I have just purchased a 3 yr old BMW from a non-franchised dealer advertised with full BMWSH. When I asked to see the paperwork he produced a number of copies of BMW receipts for every service and this shows the car has indeed been well maintained by a main dealer.
However, he said there is no service book - presumably lost.
He said I could contact BMW who would issue a duplicate and stamp it up. Could anyone confirm whether this is possible? Is it a straighforward process? Do they charge a fortune?
I also read in another post that you can ring BMW and they will confirm service records over the phone - will they do this even if the car isn't through an Approved Used BMW sale?
Thanks.
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Is it an ex-fleet or lease car? If so it could be worth calling the company who owned it previously, as they might have some further information regarding the history. It's even possible they might have the service book somewhere.
My father-in-law bought an ex-Hitachi Capital car (mkIV Golf) with no properly documented s/h and we called to see if they could fill in any gaps. They were very helpful, and within a few days we had a complete printout of the car's history (full VW as suspected) and even a record of every time a tyre or bulb was replaced.
They didn't have the service book though, but remember with a service history that invoices and other proof are worth much more than a stamped book. Blank service books can be bought on Ebay for a tenner, and remarkably convicing rubber stamps are available from any kids toy shop. If you've got the hard evidence, that's more important.
Cheers
DP
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Not certain about the cars, but with the bikes the service records are only held by the garage where it's serviced, cars may be centrally recorded but something tells me not.
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I think you would be best telephoning the service dept. of the dealer you have the receipts for.
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If the car has been serviced at a BMW main dealer, then all information is recorded on a central computer at their headquarters in Bracknell, - all you need to quote is the car`s registration number.
As has already been mentioned previously, full service invoice history is far more meaningful documentation, than a stamped service book, which could be totally bogus. !!!!!!
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Are you sure chukter - as previously stated definately not the case with Motorrad dealers, something in the bak of my mind tells me that it isn't the case with the cars, the however being that I was once told that the car keys are used to access service records.........???!?!?!?
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Service History definately held on computer at BMQ HQ - Bracknell - ...(they use it to check for FSH in the event of warranty claims),.....................and as PU says the later models have the model details (VIN,mileage etc) stored on a chip in the key ...the key data is basically the details taken from the OBC - not the SH, but once the car is identified from the key the dealer can access the central records computer for the SH.
Not sure when the key/chip came in though...................my wife's MINI (2003) has the "chip key" but my E46 (1999) doesn't.
I'd also call the dealers who serviced the car to check, but it's very rare to find a 3 yr old BMW without full FSH (who would pay over £20K for a car and then not service it and invalidate the warranty??
Jacks
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Thanks for these replies.
I'm glad that the actual service book doesn't seem to be as valuable to a car's history as I first thought. I won't rush to buy one.
I'll give BMW a call just to ask them to validate it's history for my piece of mind but as jacks says, it would be unusual not to have used main dealer servicing on a 3 yr old car.
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Service History definately held on computer at BMQ HQ - Bracknell - ...(they use it to check for FSH in the event of warranty claims),.....................and as PU says the later models have the model details (VIN,mileage etc) stored on a chip in the key ...the key data is basically the details taken from the OBC - not the SH, but once the car is identified from the key the dealer can access the central records computer for the SH.
BMW Service History is NOT centrally held. What is held is a record of the dates, the mileages when a car was taken to a BMW garage and the name of the garage. For information on what was exactly done to a specific vehicle, you have to call the garage in question. So it is possible to build up a comprehensive picture of what has been done to a car by making several telephone calls. But not with one phone call.
With Audi, there is a dedicated line which gives you the full SH.
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That was my impression as well CJay.....I thought I'd dreamt it. Guess the central suff is from the key thing ?
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Ive often wondered how these service books get lost.
Of all of the lease cars I've had as well as the ones I have owned privately, I never managed to lose the service book, as there is always either a specific place where the book goes in the car or the glove compartment, so how do they lose them ?
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Roly, I think it's down to how much people 'value' their company cars. I would see one as a car to look after like my own but others don't seem to care about them at all! I look after my home computer more than my work one!
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I keep the book in the house in case some scounderal breaks into the car and nicks it. Comes from working with so many criminals.
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Wot! You don't give them the benefit of the doubt and 'just one more chance'. Doesn't their 'settling down because of new job and pregnant partner' routine have the same effect on you as it does on magistrates!! Shame on you :)
Now back to topic!!!!!
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MLC - No.
If it's on average mileage it should have had a time dependant brake fluid change and looking forward to it's four year coolant change as well as a couple or three oil changes depending on use. There's a couple of recalls on the 2.0 diesels (injector thing) and something on the ABS as well. Check the VOSA website to be sure.
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I have just received a replacement service book for a BWM 520 touring from the agents that had done all the service work it is stamped duplicate on every page but all the relevent stamps are there.Also they did not charge for this service which I found amazing.
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To give an update. It certainly is the case that the main BMW Customer Service have limited access to a car's service records. They told me it had had 3 visits (which worried me slightly as it's done quite a few miles). They put me onto the actual servicing dealer who gave me the miles and inspection types for 6 visits. Everything looks in order and backs up what the seller has told me. It was very useful to talk to the actual dealer who was very helpful.
@Andy - I didn't bother to ask for a book (as knowing the information is the main thing). If I had known they might have done it for free then I would have!!
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