full service history VS full dealer service history

arran123

i've seen many advertisements for cars, some saying full service history and others say full dealer service history.

Is there any difference?

thanks

Foxy-Stoat_3

Dealer history normally means serviced by the main dealer, full service history would probably be a mix of dealer and other garages or people not advertising that it was serviced solely at the main dealer.

How old and whats the mileage of the car(s) your looking at, and what make?

OddballJamie

Full dealer service history will be done at a main dealer to the service schedule using original parts and the recommend fluids. You can also contact them and request a full print out of work that's been carried out. It will also be up to date with software and recalls.

Full service history may be done at non main dealer garage, could be independents, could also be large chains, KwikFit, Halfords. Possibly some main dealer thrown in at the beginning.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Obviously a dealer history is by the makers dealer network, FSH could be by anyone.

Depends what full means though.

In too many cases the history stopped 3 years and 45k miles ago.

The best ads and those that make me travel (and i do pay over the odds for the right car thats been more than basically serviced, but i buy slightly more rare cars) are those who list dates mileages and name the servicing workshops, preferably backed up by a folder full of old receipts and old MOTs for confrimation available for perusal of travelling buyer.

My own views are i fully expect a car to be serviced within the dealer network on time and within mileage for at least its warranty period, sensible first owner planning that.

Subsequent services i prefer to see being done by a good make specialist indy who tend to do more prevantive stuff like transmission fluid changes, but main dealer will do as a close second.

Services done on the cheap by fast fit chains don't instill me with confidence but better than no history at all, at the very least they will have bunged some new oil and a new filter on, which seems beyond the wit of increasing numbers of car owners.

goonarmy

Neither is higher in value than the other, unless your buying a prestige motor. Then money spent no questions asked at a main dealers might be prefferential.

jase1

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Services done on the cheap by fast fit chains don't instill me with confidence but better than no history at all, at the very least they will have bunged some new oil and a new filter on, which seems beyond the wit of increasing numbers of car owners.

So how would a big pile of receipts from a local back-street garage (rather than specialist) hit you (all the same place, servicing plus repairs/MOT/belt changes on time etc)?

gilbert_and_sullivan

jase1 wrote: »

So how would a big pile of receipts from a local back-street garage (rather than specialist) hit you (all the same place, servicing plus repairs/MOT/belt changes on time etc)?

Depends on the car, common cars that would do me fine, but some cars MB's BMW's etc and increasingly Diesels of all makes are best looked after by specialists IMHO.

You wouldn't want a back street or fast fit serviced Impreza/AMG.

jase1

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Depends on the car, common cars that would do me fine, but some cars MB's BMW's etc and increasingly Diesels of all makes are best looked after by specialists IMHO.

You wouldn't want a back street or fast fit serviced Impreza/AMG.

Yup, would agree with that (I was just thinking of cooking Fords/VW/Mitsu here).

arran123

Foxy-Stoat wrote: »

Dealer history normally means serviced by the main dealer, full service history would probably be a mix of dealer and other garages or people not advertising that it was serviced solely at the main dealer.

How old and whats the mileage of the car(s) your looking at, and what make?

55 plate, 540000, peugeot

Iceweasel

arran123 wrote: »

55 plate, 540000, peugeot

Wow! - over half a million miles on a Peugot! - what a car! :rotfl:

Foxy-Stoat_3

Clearly added too many "0's"

As long as the first 3 years is main dealer them FSH is as good as FPSH for me...others may disagree.