Originally Posted by ILUVMILS

A thorough Pre-Purcahse Inspection, performed by a QUALIFIED MB technician will provide more useful information than reading the vehicle's service history. Also, I'm not sure how the service records will help determine if the car was re-possessed, bought at an auction, flooded, totalled, etc. I thought that was what Carfax was for? A VMI however, can be useful. It'll tell you if the vehicle has any Recall/Service Campaigns that need to be done.
When I bought my 124 I never even bothered looking at the service file, and it was in the building I work in!!! I simply gave the car a good look-over and that was that.

In my experience, well cared for cars are easy to spot if you know what to look for. Something that's been neglected is even easier to pick out. A full detail and engine wash only go so far. I'm not saying that the service records are useless, however. It just seems to me that if it's a major headache to get your hands on them, why bother?