Service record discrepancy

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Tue 30 Sep 2003 12:46
Service record discrepancy - Robin
I have a 5 year old VW Passat which I bought 2nd hand from a VW dealer about 3 years ago. I had the car serviced yesterday by an independent garage. When I collected the car the owner showed me that the car data panel in the service record book did not correspond to my car. My car is a petrol 1.8; the data panel is for a 1.9 TDi. The VIN in the service book does not correspond with the VIN on the car or on the V5. Fortunately, the car and the V5 do agree on the VIN. Clearly something amiss here. The garage only noticed yesterday because they used the data panel to order some spare parts. The first owners name is in the service book and this does correspond to the previous owner on the V5.

I have had the car serviced by VW until the service before last ? they did not notice this discrepancy. The supplying dealer has also had the car back a number of times for fault rectification and it was not noticed then either.

A couple of questions then. I assume this is an honest mistake ? the wrong data sheet being pasted into the book or the wrong service book being issued with the car when new. Could there be some darker explanation? I am selling the car soon; a sharp eyed person may also notice the discrepancy and start asking questions. What can I do about it? Can I ask VW for a new service book, fully stamped etc etc. I intend to visit the garage where I bought the car, and who have serviced it a couple of times, to ask them about it but expect to get the brush-off. Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

Robin
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Tue 30 Sep 2003 13:11
Service record discrepancy - Hugo {P}
"I intend to visit the garage where I bought the car, and who have serviced it a couple of times, to ask them about it but expect to get the brush-off."

If you do get the brush off - immediately demand to see the dealer principle.

If you still get no luck then VW UK and Trading Standards would be the way to go.

You should not expect to get the brush off from the VW dealer. You can expect the problem to be resolved.

I would have thought that if they can't. won't supply a new stamped up service sheet, then a letter on headed letter paper from them ackowledging the mistake and assuring that is has been noticed and containing and addendum to list the correct VIN number etc should suffice.

The potential buyer can at least go away and check this with the dealer concerned.

Hugo

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Tue 30 Sep 2003 13:25
Service record discrepancy - Robin
"I intend to visit the garage where I bought the car, and who have serviced it a couple of times, to ask them about it but expect to get the brush-off."

I guess this does sound a bit negative but is based on my experience of this particular dealer in the past. I hope of course to be proved wrong.
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Tue 30 Sep 2003 14:50
Service record discrepancy - Cardew
A friend of mine had exactly the same problem. He bought a 12 month old VW Bora V5 from a main VW agent and the servicing record book was for a 1.4 Golf. The service the Bora had received just before delivery had been duly entered in the Golf book.

VW at Milton Keynes eventually supplied a replacement book with all details of servicing correctly entered. Apparently this information is available from the VW computer; provided servicing has been carried out by a VW agent.
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Tue 30 Sep 2003 14:56
Service record discrepancy - Godfrey H {P}
Probaly nothing sinister, just a clerical error. I had this happen to me with a new car. Spotted it immediately and got a new log book. Yes I am that sad that I check the log book on a new car! In my defence I would say I've even had an incorrect V5 due to a clerical cock-up.
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