Service History

[nunncm]

A few months back I picked a 05 A6 140 TDI Avant which I am very pleased with. It had done 60K but only had the first service in the book (so was missing one stamp and was due for a new service ) and when I contacted Audi they had no further records. The service indicator wasn't asking for a service so being optimistic I hoped that the service had been carried out by an independant or the owner. This was reflected in the price so I took the punt as I plan to keep this car for a long time so not worried about the re sale. I took the car to my local guy and he thought everything was fine.

So my question is that everyone insists that cars should have main dealer stamps in the book otherwise walk away. But as long as oil changes are regular what else is there that a main dealer would do that any other decent mechanic woudln't?

Regards

chazzee

[NikB]

if it sets your mind at ease I have 2 thoughts on this, the first is that a few years back we bought an A3 for my wife from an Audi main dealer, it was an approved used so as such had full service history it was only after checking the service book and the small print that full service history for an audi approved used car dosent necessarily mean audi service history and in fact the car we had bought had 2 independent services althought they where documented, the second is that realisticly an oil and filter change is probably the most important service item so as for the rest yes it's a look over, lube and a few other items done by main dealer but like I say any oil change is better than nothing.

hope this helps

[phil miller]

well id rather see indepent stamps in a service book mainly due to my opinion of main dealer servicing, ive had many (there is a dealer maybe 5 miles away) peugeots that have had a 36,000 mile service done by the dealer, then a couple of weeks later they come in for an MOT and the handbrake needs adjusting so you go to take the wheels off and they are solid IE had never been taken off even tho they should have been on the last service, its not just peugeots all main dealers do things like this, IMHO as long as the correct parts are fitted and the person doing the work isnt under pressure to rush the job then the job will be done properly, it makes me smile when people will walk away from buying a great car because the stamps in the book ARENT from a dealer, IMHO i wouldnt worry to much about the stamps or lack of them in your service book, by the sounds of it you will make sure its looked after now

[Audi Gav]

I recently traded my four year old A4 in against my current car at my local Audi dealer. Old car had 54000 on clock and the last two services were done by a local independent Audi specialist. Didn't seem to bother dealer at all. They were more concerned that the book was stamped rather than who had done it. I got good price for car and now on their forecourt as 'Audi approved'.

[nunncm]

Thats all for your comments. I've always used a trusted local guy who has never let me down. The other day my break light came on but the disks and pads are fine. He took the wheel off and reset the sensor at no additional cost. You wouldn't see that from a main dealer.

Cheers

Chazzee