"No, they are private" <---says the dealer about my service history
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2011
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poop
"No, they are private" <---says the dealer about my service history
Howdy,
Just picked up a 04 E55. The car is great looks well kept, maintained, even have a Mercedes CPO sticker.
I called my local dealer, about an hour away, told them i was looking for a dealer for service, but i'd like the service records for my car. The person told me Mercedes doesn't have a network with other dealers, and there is no way to know whats done unless that particular dealer did the work.
my car was from the miami area (6 hrs away), an area with about 30 dealers to try... dumb. Well the keys says "Mercedes of Fort lauderdale", so i call them up.
They refuse to give out any records, they eventually claimed, "i think its a state law".
I ask, so if it needed a timing belt at 50k miles and i took it to you dealer you couldnt tell me if it was done? what, would you do it twice?
I ave owned a dozen GM vehicles, saabs, fords, ferrari etc... I have always a positive experience with getting those. Every single dealer before this has said "sure!" and printed or emailed them to me.
And I thought Mercedes had excellent service?
Just picked up a 04 E55. The car is great looks well kept, maintained, even have a Mercedes CPO sticker.
I called my local dealer, about an hour away, told them i was looking for a dealer for service, but i'd like the service records for my car. The person told me Mercedes doesn't have a network with other dealers, and there is no way to know whats done unless that particular dealer did the work.
my car was from the miami area (6 hrs away), an area with about 30 dealers to try... dumb. Well the keys says "Mercedes of Fort lauderdale", so i call them up.
They refuse to give out any records, they eventually claimed, "i think its a state law".
I ask, so if it needed a timing belt at 50k miles and i took it to you dealer you couldnt tell me if it was done? what, would you do it twice?
I ave owned a dozen GM vehicles, saabs, fords, ferrari etc... I have always a positive experience with getting those. Every single dealer before this has said "sure!" and printed or emailed them to me.
And I thought Mercedes had excellent service?
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 10
From: Calgary AB
09 E63 AMG
Canada is the same way. You can only get the history from the dealer that did the work. And you have to provide your registration stating you own the vehicle. But the print out is crappy anyway. Got it for my car and if the "complaint" is longer than one line it cuts it off. So you might get something like "customer says car has problem while" and cuts it off. So if there is no solution only "could not replicate" that's useless. But at least its better than nothing.
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From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
most advisers will go through the VMI record with you in person. They will not print it out fax / email it to you unless you know them personally.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2011
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poop
while this sucks, one disappointment doesn't mar the fact i got a good e55 Im happy with.
I didn't find it in he stickies or manual, is there a list of the all the service and when they are due?
I didn't find it in he stickies or manual, is there a list of the all the service and when they are due?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
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W211 E55 2003
If you have the servicebook that came with the car there are all the maintenance listed. The place for it is in the back seat center armrest
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Dublin,OH. Ft Myers, FLA
E63 AMG 2007
My local dealership printed the VMI, went over it with me, gave me the print out and it was the first time I met the SA. I had the car with me and proof of ownership. The car had been serviced in another state. Try a different dealer, some just aren't helpful so take your business elsewhere.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Every time I read about someone who couldn't get the VMI, they always asked for it over the phone. You have to go in person with the car. I actually made an appointment with the dealer and they started to give me a line about how there's private information in it like the previous owner's name. I told the to just black it out which they did and also told them that many other dealers give it out and if they didn't, I'd just cancel the appointment and go to another dealer. They gave it to me and I kept the appointment.
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 328
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From: DC Burbs
2016 E63s
I got mine from the dealer when I took it in for the fuel pump work. He did give me the line about the 1st page having proprietary info. So he just kept that page since the histry of work on the car was on the following pages. Id try another location.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 183
Likes: 33
From: Joshua, TX
2004 AMG E55
Same thing happened to me over the phone. I just had my fuel tank and pumps replaced and they talked to me about the service history in person. Since the SA was not there when I picked up the car I did not get a print out but he told me to stop by anytime and he would provide it.
