How to get service records?

[primarycolorman]

I'm shopping for a bmw 540, whats the easiest way to get the service record history? Is there a single national phone number I can call with the VIN, or do I have to track down the dealerships it has been through?

[Bimmin'88]

CarFax.com As far as service records if you go through a BMW dealer they useually don't transfer the records. But they inspect and waranty the vehicle if it is good enough to waranty if its not in good shape they usualy sell those ones to the smaller lots. Private Party.....if they don't have records.....I wouldn't buy it! As far as getting records....unless all the service has been performed throught the dealer I think your out of luck. I could be wrong though.

[walt525tour]

I just bought a '95 525ita from a private owner.
95% of the service had been done at a single dealer, while it was under warranty.
They gave me receipts for the 5% that had been done by a shop since it went out of warranty.

Their BMW dealer printed out for them a 96 page service record summary that they gave to me.

Alot of good info especially as the car has 124K on it and I will be replacing and maintaining numerous things.

Good to know for example when the brakes were done last.
And also to see that they took good care of it and it had regular changes and services.

ask and you shall receive.


Before they sent me the records I also had a phone conversation with the BMW service dept. they had used and the manager pulled up the records and told me that it had a new radiator at 65K and the water pump had never been replaced.

I have found the BMW dealers to be very helpful - expensive when you use them for repairs but willing to give info and explain things.

my local BMW dealer parts dept. has been helpful also. Even though I buy everything I can online and just go to them for the little connector parts and the dealer only items.