Anybody works at a BMW car dealership

[Indio]

Trying to get service records for a 2017 X5 with 12K miles that is on sale at a non-BMW dealer. This dealer claims he called BMW dealership for service records & they refused to share. Previous owner doesn't have copies. Previous owner traded this X5 for a new car at this non-BMW dealer.

Car is in excellent shape, has all the packages I want but am hesitant to pull trigger. The dealer won't allow me to get a PPI done from a BMW dealer or an independent mechanic claiming they will do an inspection in house, which defeats the purpose of PPI.

I don't know if it is illegal to obtain/request service records of a car that one doesn't own or there are privacy issues. I guess one could hide previous owner's PII. Wondering if anyone works at a BMW dealership or knows someone & don't mind helping.

 

[banshee01]

Carfax can't handle this? Most services especially ones at a dealer would be reported

 

[RightCoastBias]

Trying to get service records for a 2017 X5 with 12K miles that is on sale at a non-BMW dealer. This dealer claims he called BMW dealership for service records & they refused to share. Previous owner doesn't have copies. Previous owner traded this X5 for a new car at this non-BMW dealer.

Car is in excellent shape, has all the packages I want but am hesitant to pull trigger. The dealer won't allow me to get a PPI done from a BMW dealer or an independent mechanic claiming they will do an inspection in house, which defeats the purpose of PPI.

I don't know if it is illegal to obtain/request service records of a car that one doesn't own or there are privacy issues. I guess one could hide previous owner's PII. Wondering if anyone works at a BMW dealership or knows someone & don't mind helping.

Not allowing a PPI would be a red flag to me, probably enough to walk away. Something doesn't seem right.

Edit: Do you have the VIN? If so, have you tried calling a BMW dealership and asking about service records ?

 

[TheRobSJ]

Car is in excellent shape, has all the packages I want but am hesitant to pull trigger. The dealer won't allow me to get a PPI done from a BMW dealer or an independent mechanic claiming they will do an inspection in house, which defeats the purpose of PPI.

Massive red flag. Any reputable dealer would be happy to write a BCA and let you take it to have an independent inspection done.

Don’t walk, run away from this one.

 

[Mike95060]

Please share the name of this dealer as a PSA.

 

[Butch]

I have been able to call BMW North America directly with a VIN and get all the records they have. Advice too.
I suppose that was ten years ago. Things could change. Carfax could be taking over and ripping off everyone.
I sure don't trust anyting tied to the insurance industry, and Carfax is.

I love Capitalism.

 

[Johndicezx9]

What's the first service on an X5, an oil change and tire rotation at 7500 miles?

 

[wazzuFreddo]

Flood car from Houston? :laughing

Give someone with access to auction history the VIN. Bet it wasn’t a trade in at that dealer.

 

[madsen203]

Flood car from Houston? :laughing

Give someone with access to auction history the VIN. Bet it wasn’t a trade in at that dealer.

This

 

[Abacinator]

Not allowing a PPI would be a red flag to me, probably enough to walk away. Something doesn't seem right.

Edit: Do you have the VIN? If so, have you tried calling a BMW dealership and asking about service records ?

Massive red flag. Any reputable dealer would be happy to write a BCA and let you take it to have an independent inspection done.

Don’t walk, run away from this one.

Yep. Indio, that dealer is bullshitting you. Keep looking.

 

[295566]

Not allowing a PPI is a red flag - walk away.

However...

They're not wrong that most, if not all, dealerships won't give you service records nowadays. Unless the PO keeps them and transfers them to the new owner, consider them lost.

 

[Jester]

Have you tried creating an account on the bmwusa.com website?

I know for Toyota cars, you can see any toyota cars dealer service history if you create an account at the toyotaowners.com website, and the VIN is not yet registered to another account. I've been able to check multiple potential cars with this method.

 

[Holeshot]

send me the color, miles, etc and I'll see if I can find it at Manheim's sales. Tell the dealer you want to take them up on the 3 day right to return contract and see what they say. They need to provide you an NMVTIS report as well (Carfax type).

 

[/dev/null]

Car is in excellent shape, has all the packages I want but am hesitant to pull trigger. The dealer won't allow me to get a PPI done from a BMW dealer or an independent mechanic claiming they will do an inspection in house, which defeats the purpose of PPI.

Buy the car.
Get a PPI.
If it fails, return it.

Under CA law a dealership has to offer you a return option contract for a used car with a value under $40,000.

CA Car Buyers Bill of Rights
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr35

 

[Indio]

Thank you all for your responses. I will call BMW NA, as well as sign up for an account & push for getting a PPI.
CarFax is ok, shows was sold in April 2017 here in SF bay area and has been local since then.

@Holehsot I PMed you the VIN#, color and other details.

 

[Holeshot]

Indio, where is the BMW located now? What town? Check PM. I also have a paint gauge you can borrow if you're close. Considering the car's under warranty and isn't a manufacturer buyback (has to disclosed, as well as rentals have to be disclosed), I can't imagine what could be wrong with it if not an accident.
Any major damage that would show up in carfax would show up on title.

 

[billswim]

Walk away. Period. No independent PPI on any used car is a “no sale”. They made lots of BMWs. Find another one. If this one is so great you have to have it they should be more than willing to let you get someone to look at it. If it’s so much cheaper than all the other comparable vehicles out there and you think it’s a great “deal” you cant afford to not buy it, you still have a life lesson to learn.

 

[Indio]

Walk away. Period. No independent PPI on any used car is a “no sale”. They made lots of BMWs. Find another one. If this one is so great you have to have it they should be more than willing to let you get someone to look at it. If it’s so much cheaper than all the other comparable vehicles out there and you think it’s a great “deal” you cant afford to not buy it, you still have a life lesson to learn.

Thank you, Bill. They agreed to PPI. I am having it done on Monday and then proceed based on what PPI results.
Car was serviced at Stevens Creek as per them it was in once for recommended service. They don't have any record of any issues reported by previous owner.