Dealer won't tell me the history of the car
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 339
Likes: 35
From: Nevada
2014 E63S, 2018 GLC 300
Dealer won't tell me the history of the car
I am trying to get service history on the E55 I just purchased and the dealer said it wont give it to me since I did not own the vehicle during that time.
I am blown away, maybe someone here can shed some light on this policy.
I asked how am I to know the condition of my vehicle they have sitting in their computer. They said I could have them go over my car and tell me. I then said what are you going to remove the fuel filter to check if it is good? Of course not, your going to look in your system and tell me it is fine because it was replaced 5 months prior. So essentially you will allow me to pay you for the info. I asked can I pay for the info, they refused.
(Accidentally posted in another thread in the non AMG forum, meant to post here.)
I am blown away, maybe someone here can shed some light on this policy.
I asked how am I to know the condition of my vehicle they have sitting in their computer. They said I could have them go over my car and tell me. I then said what are you going to remove the fuel filter to check if it is good? Of course not, your going to look in your system and tell me it is fine because it was replaced 5 months prior. So essentially you will allow me to pay you for the info. I asked can I pay for the info, they refused.
(Accidentally posted in another thread in the non AMG forum, meant to post here.)
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
2004 E55
Go to another dealer
Another dealer can likely cross reference especially if same company owns the second Dealership.Offer to pay for a printout of history for the 17 Digit VIN you have in hand when requesting. Bring proof of ownership and it should be possible. Or have your Independent shop ask for a printout or get specific answers you want such as pertinent history. They often have a good relationship with somebody at the dealer probably in the wholesale parts department..hmm might even ask the parts man at the same Dealership that refused you. They have access to the same screens of history as service people at most dealers.
Last edited by MomentumE55; Aug 5, 2014 at 12:12 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 152
From: 'Merica
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
I had heard of this policy, but I had never encountered it.
Call another dealership and give them they car's VIN and see if they will run a VMI for you. One of the dealers around here ran VMIs for me while I was shopping around. They didn't give me any copies but they would tell me exactly what was on it.
Call another dealership and give them they car's VIN and see if they will run a VMI for you. One of the dealers around here ran VMIs for me while I was shopping around. They didn't give me any copies but they would tell me exactly what was on it.
Super Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 569
Likes: 52
From: Silicon Valley
V60 Polestar, Veloster N 6MT
I'm actually surprised you bought the car without knowing its history first. Dealers/sellers are more willing to provide VMI to a prospective buyer to close the sale in my experience. They just black out PII (personally identifiable info). If they don't, they're hiding something.
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles/Honolulu
Audi S4 (sold), E46 M3 (sold) 05 E55 silver/black(sold)
In the past I've simply asked them to black out any information identifying the previous owner. I'm only interested in the VIN matching the records. Never had a problem. Try another dealership and in the future, do this BEFORE you purchase the car.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 339
Likes: 35
From: Nevada
2014 E63S, 2018 GLC 300
Prior to buying the car I had a carfax report and had a PPI completed by a Mercedes dealership. All scheduled service was done it's whole life at Mercedes. I just wanted to know the details of the services. I tried another dealer but they could not help me with the details either.
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2011 CLS 550, 2001 SL 600, 2009 SL 550, 2000 E 320 Wagon
Dealers have to provide this information. Chain Dealers like Mercedes have to provide this information and they will ask your signature that they have provided this information to you. Unless it's a mom and pop dealer shop and they can't do this. In any event even small dealers have to provide this information from Car Fax. Even if they have to charge. In your case he had too regardless of you wanted to pay or not. I remember in my case they didn't have it and I asked for it and they said it will cost you. I laughed! I said I'm ready to make a purchase and you are scaring me with 20$ extra?
No- They must provide that information.
No- They must provide that information.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 339
Likes: 35
From: Nevada
2014 E63S, 2018 GLC 300
Dealers have to provide this information. Chain Dealers like Mercedes have to provide this information and they will ask your signature that they have provided this information to you. Unless it's a mom and pop dealer shop and they can't do this. In any event even small dealers have to provide this information from Car Fax. Even if they have to charge. In your case he had too regardless of you wanted to pay or not. I remember in my case they didn't have it and I asked for it and they said it will cost you. I laughed! I said I'm ready to make a purchase and you are scaring me with 20$ extra?
No- They must provide that information.
No- They must provide that information.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2011 CLS 550, 2001 SL 600, 2009 SL 550, 2000 E 320 Wagon
I think the Car Fax might be sufficient information but it is not detailed- Like you are saying. I'll elaborate this more. Your car has a setting on Oil Change. Once its been reset you are good for 9-10K miles. Some people go to their local Jiffy Lube or Pep Boys to change the oil. I am not sure if that service gets registered in Car Fax. On the other hand I believe the Dealer records that information in detail if there is a history. It's hard to chase it with scattered history. That's to the best of my knowledge. That's a big investment and you would like to make sure you have all the records.Hope you get all you requested.
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: CA/NYC/Jersey Shore
Current 2014 Maserati Quattroporte and 2017 GLE 63 AMG retired 2007 E63 AMG
?
I must be missing something. Are you speaking of a Mercedes Benz dealer?
If you own the car and show them proof, they will (in my experience) always give you all the VMI info. If you don't have proof, or don't own the car (in the case of a prospective buyer) they won't give you a VMI report but will read it to you over the phone. (again, from my personal experience)
Further, if all the service was always done at a MB dealership, then any MB dealership should be able to give you the info.
Carfax is pure garbage. Yet again from personal experience, carfax can miss major repairs and accidents. Lots of dealerships (yes, MB) don't report to carfax.
If you own the car and show them proof, they will (in my experience) always give you all the VMI info. If you don't have proof, or don't own the car (in the case of a prospective buyer) they won't give you a VMI report but will read it to you over the phone. (again, from my personal experience)
Further, if all the service was always done at a MB dealership, then any MB dealership should be able to give you the info.
Carfax is pure garbage. Yet again from personal experience, carfax can miss major repairs and accidents. Lots of dealerships (yes, MB) don't report to carfax.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: AZ
C32, C55, 08 E63
When I was looking at my car at the dealer they supplied me with all the VMI info before I purchased the car. They didn't give me the records till I bought the car though. If you purchased the car from the dealership in question then there shouldn't be an issue with giving you VMI.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 639
Likes: 33
From: London UK
E63s s213 2019 ,SOLD E63 Weistec, E55, C36
same in the UK, nothing from dealer and they refused to give me details on what had been done to it, i contacted the prev owner who gave me all the paperwork since new.
