Is this dodgy? The log book looks "cooked"

[PMS]

Hey experts,

I bought a 07 Jetta (MY 0 in January, and did look at the log books when making the private purchase to ensure they had been serviced at a VW dealer out west. The stamps were there and it seemed ok... the km were mentioned next to the stamp and seemed very regular.

Now that I call the VW deadlership to ask for itemisation of what was covered in the service (as this section of the logbook seems to have been ignored) they tell me only the last entry is in their system as an oil change.

The other entries have the exact same stamp of the same VW dealer.

What do I do now? Obviously I am a bit stressed that I bought a lemon (not that I am skilled to notice the warning signs) and now have no idea what type of service is needed. It's at 56,000kms and almost 4 years old.

[stickshift3000]

Sounds strange...

Either the logbooks are false or someone at the dealer is lazy (who would take a car just for an oil change? Surely more work would have been performed).

[PMS]

I've spoken to the dealer and they are convinced that they have only even seen the car once.

Honestly, I am a little distraught now. I really don't know what to do about it, as it seems I have been sold a car that was not serviced properly (why else would they steal a stamp and use it throughout the logbook)? It also raises the question about recourse - What are my next steps, and what is the dealer's accountability seeing as it was indeed their stamps that were used and reassured me at time of purchase? I had no reason to distrust the seller at the time...

[Greg Roles]

Sounds like the former owner had a mate at that dealership, or that the dealership was slack with their paperwork. In the least, sounds like the oil was changed! I'd be disappointed too, but it's nowhere near unfixable I would think.

At least the kms are low for the years, and you don't have a DPF to worry about. In your shoes I'd be doing a few things required every two years / major service mark, such as brake fluid, fuel filter and the obvious oil change, just to be sure. You're also at the belt / pump time replacement mark, and whilst you may not want to do it straight away, I'd be saving up to get it done sooner rather than later. Put some fuel cleaner through her, and carry on.

[PMS]

Thanks for the reassurance, mate.
Ultimately, I need to know the history of the car I bought... it wasn't super cheap, and I obviously have all sorts of worst-case-scenarios going through my head. The dealer has an obligaton to protect their stamps, and their services hold no value if we cannot trust the stamp/brand. An employee could indeed have done some "favours" for the seller, and from what the dealer disclosed the same seller takes many cars to him for a quick oil change service and a stamp in the book.

I trusted the car had been serviced regularly at a VW dealer, and in fact the same dealership is stamped as receiving original delivery of the vehicle when it was brand new. The dealer told me that this is NOT the reality, and that it came from a Vic VW originally.

I have contact my legal-industry friends (lucky to have them!) and I am guessing this could get a little ugly... Liability for the stamps, their usage and distribution sits with VW at this stage.

[Greg Roles]

Ultimately VW can't be expected to keep their stamps under lock and key, and you as the buyer have indeed been fooled, but I don't think there's a lot you can do, the old "let the buyer beware" comes to mind. Ideally the oil should have been done at 15, 30 and 45k, so at 54k you are really only two out. It's not great, but I wouldn't sell the car over it. Still, your call, and you can always send a "heavy" letter to the former owner, might as well pass on the stress.

[Maverick]

Thanks for the reassurance, mate.
Ultimately, I need to know the history of the car I bought... it wasn't super cheap, and I obviously have all sorts of worst-case-scenarios going through my head. The dealer has an obligaton to protect their stamps, and their services hold no value if we cannot trust the stamp/brand. An employee could indeed have done some "favours" for the seller, and from what the dealer disclosed the same seller takes many cars to him for a quick oil change service and a stamp in the book.

The dealer has no obligation to protect their stamp. Volkswagen dealers can tell you the service history of a car as it's all logged when they are serviced.

I trusted the car had been serviced regularly at a VW dealer, and in fact the same dealership is stamped as receiving original delivery of the vehicle when it was brand new. The dealer told me that this is NOT the reality, and that it came from a Vic VW originally.

Have you performed a check of the cars registration history? This will tell you where is started out and who owned and how many owners it has had along with how many kms the car had each time it changed hands (if it indeed did). For around $35 it will give you some info about it.

I'm also a little confused by this as the car will come with a service schedule booklet, inside the front cover of this booklet is a sticker that has the cars details on it (VIN, engine number, type, options etc) and it will also have the date of delivery, the owners details on the next page plus dealer stamps on both these pages. It will also have a delivery inspection page stamped.

The first three services at 15,000/12 months, 30,000/24 months and 45,000/36 months will only have the oil change ticked and the rest left blank except for the brake fluid box at the 30,000/24 month service (may be some minor variances to this).

Even if they did purchase another service schedule booklet it wouldn't have the large sticker inside. It's conceivable that for some reason the services were not entered, ask the owner for a copy or the original invoices from the car being serviced.

I have contact my legal-industry friends (lucky to have them!) and I am guessing this could get a little ugly... Liability for the stamps, their usage and distribution sits with VW at this stage.

