change records

The rest if neglected can be "caught" up without serious consequences on overall longevity or expense to repair.

 

[doitmyself]

So, you guys that think its so important to hand over all the service records to a potential buyer: are you saying that you volunteer to disclose ALL past problems to the buyer before/without them asking?

Without being dishonest or deceitful (it's a fine line), I generally follow the "don't ask, don't tell policy", within moral limits, obviously. For instance, if I had a front bumper replaced and there was no other damage and it was not detectable, I would not volunteer that info unless asked.

It's buyer beware when I buy a used vehicle, AND, to some extent, when I sell one. My fault is that I tend to be an honest person. Again, its a fine line.

I will show people my general maintenance records, but I don't give these personal records away with the vehicle. Its a hunk of metal, not a family member.

The only argument for this record exchange I would consider is for a high end, enthusiast type, or collector car.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I have sold quite a few cars private party and trade in, and I have yet to see anyone show interest in my service records.

I price them right and ignore the low ballers!

Exactly on all counts! When I sold my Trailblazer I had several people look at it, and NOT ONE asked how often I changed the oil - much less ask to see the records.


Yup +1 Ive had the service records for several autos i had for years and when i sold them private party.. buyers cared less.. they looked at how clean they were, scratched up, dinged, ect.. most cared about miliage.. a couple looked under the hoods.. 90% looked at me stupid when i asked if they wanted to look closely at the service records..

Nowadays, i have a log book i keep in my garage, everything thats done (by me or a shop) gets penned into my log book.. Future buyers are welcome to look at my book.. but im planning to keep my stuff long enuff that future buyers probably wont care..

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
The only real important service records on a vehicle are:

Timing belt if applicable
(automatic) transmission fluid changes at some interval
oil change records

The rest if neglected can be "caught" up without serious consequences on overall longevity or expense to repair.


Green coolant can go bad after a couple of years, leading to costly repairs; newer fluids are longer lived but not forever lived. Not sure if that can be "caught up" w/o damage. Brake fluid flushes? Transfer case and rear diff (if applicable)? Those are probably ok though.

 

[D189379]

Service records are overrated. It's usually pretty obvious if a car has been taken care of or not. A mechanical inspection will identify anything else that isn't so obvious.

It's never been a problem for me, buying or selling.

 

[supton]

My last test drive took 30 minutes before the problem showed up (test drive of at least 45 minutes). Rest of vehicle looked just fine, no mechanical issues, any and all recent work would have masked any missing maintenance clues. Yet this particular problem would have cost $300-$3k for repairs, maybe more. Not sure an inspection would have caught that; maybe my example is just the exception to the rule.

I'm starting to think it's just too much of a gamble to buy anything over three years old. Of course, it costs too much to flippantly buy anything that new...

 

[4x4chevydude]

I track all my services on my cars on an excel chart for my knowledge and to any future prospects of the car

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: D189379
Service records are overrated. It's usually pretty obvious if a car has been taken care of or not. A mechanical inspection will identify anything else that isn't so obvious.

It's never been a problem for me, buying or selling.


I feel the same way. I kept service record for warranty, fortunately I never had to use them. But now I just don't see the point for this hassle. I only write down the mileage for OCI's for my own record. I don't keep receipts for oil and filters because these are bough for several OCI's. I don't bother with recording ATF flushes, coolant changes, brake pad replacements etc. because in most cases it won't bring top dollar anyway when it comes to selling something that is 10+ years old.

If the potential buyer can't tell the difference between a well kept car and a neglected one, they don't have to buy it.

 

[Kestas]

I've sold a handful of cars. Sometimes the buyer really appreciates the records, others don't seem to care.

I wonder if the people that don't care simply don't want to acknowledge something that isn't in their negotiating favor, but may otherwise appreciate it.

 

[rjundi]

My brother fully neglects maintenance on his vehicles except for oil changes. It actually has worked out fine as his Pathfinder runs strong still with 210k miles.

If you were looking they look impeccable as he details them inside/out often. I think he would have an easier sell than the average car with service records due to appearance.

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^He will.

I've purchased a lot of cars strictly to resell. A sparkling clean one always sells quickly.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Even with CPO, I would not even look at the vehicle *before* getting the real dealer service records. The CarFax records just don't cut it for me if I am purchasing 30K+ vehicle. Obviously, when I am in the market for under $5K vehicle, it would be rare to have the complete records but having them would seal the deal.


Yep, here is a good example:

An attorney I know leases a lot of MB's from one dealer, so the dealer overlooks just about everything when he returns the cars because he is a good customer.

His cars are cosmetically perfect, and I'm sure are CPO'd because the mileage is right. But his last E350 was traded in at 40k miles with 1 oil change done at around 25k at a Jiffy lube or walmart, whatever was running the $19 special.

So NFW would I buy a car like that, even CPO.

 

[rjundi]

The reason that upper end cars(BMW, MB) offer free maintenance is to get back maintained cars for certified resale program.