I registered my Mercedes on Carfax. I got an email the other day reminding me to renew my registration. I clicked on the service history tab for the heck of it and it brought up a bunch of things I didn't know were done.

One item that I was happy to see replaced was the ABS pump at 57k.

That is one part of the system I was dreading on having to replace, especially after the strut replacement I did several months ago. I'm hoping the pump is good for a little while longer. I know the fluid is clean.

I did try and email the dealer that did the service work, but they won't release the records due to privacy concerns. Is there any way we can obtain these?

 

Any dealer can get you a VMI -- Vehicle Master Inquiry, which shows all dealer work within the warranty period. They won't "send" it to you, but if you show up they should give it to you.

maw

 

When had the strut replaced, they did show me an extensive report on the car, but said I could not have it.

 

They're being bull****. Most dealers just print it out and black out the customer name. It's a "freebie" for when they're trying to earn or keep your business. Sounds like you need a different dealer relationship.

Take your title in, ask to speak to the service manager, and ask for the VMI with any old customer info hidden. If that doesn't work, go to a new dealer because that one doesn't deserve your business.

maw

 

I just sent the dealer an email on how to obtain the VMI. I'll let you know the outcome.

 

Ok, they actually emailed me the VMI.

Only thing is what I see on myCarfax and the report does not all jive.

For example, on 4/2012, myCarfax lists the following items done:

One tire replaced
Maintenance inspection completed
Battery/charging system checked
Brakes checked
Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned
Cooling system checked
Drive belts checked
Hydraulic control unit replaced
Oil and filter changed
One tire mounted
One wheel replaced
Steering/suspension checked
Tire(s) replaced
Tires rotated

The one KEY item is the Hydraulic unit replaced, however it is NOT listed on the VMI.

Could this be a clerical error or did they really not replace it? I also see duplications of the exact same service/repair done but with different dates a month or so apart.

Edit: I'm wondering if this is the ABC pump or Brake hydraulic pump...ugh

 

To note: The copy I saw was like 20+ pages long. It did not look like the VMI report they emailed me so I have no clue what that was UNLESS it was the report in detail.

 

Dealers have the report WITH the backup ("customer complains of X, checked X, Y and Z, replaced Z, replaced Y, Warranty" blah blah blah). I have that format for my M3. It's just that, more detail. And more paper. Glad you got it. In person, you may have gotten the whole thing, but there's a lot of white space in those 20+ pages. I've referred to it maybe once when I was uncertain about whether something was done. You have what you need.

The problem you're pointing to is partially CarFax, partially the content of the reports. CarFax just shows what that state requires to be reported, a lot of the time. It's the reason why a CarFax for a car in one state may not be as helpful as a CarFax for a car in another state. And multistate cars have different levels of detail shown on the same CarFax -- because the first state required more reporting than perhaps the others. The VMI shows ONLY what was done at the dealer under Warranty or Recall. So just because it's not on the VMI doesn't mean it wasn't done. It just means it was done outside of the Warranty period, or at an independent repair facility. So for a state with full reporting, you might see some things on the CarFax that are not on the VMI (full reporting, only some done by dealer within Warranty). Sounds like you're in one of those states.

The date lag is reporting, most likely. And to complicate matters, CarFax has evolved over the years and state laws have changed, which is why a CarFax is just the start of my research. The VMI is the end. Service records from the Seller is the best. For almost all of my cars, they were still under Warranty when I bought them, so the VMI was key. On the E500E, the Seller's records were better than CarFax and the VMI combined (car was 15 years out of warranty and came from FL, where not much was required to be reported.) So it all depends, but, glad you have what you need.

What's the last date entry on the VMI? An '06 car would have likely been placed in service in '05, which means the Warranty would have expired in 2010, not later than 2011. Your April 2012 CarFax entry is what I'd expect to be on the CarFax only, unless your car came with an extended factory warranty. Not an aftermarket insurance type Warranty though. Factory. My '05 M3 came with a 6/100k warranty (customer bought at time of delivery), which gave me some runway in late 2010 after I bought it. Not much, but enough for the VMI to cover everything prior to my purchase and a few other odds and ends in the first 9 mos of ownership.

Cheers,

maw

 

Thanks maw, I appreciate your responses!

One page had all in-warranty work up to 55k(I think). The rest were out-of-pocket work from the dealers. I actually have old receipts the previous owner left in the glovebox with a LOT more work done than the VMI shows. I'm assuming these were all Indy shops which is why it doesn't show.

The original selling dealer had a warranty job for the ABC pump. Didn't say if it was replaced, just had ABC pump Noise. So, I have no clue if it was replaced or not. (I'm hoping )

I am amazed at the work the previous owner had done. Seat rail replacements(twice), ignition coils, plugs, control arms....

The car had countless alignments and wheel balance issues. UGH.

I may try to go to the dealer this week and see if I can get the detailed report on this.

 

Certainly seems they got paid in full on the prior owner. They're probably hoping you're like him. I sincerely doubt the car actually needed all that stuff. But if you give a dealer an excuse to bill a warranty, they'll take it.

GL

maw