Used Car - No supporting invoices.

Cinzano_Bianco

Hi All,

I have recently bought a car via eBay and the description stated a FSH along with other work carried out.

I collected the car and was given the owners wallet and a folder of paperwork but for some silly reason did not check it there and then.

The car does have a fully stamped up service book although 2 of the services were not dated and the last owner used the same garage so no reason to doubt the history at this point.

The folder of history contains invoices for parts but no service invoices what so ever. The last service included a cam belt change so an invoice would have been nice.

I contacted the seller and he said he would forward on anything he may have forgot and to his credit I received an invoice for a clutch but that’s it.

I then contacted the garage who the stamp relates to and they say because of DPA they won’t release or tell me anything but will give it to the last owner.

I have emailed and messaged via eBay but have has no reply in over a month.

The car has been in to my trusted specialist and all is good, a few problems but for what I paid fixing them would still put me way under what the car is worth.

So, do I peruse the last owner and garage for the invoices or just leave it? 

If the last owner said that it was an off the books arrangement on the auction or at collection then I’d have been fine but it’s the lack of contact that’s bugged me!

What are your thoughts? Am I over thinking things and need to just enjoy my bargain or could there be something more sinister behind the lack of contact and the garages attitude?

Thanks for taking the time to read my essay!

born_again

Stamped book = FSH.
We don't get a invoice with any of our services. Might be because we have a service plan, rather than paying at the time.

If any of the invoices, have owners details on then they are correct. They can not supply them to you. Just the same as the V5 no longer has previous owner details on it.

Goudy

If it appears a good car and there does appear evidence it's been looked after, I would be happy enough.

Sounds like the last owner hasn't just ignored you but forwarded on what he had, but they'll be unlikely to waste time and money chasing up records from garages for work done long ago in the past and if it's had more than one owner they may never have had them to start with.

And to be totally honest, you missed the chance to corroborate all the service documents and invoices when you collected the car, so count on what was sent to you as a bonus.

shiraz99

It's always nice to have a load of receipts and paperwork when you buy used car but it isn't the be all and end all, what's important is that it was serviced and you have a history of that.

diystarter7

shiraz99 said:

It's always nice to have a load of receipts and paperwork when you buy used car but it isn't the be all and end all, what's important is that it was serviced and you have a history of that.

Receipts do back up, give confidence but as the car gets older many people lose them
I'm not 100% but dads Mercedes bought new has paperwork service records and an eletronic one as all of his services are at MB.

Best to go prepared write down what you need to ask, see and check, this is what I do. As once you are off, things get more tricky.

As the car gets older, its more to do with recent history, appearcne etc unless its a classic car.

From your post OP, I think the cars ok and there is not a lot more you can do. Reduce stress and enjoy your car and forget about the paperwok that is not there.

chrisw

I recently sold my car to one of these we buy any car type places. I deliberately removed any invoices or paperwork which had my name and address on as there's no knowing where it all might end up.

Cinzano_Bianco

Thank you everyone for your thoughts.

I know it’s totally on me for not checking the paperwork there and then but for the 1st time in a long time I was dazzled by my new to me toy! 

The thing that makes no sense is I have invoices from that garage for non servicing work, invoices from other places too all with his address and contact details. 

It is just the servicing work that has no paperwork along with invoices for key selling point work. 

I’m really just beating my self up over a silly mistake on my part but the money I saved more than makes up for it!

Thanks Again