You're wasting your time there, VWA has no responsibility here, the dealers have no responsibility here. If the person selling it fudged the books it comes down to him and you have limited recourse.

What do I do now? Obviously I am a bit stressed that I bought a lemon (not that I am skilled to notice the warning signs) and now have no idea what type of service is needed. It's at 56,000kms and almost 4 years old.

Perform the 4 year 60K service, it covers everything including brake fluid so anything that has been missed will be covered.

[jazd]

It sounds like he has been copying the stamps himself somehow. I guess this is a warning to ring the dealer who supposedly serviced the car you are buying, I know I didn't even think about it and I'm guessing 90% of people wouldn't either.

[Maverick]

It sounds like he has been copying the stamps himself somehow. I guess this is a warning to ring the dealer who supposedly serviced the car you are buying, I know I didn't even think about it and I'm guessing 90% of people wouldn't either.

You can call any VW dealer to ask about the service history if the services were performed at a VW dealer but I don't know if you have to take the car in or drop in there in person to get a copy if they will give you one, they should at least be able to confirm it's service history verbally over the phone.

[poyta]

You can call any VW dealer to ask about the service history if the services were performed at a VW dealer but I don't know if you have to take the car in or drop in there in person to get a copy if they will give you one, they should at least be able to confirm it's service history verbally over the phone.

Agreed however how many do you know actually do this? Most people just trust the dealer stamps. I guess this is a lesson to us all. If you didn't ring the dealer to confirm or properly check its service history then unfortunately its your own fault for trusting the books and you have to live with the purchase.

Personally I think you're getting a little too worked up about 'potential' issues with the car. Just because the dealer has no record of a recent oil change and there's evidence of some dodgyness there's no reason to say that it wasn't done or that the car is a lemon - perhaps a service was done at another dealer, local mechanic or by the owner. I know on my old car I did a lot of the services and oil changes myself - my log book was not up to date with any dealer stamps but the car certainly was not neglected in any way.

[Maverick]

Agreed however how many do you know actually do this? Most people just trust the dealer stamps. I guess this is a lesson to us all. If you didn't ring the dealer to confirm or properly check its service history then unfortunately its your own fault for trusting the books and you have to live with the purchase.

I'm sure not many people do it, outside of Volkswagen (and I assume Audi/Skoda) I don't know if any of the other dealer networks log the services so that other dealers and the manufacturer can see them? The service book is only part of the checking I'd do buying a car, if you've buying a car privately I'd be asking to see the service invoices to see if there is anything noted on there and I'd expect to at least take a copy of these if I purchased the car. If the owner doesn't have these I'd be looking in a lot more detail. Registration checks are also useful as you can check kms each time it changes hands and see where it was first sold etc for around $35.

Personally I think you're getting a little too worked up about 'potential' issues with the car. Just because the dealer has no record of a recent oil change and there's evidence of some dodgyness there's no reason to say that it wasn't done or that the car is a lemon - perhaps a service was done at another dealer, local mechanic or by the owner. I know on my old car I did a lot of the services and oil changes myself - my log book was not up to date with any dealer stamps but the car certainly was not neglected in any way.

I agree, I'm dubious about the service book being altered and suspect it may have been a stuffup where the services were not attributed to the vehicle perhaps by dealer error.

[maxrob200]

I have heard of dodgy service books and also of instances of "speedo george" resetting the odometer on cars. It depends on the seller as well as the type of car. Most times I have asked for invoices pertaining to the service recorded in the logbook or repair dockets. Other times the PO has volunteered to contact the dealership to obtain copies of service dockets. I suppose a good 4 year service by a good workshop should allay any fears of the condition of your car

[Nathan_B]

I understand others have stated the dealer has no obligations regarding the stamps.. Have you tried visiting the dealer with the log book and asked them to explain how their stamps magically appeared in the book? Would imagine face to face would yeild better results then over the phone?

[Maverick]

I understand others have stated the dealer has no obligations regarding the stamps.. Have you tried visiting the dealer with the log book and asked them to explain how their stamps magically appeared in the book? Would imagine face to face would yeild better results then over the phone?

Shouldn't the OP actually get his facts right before going off half cocked throwing around accusations? What you suggested is a good way to ensure you get no help from the dealer.

[johnw]

I am a bit stressed that I bought a lemon (not that I am skilled to notice the warning signs) and now have no idea what type of service is needed. It's at 56,000kms and almost 4 years old.

I am no expert but if a car has not been serviced regularly and have done 56000Km without showing any signs or problems, then to me it is definitely NOT a lemon, if you know what I mean.

When I got my, then 7 yr old, A3, the books were a bit strange with no details available on what exactly has been done. I just changed all the fluids when I got it and then most of the consumables slowly (+ mods) and it hasn't missed a beat.

Like others say, if it's running fine, do a major service and carry on. You can stress about all the possible wear and tear from the supposed lack of service, but at the end of the day if it's running fine then it should be fine . I've seen cars with full service history at VW dealer with heaps of problems, go figure