No service records due to privacy laws

[arvy]

I was looking at a 2002 ML500 for private sale that was being sold for the original owner who had moved back to Germany. Claimed to have been serviced by the local dealer. When I checked with the dealer by providing the VIN, the dealer stated that they could not provide service records due to privacy laws. Only a letter of permission from the original owner would suffice. Apparently, even after I purchase the vehicle, they would not provide the previous service records because the service records belong to the owner of the vehicle at the time the records were generated.

To me, that means there is no way to get a service history if the original owner didn't keep the receipts. Too bad for me.

Here's the delaer's quote, "The records are the property of each owner, without written permission we cannot pass them on, combine files, or even let you view them. In the past we had policies in place to be discreet for our clients but now with privacy laws in place without something in writing we cannot pass on information. You may become the new legal owner of a vehicle but the records are the property of the previous owner."