Faked service records?

charlieharper

charlieharper

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Recently (in April) bought a small car to drive around town.

Upon inspecting the service book in detail this morning I came across something that looks really, really dodgy.

IMG_2520.jpeg


IMG_2521.jpeg

Surely a pen cannot look that similar over the course of 4 services... It literally looks like it was all completed one shot, with semi convincing milage at time of service.

And no Job card number either.

Am I over thinking it?
 
Agree, it does look kinda fishy but I doubt you'd have any recourse now all this time later. I'd suggest maybe go and getting it serviced yourself by a reputable place for your own peace of mind.
 
if they have a computer system ask for a print out...

I almost always forget to take my service book with on the day...I can take my book now to have it stamped for the missed services in the book...asked them about it...
 
I bought a car for my son recently. The sales agent told me the car had been serviced recently. Upon collection, I told him there is no proof in the service book of a recent service and that the oil on the dipstick is black. He enquired at the service centre and they told him the cam belt was replaced.

I went to the manager and said we bought this car under the impression that it was recently serviced. They then sent the car for a service. Probably just an oil change.
 
akescpt said:
if they have a computer system ask for a print out...

I almost always forget to take my service book with on the day...I can take my book now to have it stamped for the missed services in the book...asked them about it...
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll give them a call and play ignorant and ask if they can send me a copy.
 
It could also be that the person lost their service book and the agents simply got them a new one and just filled in all the details in one go?
My wife went for a service once, book was not stamped, they simply updated it the next time she was there.

*Edit - sorry I see this was suggested. Nevermind.
 
charlieharper said:
Recently (in April) bought a small car to drive around town.

Upon inspecting the service book in detail this morning I came across something that looks really, really dodgy.

View attachment 1326622


View attachment 1326624

Surely a pen cannot look that similar over the course of 4 services... It literally looks like it was all completed one shot, with semi convincing milage at time of service.

And no Job card number either.

Am I over thinking it?
Click to expand...
Its quite common for some dealers not to stamp service books anymore.

I had a case where my service book was completely empty (while the car was being serviced under motorplan). I called and inquired and was told all records are kept electronically, If I wanted I can bring the service book and they will stamp as required. I did just that when I sold the car.

That probably explains the same pen
 
Might be that the owner lost the service book and the service provider had the records and agreed to fill in the services they performed.
 
Nemus said:
Might be that the owner lost the service book and the service provider had the records and agreed to fill in the services they performed.
Click to expand...
Yup I did that once, my service book disappeared once not sure where. I took my car to the dealer, paid R100 bucks for the new book and they stamped it and filled it in there.
 
Nemus said:
Might be that the owner lost the service book and the service provider had the records and agreed to fill in the services they performed.
Click to expand...
This is almost like what happened to me.

I bought my car and two weeks later something failed, so the third-party warranty had it repaired but they somehow misplaced my service booklet. The car was serviced in another province, but the same franchise, so the dealer offered to fill in the records from the central system, so everything also looked the same as in OP's picture.
 
Nemus said:
Might be that the owner lost the service book and the service provider had the records and agreed to fill in the services they performed.
Click to expand...
Ya BMW each time did not stamp my book, I took it in to them get stamped each time, as they just said on the system which it is , but I wanted my booked stamped.
 
Neuk_ said:
Audi doesn't even give you a service book anymore from what I have heard, everything is digital.
Click to expand...
You can ask for it, Renault don't either, but we got one with the Triber when we asked.
 
charlieharper said:
Recently (in April) bought a small car to drive around town.

Upon inspecting the service book in detail this morning I came across something that looks really, really dodgy.

View attachment 1326622


View attachment 1326624

Surely a pen cannot look that similar over the course of 4 services... It literally looks like it was all completed one shot, with semi convincing milage at time of service.

And no Job card number either.

Am I over thinking it?
Click to expand...

The hand writing does change over the course of the services, it looks like the last 2 services the person was getting stressed out, not as neat and the writing of KM behind the odometer reading changes.

It is weird that it’s all the same pen, maybe they have one pen that is strictly only used for writing in service books. But with no other evidence to the contrary you couldn’t say either way if they are all made up and written at the same time or perfectly legit. It does look like it’s the lady receptionist filling it out and not the mechanic.
 
No invoices? I always ask for the invoice when collecting my car. All my invoice dates matches up with the service book date
 
akescpt said:
if they have a computer system ask for a print out...

I almost always forget to take my service book with on the day...I can take my book now to have it stamped for the missed services in the book...asked them about it...
Click to expand...
Same on my side
 
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