SA told me that they were instructed to refuse over the phone. We figured it was so the dealership can get you in the door.
Sean
SA told me that they were instructed to refuse over the phone. We figured it was so the dealership can get you in the door.
Sean
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From: Dublin,OH. Ft Myers, FLA
E63 AMG 2007
Go to the dealer in person, ask to see a service advisor, SA, take the car and title with you to prove you are the new owner. Let them know you want to establish a relationship with the dealership for future maintenance and repairs and want to review the vehicle history. Then as you go over VMI ask for a copy for your records. If they refuse let them know you'll be looking for a more cooperative dealership. There is prior owner info on the first page but you don't want or need that, the rest shows warranty history and service history.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 504
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From: DE
2003 E55 AMG
Go to the dealer in person, ask to see a service advisor, SA, take the car and title with you to prove you are the new owner. Let them know you want to establish a relationship with the dealership for future maintenance and repairs and want to review the vehicle history. Then as you go over VMI ask for a copy for your records. If they refuse let them know you'll be looking for a more cooperative dealership. There is prior owner info on the first page but you don't want or need that, the rest shows warranty history and service history.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 638
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From: Dublin,OH. Ft Myers, FLA
E63 AMG 2007
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2011
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poop
There is only one dealer here
I wasn't planning on ever taking it in anyway, just wanted to know what was done.
This past weekend i put it on my lift for inspection, it was evident that the oil had only come out the top which i would assume means only a dealer changed it. Also apears i have some new airlines, new SBC, belts look great.
I did an oil change and filters. Also Lowered it, installed Carbon splitter, spoiler and diffuser.
Next week, supercharger oil, cabin filter, and transmission pan gasket and fluid change. I'll make my own records.
I wasn't planning on ever taking it in anyway, just wanted to know what was done.
This past weekend i put it on my lift for inspection, it was evident that the oil had only come out the top which i would assume means only a dealer changed it. Also apears i have some new airlines, new SBC, belts look great.
I did an oil change and filters. Also Lowered it, installed Carbon splitter, spoiler and diffuser.
Next week, supercharger oil, cabin filter, and transmission pan gasket and fluid change. I'll make my own records.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Getting the VMI from the dealer is only going to work if you're going to give them some business. If you just walked in asking for it without scheduling any service, I could see them not giving it to you. Like when restaurants say the bathrooms are only for the customers. You could have gone in told them you wanted to schedule something and then canceled it later. I'm not a fan of that though. I got mine by going in person and scheduling service.
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Joined: Jan 2016
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2004 E55
My Dad took his Designo into the same dealer and was only able to take pictures of the VMI... fwiw
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 599
Likes: 120
2004 E55
Getting the VMI from the dealer is only going to work if you're going to give them some business. If you just walked in asking for it without scheduling any service, I could see them not giving it to you. Like when restaurants say the bathrooms are only for the customers. You could have gone in told them you wanted to schedule something and then canceled it later. I'm not a fan of that though. I got mine by going in person and scheduling service.
Agreed, I got mine the same way, physical copies. I will see if I can post them up if anyone is interested
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Joined: Oct 2013
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14 E63, 05 E55, 03 Evo 8, 08 F250, 06 R6R, 92 Talon TSI, and instability
THis is completely dealer dependant. In Charleston, where I bought my car, the dealership there (where I didn't even buy my car from) ran adn printed my a copy of the VMI without any issue. WHen I took the car to the dealer in Savannah (where I lived at the time), I got grief. From a dealership in Atlanta, I got info over the phone.
Honestly, just go to a different dealership and don't put up with their crap. THere's no privacy law, state law, or corporate policy stopping the dealership from giving you your VMI. It's just that dealership or service advisor being stupid.
Honestly, just go to a different dealership and don't put up with their crap. THere's no privacy law, state law, or corporate policy stopping the dealership from giving you your VMI. It's just that dealership or service advisor being stupid.
