Researching the Maintenance History of a car

[AdiS]

Hi Guys,

I am looking for insights on exactly how in-depth you can go when it comes to researching and evaluating the maintenance history of a potential car. Now, I know you can phone through to BMW SA with teh VIN number and ask if there are comments on teh motorplan, but what I am unsure about is the level of detail. In other words, as far as I understand it, comments on the motorplan are generally out of the ordinary things like accident damage, large component failure (e.g. turbo, engine) .. etc. What I am want to know, is can you actually see exactly what work has and hasn't been done on teh car. For example, can I see if a car has had a coolant overhaul, or somethign other than regular servicing? If so, how do I go about it.

Also, the yanks always harp on about getting a Pre-purchase inspection done before buying. This makes sense, as you migth want to know if something like shocks or suspension bushings only have like 5000km of life left in them. Do the dealers do these properly?

What are the best practices for thoroughly investigating the condition and maintenance of a used car, and to what extent can you investigate.

Thanks!

Adrian

 

[Fordkoppie]

When you receive the motorplan CIA history from the agents, you can see each jobcard number. They have the details of the jobcards on their system, but good luck in trying to get it from them

 

[Sankekur]

And even if you get all the job cards and can see exactly what has been changed or replaced, it still won't say how well it was done, or what was broken or damaged in the process - don't expect that the dealers did the job properly as the contrary seems to happen way too often :nonono:

 

[AdiS]

So while the best practise is to scrutinize the motorplan history as much as possible, its credibility can be questioned?

 

[m0lt3n]

or do what I did. Stay clear of the history before you get a reason not to buy the car!!:thumbs:
What you dont know cant hurt you right?!:fencelook:

 

[FaSTandFurious]

What you dont know cant hurt you right?!:fencelook:

Right. But in this case can be costly

 

[msm]

Sometimes history also points you in the wrong direction. A car with lots of items replaced could mean a pedantic owner or a "Friday" car, so either way it's no guarantee of what could potentially happen. The more items replaced, also means that more technicians had their fingers meddling with stuff.

However, some info like accident damage, etc may be useful though.

---

And even if you get all the job cards and can see exactly what has been changed or replaced, it still won't say how well it was done, or what was broken or damaged in the process - don't expect that the dealers did the job properly as the contrary seems to happen way too often :nonono:

+1000000000000

 

[AdiS]

Ok, so invariable checking the motorplan is worthwhile, but concrete conclusions cannot necessarily be drawn from it.

What are the feelings on pre-purchase inspections?

 

[frikkieh]

Knowledge is power - it is better to know the history.:thumbs:

BMW gave my full CIA SH on paper in my hands.

I suppose it depends on the dealer then.

 

[ballistic]

Ditto on all comments and whatever is still to come. LOL.

Maybe u should have done what i never, get the AA to do a check on the car.

 

[Solo Man]

AdiS, i see you are based in Cape Town. I bought a E39 530d about 18 months ago after the owner died in a plane crash and so did not have any history except for the agents (Helderberg BMW in Strand). So i went there with the car's documents and asked to see the service history. Apparently the agency changed hands round about the time just before i bought the car (I did not buy the car from a dealer but second hand cars in another town)
Anyway, the lady working with the service history was kind enough to search for the paperwork (it was not on there computers anymore because of the change in dealer) and i got the service history up to the date that the car was last serviced, which was just before i bought it. It did not have any record of having the cooling service changed or the oil seperator upgraded to the newer type, etc. so i just went ahead and bought a new waterpump, thermostat, oil seperator, etc. and replaced the items on the car (must say that when i took the air filter out it was so dirty that i could only conlude that it was only replaced a looong time ago) I did not check the history to see when last it was paid for. So what i am trying to say is that the service history is not always the answer to your queries, but is better than no history at all![/b]