RichardM98

FYI -

I've often suggested to people wanting information about the build codes, maintenance and repair history for their car (or potential car) to ask a dealer for a VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry). A comment in the latest issue The Star (mbca mag) states that more and more dealers are declining to give out that information siting privacy and proprietary reasons. That is, it may contain previous owner info and it's an internal document anyway.

So I guess if you have one consider yourself lucky. If you don't and want one, you may have to 'shop around' to find a dealer that is still willing.

Good luck.

ohlord

original owner it's yours.
If you are buying the car from the original owner get the history from them.
If you inspect it properly the history means nothing since you will know far more about it with a good inspection than any vmi will let you know about its current condition

I don't care if it says it had new ball joints installed in 2007 if under inspection it reveals they are shot in 2010

Far to many new buyers depending on vmi's, carfax,and the like.

inspect,inspect,inspect

RichardM98

Well, as everyone knows, the VMI isn't about the current condition. That's what an inspection is for.

There's an old saying, ohlord. People who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.

vinceC

I always peruse a vehicles history if I can. If it has had a long history of repairs (not service items like oil changes, etc.) it could be a problem car.

RichardM98

Exactly.

fosmith

Or, maybe everything that was going to break already has. I bought my car two years ago at 104K miles and it had a lot of repairs the previous four years under Starmark warranty but has been pretty trouble free for 30K miles since.

Fred

hcetzneb

I'm sorry not true if you see one right at the top it says FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY .. your not suposed to even give a copy to the owner. You can give your dealers history (adp,reyndolds) but not vmi's.

What we really use them for is data cards , when you version code certian modules you need to no what options are on the car with are listed on the data card.

But if your friendly with your SA you can get one

MB_Forever

+10000 Nothing should replace a good detailed inspection.

Jaywalker

As a prospective MB buyer I find plenty of cars available. If I pay for a pre-purchase inspection on every one of them, I'll soon have used up my car purchase funds. I use the VMI, if I can get one, or the service records, if available, or AutoCheck, which I trust marginally more than CarFax, to determine which cars will get to go before the mechanic for the PPI. My eyes are just not sophisticated enough to know for sure whether the car has been repainted, has a title problem, or has had any maintenance done. Use what you have.

RichardM98

I ran across another VINcheck recently for lost or stolen vehicles.

https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud...check/vincheck