Can anyone tell me how to check the service history of a car I'm considering buying?

[Brizo247]

Hi Folks newbie here.

I'm hankering after an E400 coupe and I've found one that looks good however it is from a private seller.

Is there any way to check the MB service history online? I tried carvertical but no joy.

If anyone on the forum has magic access the VIN is: WDD2073652F293623 happy to pay a fee etc

 

[Spider10]

Has the owner not got any paperwork?
Looks like its due transmission service this time round

 

[Brizo247]

He says he has however he was light on specifics and I'm at the other end of the country, I don't want to travel 400 miles to find that it's not been looked after as i know its a digital service record these days.

How do you know it needs a transmission service, please? I'm new to MB having come from owning many BMWs so any guidance would be very welcome.

 

[Spider10]

The online service booking is saying transmission as MB have services and then additional items added on due to time or mileage, so in theory it can have FSH but without the additional items being done on time bit of a minefield tbh but you get used to it
If you call MB Lincoln tomorrow they will probably give you all the history on file with the vin no (they do for me)

 

[Brizo247]

Awesome, thank you Sir!

 

[Smiley]

Ask the seller to take photos of the invoices; if the seller does not have the invoices then ask him/her to get them from MB,
Then you will know for sure what has or has not been done.
If the seller can't be bothered then don't bother with him/her.
Simples.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

A bit shy on Digital Service History.

02.10.2015 Service A 8,592 miles
02.12.2016 Service B 15,392 miles
11.12.2017 Service A 23,531 miles

 

[markjay]

A bit shy on Digital Service History.

02.10.2015 Service A 8,592 miles
02.12.2016 Service B 15,392 miles
11.12.2017 Service A 23,531 miles

I guess there's no way around asking the seller to show the service invoices from 2018 onwards.

 

[Brizo247]

Thank you, really kind of you to provide the information.

 

[Nat]

If there not willing to send the invoices, especially on a private sale then I'd let them know I'd be walking away, especially when it's not on your doorstep. If it's a car you really like then "gently remind them" as some sellers are a bit lazy and see the requests as "I'm sure it has everything and I'll do it later" but simply forget. It's your money but don't invest too much time into people who don't interact. Look at what they don't say as well as what they do say.
My tuppence worth and good luck.

 

[BlackC55]

You cant look but I can.

email over the chassis number

 

[Nat]

You cant look but I can.

email over the chassis number

Have you?

 

[Brizo247]

You cant look but I can.

email over the chassis number

Thank you, email on its way to [email protected] as I'm now looking at a different one.