Has anyone else had this trouble? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pcmaher · #1 06-11-2004, 08:25 AM

I'm trying to get service history records for my 1995 S600. There is a dealer badge on the back of the car indicating it was bought from Motor Works in Barrington IL. I was told by the previous owner (not the first owner) that the car was originally bought in Barrington. I contacted the dealer. Indirectly, they did state that the car was bought at their dealership. I asked how to get copies of the service history for this car. They are telling me (very politely and professionally) that they cannot provide that information to me unless I was the owner of the vehicle at the time the service was performed. The reason is unclear to the person I am correpsonding with, but they think it may have something to do with the Privacy Act.

Anyway, do any of my fellow Forumers have any comments on this? How can I find out out what was serviced on this car? Carfax does not list specifics. They only list if service was performed. There is no way to tell what was done. I would like to know if the recommended maintenance was done or not. The car has 122,000 miles on it.

wjm · #2 06-11-2004, 08:51 AM

Try another dealership. Walk into the Service department and introduce yourself to a service guy. Tell him that you plan to use have service done at the dealership and ask for a printout of the service history.

Worked for me.

But.... Never take your car to a Mercedes dealership unless you have money to burn.

sixto · #3 06-11-2004, 07:58 PM

I've never had any luck getting service history from an MB dealer. The most I've gotten is a VMI that lists what recalls have been resolved.

I take it there's no way to contact the previous owner and have him/her make the request for information?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

pcmaher · #4 06-12-2004, 07:03 AM

Tried the different dealership route wjm. They state they do not have a computer system that shares info between dealerships. I'm thinking of asking them to contact the old dealer, and see what kind of luck I have.

The first owner is probably the person with the service recods sixto. I bought the car from the second owner. He only had the car 3 months before he had to sell it. He didn't have any records. I will try to contact him to see what I can find out.

Thanks for the advice. I'm open to more suggesttions if anyone has some.

wjm · #5 06-12-2004, 11:04 AM

I think the dealer is giving you a story. Anyway, try calling Mercedes Customer Service. I'm sure they can help.

#6 06-12-2004, 11:32 AM

If you bought the car from a dealer, you'd have a right to ask for the maintenance records and a CarFax. However, dealerships have nothing to gain and potentially something to lose by providing those records to you (assuming they can). Giving you those records could put them in the middle of a dispute you might have with the seller.

Posting this question on varioius forums will only get you sympathy. Why not go back to the seller and see if he can put you in contact with the original owner. Don't be surprised if the car was never serviced at a dealership in the first place.

pcmaher · #7 06-12-2004, 12:11 PM

Not looking for sympathy Bud, just some suggestions. Thanks.

wjm · #8 06-12-2004, 03:27 PM

If you don't know who the original owner is, go to the DMV and ask for a title history on the car. My brother did that successfully in the past.

And trust me... keep trying. You'll find a dealer that will give you the service history. I have with EVERY USED CAR I've ever owned.

Wes Bender · #9 06-12-2004, 04:05 PM

Granted, this info dates back quite a ways, but when I bought my 300D from Von Housen Motors in Sacramento, CA in 1986, they gave me a folder with all the previous owner's service records. Even included the original owners metal imprint plate. (As an aside, I always had great service from Von Housen on three different cars during the ten years or so that I was in their area. Wish they were also in Tucson, but then again I've got a great indy there now.)

Its possible that M-B has since cautioned the dealers (or they decided amonst themselves) not to disclose service records.

IMHO if they don't have anything to hide, they shouldn't object to providing service records. I don't think I would trust a dealership that refused to do so. On the other hand, if you don't intend to use them for anything, why would they be disposed to give you any records. After all, they aren't public records.

Maybe someone affiliated with a dealership could shed some light on any policy that might exist....

just my $.02,

Wes

Nikola600 · #10 01-26-2005, 10:14 AM

The Privacy Act only covers personal information concerning the previous owner. It does not cover the vehicle. The dealerships do not want to take the time to do it, or they are trying to over compensate due to their past carelessness in leaving customer information in used cars. The other reason may involve problems with the vehicle that are still unresolved that they do not want to rehash with you.

Either way, you can ask for all of the service history and if they bring up privacy, just tell them to delete or white out any personal data. All you need to verify is the VIN # and the dates.

Also, all authorized MB dealers are linked by computer for sales and service. They can't exist without it.
Good Luck

ILUVMILS · #11 01-26-2005, 01:10 PM

I'd like to try and clear up a few myth's concerning the workings of MB dealerships. The dealer who serviced the vehicle in question is the only one who can provide the COMPLETE service history. MB dealerships are not linked by computer when it comes to service records unless it's a warranty/recall item. The printed record of all warranty/recall work performed is known as a VMI. Customer pay items don't show up on VMI's. Any dealer can pull up a VMI on an a particular vehicle regardless of where the work was done. To get a complete service history will usually require obtaining the actual service file which includes all repair orders and associated paperwork. If the vehicle was serviced at more than one dealer you'll have to visit all of them. At my dealer, if a vehicle doesn't come in for eighteen months the service history is automatcally deleted from the computer system. This system is internal to my dealer and can't be accessed by other dealers. The Privacy Act is indeed the reason for the denial of the service history. All paperwork associated with vehicle service is loaded with personal information about the client. Addresses, phone numbers, credit card information, signatures, etc, are all plain to see. You'll need written permission from the owner of record to obtain the service file. Several people posted that they've been provided with this information in the past. The Privacy Act is a relatively new thing, so what was true in '86 doesn't apply today. Another result of the privacy Act at my dealer is restricted access to the warranty department. This is where the service files are stored. I hope this clears up any misconceptions. I don't think the dealers are stonewalling anyone, they're just following the rules.

cangold · #12 01-26-2005, 08:20 PM

I just bought my 300e recently and had also called the dealer..I was told that if the car isn't serviced within 3 years they delete the file..
That was my answer

Will_w202 · #13 04-26-2005, 10:18 AM

Funny! On my 97, which I bought Starmark last year, I've gotten the same response when asking about svc recs - a computer system that only polls the dealership it is installed in. However, the car came complete with an owner's manual, and the name of the original owner listed in it, from Atlanta. I should call her! I wonder whose ass would get burned for leaving that in the car.......

wjm · #14 04-26-2005, 10:21 AM

No one will get burned. Anyone can go to the DMV (or Secretary of States) office and do a title history of their car. You'll easily know everyone who has owned the vehicle.

Steve Gutman · #15 04-26-2005, 12:46 PM

I bought a used BMW and the servicing dealer faxed me the service history right away. It was a computer printout but contained no info on the previous owner. My only problem is that I trust dealers so little that I don't believe they did all the service called for at the mileage intervals. I can't call the dealer and sak if they really did the work.