[mowflow]

When I bought my car (a couple of weeks ago) I checked with the garage that it had a full service history. The sales guy said "yes" but the book that was in the car only had part of the history (delivery check and 1st 2 services where as it should have 4 services). While at the garage the sales guy phoned the previous owner and found out where he had it serviced and told me he would get the book sorted out for me.

When I picked the car up I was told that they were still waiting on the book coming in and they were expecting it tomorrow. After about 1 week, still no sign of the book so I called the garage up and the sales guy told me it still hadn't appeared. He got a bit defensive when I asked for the contact he was dealing with at BMW. Another week later, still no book so I call again and he tells me he posted it out to me yesterday and I should get it tomorrow. That was now over a week ago and still no book. I know that when I call the guy is going to try to say it must be lost in the post but I know he has been bullshitting me.

As it stands I don't even have the original book for the car so can anyone tell me. How easy would it be for me to get a duplicate of the service history from BMW? I know that the car came from Peter Vardy BMW in Edinburgh originally. Do BMW keep a database of this type of info?

[Jeff123]

Hi

If it was me I would start with the original garage. I would have thought that everything that BMW have done is on the computer. Tell them your problem and ask them if you can buy a blank service book. Get them to stamp the book and supply the invoices that accompany the work.

It might mean a bit of hassle for you, but you may be able to build up a complete maintenance record that will add value to your car.

Just keep "digging" and asking questions until you get what you want.

If this approach fails, try contacting someone at BMW UK. People on this forum have many contact names and could probably help you.

Jeff

[dxb335d]

That will only give you the BMW history. Not every single receipt for the car.

Also try contacting the previous owner for any history he/she may have lying about.

[zedman]

listen just ring that premium bmw number that bm use to make even more money out of their customers that can tell you the service history record - if it has the history then buy a book, get it stamped and bill the garage for the phone call, time, and book.

if it actually doesnt have a FSH then return the car

Simples!

[dxb335d]

That will only give you the BMW history. Not every single receipt for the car. (Presuming the previous owner only used BMW for the major ones and maybe an indi for everythign else)

Also try contacting the previous owner for any history he/she may have lying about.

[dxb335d]

That will only give you the BMW history. Not every single receipt for the car. (Presuming the previous owner only used BMW for the major ones and maybe an indi for everythign else)

Also try contacting the previous owner for any history he/she may have lying about.

[mowflow]

What's this premium number zedman?

I'm only really interested in the service history rather than every single receipt. The car is 3 years old with 2 owners. The book the sales guy had showed main dealer history for the 1st owner and i'm pretty sure the second owner had it serviced at a main dealer as he bought it from one and had it insured through BMW. For some reason he had included his insurance cover letter in the folder with the manual.

[mowflow]

I'll give the previous owner a call. I've pre judged him as a bit of a fool as he included a load of crap with the car such as his receipts for road tax but somehow managed to loose the service book

[Jeff123]

Hi

If you get the receipts you will know what has been done on the car. Also, if you sell it privately you will have a better record of the cars history - and it should be easier to sell.

You may also find that some of the work or parts carries a warranty and this would be beneficial.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by mowflow

What's this premium number zedman?

I'm only really interested in the service history rather than every single receipt. The car is 3 years old with 2 owners. The book the sales guy had showed main dealer history for the 1st owner and i'm pretty sure the second owner had it serviced at a main dealer as he bought it from one and had it insured through BMW. For some reason he had included his insurance cover letter in the folder with the manual.

Im the complete opposite, I wouldnt buy a 2-3 year old car with just a service book. Id want receipts backing up those service stamps and every other receipt for the car.

Shows its been looked after, and its nice to see whats been done when.

[mowflow]

Thanks for the replies Jeff123 and dxb335d.

To be honest I just want the service history for the resale of the car in a couple of years. I'm not in the least bit worried about the cars history. My old man is a mechanic, I was practically brought up in a garage and stripped and rebuilt my first engine when I was 11 so the car has been thoroughly checked and is absolutely rock solid. I just know that when I sell it on/trade it in in a few years time the book will be required. I'm perfectly happy to pay BMW for it if I have to, what was that number you mentioned Jeff123?

[F31-340i]

If all the work was done in a BMW dealer, then it should be easy for (I think) any dealer to print off all the work done. If they can't or won't then something maybe amiss.

I got them to do this with my current car, and recently had them check it had had the electric towball recall done - my local dealer in Bristol established that a dealer in Bournemouth had had this done back in 2008 before I even bought the car.

[willhollin]

That will only give you the BMW history. Not every single receipt for the car. (Presuming the previous owner only used BMW for the major ones and maybe an indi for everythign else)

Also try contacting the previous owner for any history he/she may have lying about.

[Jeff123]

Originally Posted by mowflow

Thanks for the replies Jeff123 and dxb335d.

To be honest I just want the service history for the resale of the car in a couple of years. I'm not in the least bit worried about the cars history. My old man is a mechanic, I was practically brought up in a garage and stripped and rebuilt my first engine when I was 11 so the car has been thoroughly checked and is absolutely rock solid. I just know that when I sell it on/trade it in in a few years time the book will be required. I'm perfectly happy to pay BMW for it if I have to, what was that number you mentioned Jeff123?

Hi

I referred to people on this forum being able to give you a number - I personally don't know one.

Jeff

[zedman]

Originally Posted by mowflow

What's this premium number zedman?

I'm only really interested in the service history rather than every single receipt. The car is 3 years old with 2 owners. The book the sales guy had showed main dealer history for the 1st owner and i'm pretty sure the second owner had it serviced at a main dealer as he bought it from one and had it insured through BMW. For some reason he had included his insurance cover letter in the folder with the manual.

the number is....... 0906 209 0001 charged at a very competitive £1 a minute.

this will give you details of all visits to BMW stealers - not indy's!

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by zedman

the number is....... 0906 209 0001 charged at a very competitive £1 a minute.

this will give you details of all visits to BMW stealers - not indy's!

Does not print em off for you though!?

[mowflow]

double post

[mowflow]

Sorry Jeff123, I got yourself and zedman mixed up.

Thanks for the number zedman. At the reasonable rate of £1 per minute I'll call the dealers first like ///ajd suggested. I've been reading about other people doing this and it seems pretty simple and reliable.

To everyone that keeps putting:

That will only give you the BMW history. Not every single receipt for the car. (Presuming the previous owner only used BMW for the major ones and maybe an indi for everythign else)

Also try contacting the previous owner for any history he/she may have lying about.

I know this. I'll give them a call and see what they say.

Do many of you have bills out with normal servicing on BMWs that are less than 2-3 years old? If so I think i've bought the wrong make of car.

Thanks again for all the help.

[willhollin]

That will only give you the BMW history. Not every single receipt for the car. (Presuming the previous owner only used BMW for the major ones and maybe an indi for everythign else)

Also try contacting the previous owner for any history he/she may have lying about.

[xenon]

Will

behave!

(first one made me laugh though)