Getting service records not allowed?

[ncal]

Hey all. I was looking at a use X5 in amazing shape, but wanted to dig a little deeper and see if I could see the service records. I know which dealer it was serviced at, so I called up to request them. I was told they aren't allowed to do that anymore due to privacy issues.

The car is owned by a non BMW dealer not too far away.

Is this correct?

[X5Ghost]

I called a couple of dealers in CA today to get the same thing on an X5 I recently purchased and was told the same thing! One dealer told me he would be willing to take screen shots of service history to ensure prev owner info is not there and fax them to me, I said great!! Still waiting to receive this damn fax!

[wsybert]

I got the full svc history when I purchased mine a few weeks ago.
I will have to look, but don't recall any previous owner info. Just svc and warranty stuff.

[BryanCO]

My local dealer has pulled up vehicle history and read through it but preferred not to provide a hard copy. This worked for me during the car search process.

I've heard of dealers whom will not even give verbal info. In that case, I would try a different dealer and just be up front with them regarding the situation, why you are asking, etc.

Of course, once you own the vehicle, the dealer will provide all relevant info.

[GmoneyLI]

BMW dealers usually report te service history to Carfax btw

[ard]

Hit or miss. Official policy is records of prior business transactions between dealers and other owners are NOT the 'property' of the car and cannot be turned over to subsequent owners. Not just name, address, etc- but the actual work done- or not done- is private info.

But develop a relationship with your SA and maybe you'll get lucky

A

[GmoneyLI]

Originally Posted by ard

Hit or miss. Official policy is records of prior business transactions between dealers and other owners are NOT the 'property' of the car and cannot be turned over to subsequent owners. Not just name, address, etc- but the actual work done- or not done- is private info.

But develop a relationship with your SA and maybe you'll get lucky

A

I always got the complete service records of all te used BMW's I owned. Multiple dealerships in different states as well.

PS getting in good with ur SA is a must. I take care of my SA on even the small stuff so when something important comes up they look put for me.

[ncal]

Still no luck. Can't even seem to get any info on whether or not various recall work was done. I can understand not disclosing any information about the previous owner, but the history of the car is something that should be disclosed I think

[eschantra]

Originally Posted by ncal

Still no luck. Can't even seem to get any info on whether or not various recall work was done. I can understand not disclosing any information about the previous owner, but the history of the car is something that should be disclosed I think

Try another dealer, if the car was serviced at BMW the records should be in a national database, including any recall work. They may just not want to give you the info because you didn't purchase the car from them. Sales guys can access service records SANS personal information if given the VIN, or at least I could back when I was selling BMWs years ago. I know that if I walked into my local dealership now and asked my service advisor if XXX was done or not, he would tell me.

[ard]

Originally Posted by ncal

Still no luck. Can't even seem to get any info on whether or not various recall work was done. I can understand not disclosing any information about the previous owner, but the history of the car is something that should be disclosed I think

This trips many people up.

It isn't the "cars history"... you are asking for the commercial history of business transactions between the prior owner and the independent BMW dealership.

How I treated the car, maintained it or didn't maintain it- damaged it, repaired it- all of this is my business, between me and the company doing the work. Years later that is still my business, not the current owners'.

I've heard talk of asking a prior owner to sign a document agreeing to allow you access to these records- as part of a purchase agreement. This highlights the fact that you buy a car, and the records are a separate 'item'.

A