Dealer Maintenance Records?

[Mr. Detail]

Heh Guys & Gals;
I plan to take a look at a used 2002 V70 tomorrow morning with the hope of purchasing it. In the seller's ad, he wrote "The car has been very well maintained through the dealer".

My question is how do I obtain maintenance records from the dealer? I would obviously need the VIN, which I presently have but do I need to wait until I actually own the car or cab these records be obtained ahead of time?

Thanks!

[June]

The owner should have the service tickets and show you, carfax also lists dealer work but not every detail. Also the servicing dealer has the car's file. June

[93SCMax]

Rule 1: When buying a used car from an unknown entity, always ask the owner to share the maintenance records and receipts. If they say it's been maintained, but have no or limited records, walk away. The burden of proof is on the seller, not the buyer.

Good luck.

[oragex]

Ask the seller in advance where was the car serviced, then go see that dealer and kindly ask them to show this on their computer with the car's VIN (some may even be kind enough to print if for you if you purchased the car)

[Mr. Detail]

Thanks much everyone for your good responses.

[Mr. Detail]

Just found out the dealer who serviced this car and I called them up just now. They told me that the owner of the car (not me yet) would have to call them to release the maintenance records. I guess I have to hope now that when I meet the owner tomorrow a.m., he has some records for me to view in person.

[Georgeandkira]

Even if he doesn't he can OK the release of the "sacred files". They spit these things out all the time. That isn't to say common courtesy isn't called for.
If a seller refuses to do so definitely walk away because he's flat out lying.
Part of the value of dealer servicing is the proof at selling time.

Get your '02 good and warmed up on a highway test drive THEN poop about town at middling speeds. This will force the transmission to "make decisions". Choppy shifting is more likely to occur at this time. Find some hills for this part of the test drive.

How many miles on this puppy? FWD or AWD? I had 198,600 on my '02 base when I sold it to the FIRST GUY WHO TEST DROVE IT.

Also, CarFax may or may not have R&M data. Perhaps Volvo has a policy whereby they report everything they do to a car and maybe they don't. The Volvo dealer I dealt with in Maryland did. I've seen CarFaxes with no appreciable information.

PERSONAL NOTE: Check the records to see if the "J" hose has been replaced. It's part of the EVAP system. It's shaped like a "J" to hug the dimensions of the charcoal canister. Mine went. It was a $20 part of unbelievably cheap construction. It was as thin as the strap on a jelly flip flop. I cannot see any one of them not failing. It's funny too as every other piece of under-car hosing is of familiar, reinforced fuel line type.

[cn90]

- Go to dealer and ask for service records. They will print it for you minus the previous owner's name.

- BTW, stay away from 2001-2002 models. Go for 2004-2006 models.

[Mr. Detail]

145k miles on a 2002 V70 FWD.

cn90; why are you against the 2001-02 models? It's a little late now for me to change my mind about driving 100
miles on this info.

[abscate]

If your 2001-2 drives well don’t worry about it. The early 5 speed transmission had issues if they were abused but change your ATF regularity and fear not.

I’ve got the “ horrible “ETS on m7 99 which has been replaced once at 137k miles, otherwise trouble free ( and no cap rotor wires IAC or cruise control failures)

DIY Fora tend to bias to failures by nature of the audience, people come here in trouble, while the ones in Volvo bliss stay away.