Newer cars don't come with service books any more ?

Soldato
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22 Feb 2014
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Went to look at an Octavia VRS today and when I asked to look at the paperwork all the dealer gave me was a handful of printouts from the internet
1 single MOT and 3/4 sheets showing it had been serviced at main Skoda dealers.
I did question it and they told me that this is normal now and a lot of the car manufacturers are going this way.
I have always had a book full of paperwork etc when buying in the past so it seemed a little odd to me, I won't be taking it to Skoda to get it serviced so I want something for my local garage to stamp to prove it has been serviced.

The car drove fine, was in good nick and low mileage but I'm slightly nervous of having so little information about its history.

is this normal ?
 
Yes many manufacturers just have a digital service record, if there any doubt whether it's genuine I think a manufacturer's dealership can print one out on request.
 
Normal. First car I had with a digital service record was a Mazda in 2015. None have had it since.

If you’re worried about the authenticity call the dealers listed to confirm.
 
Digital sounds like a good idea to me. Less chance (although not impossible) for lost records, especially if dealer serviced.

More will be doing this due to the ‘rona too. Mine is due for service next month and the dealer site says there will be no paperwork.
 
I think Nissan are going like this - I don't have any dealer specific service history paperwork for my Navara but they can print out the details if I request it.
 
VAG group is doing this on all their brands. I got one with my 16 Plate Leon but the parents didn't on an 18 Plate Ibiza.

No idea how something like this works when dealing with private garages though. I guess you'll just have to have a separate history of digital and physical paperwork.
 
No idea how something like this works when dealing with private garages though. I guess you'll just have to have a separate history of digital and physical paperwork.
Like this:
Any garage that wishes to register can update the online service history. It's almost like they thought that through :p

It's far, FAR better for it to be digital. No more "lost" service history, far more difficult to fake, and just as easy for DIY'ers to continue to keep a stack of receipts if that's what they want to do.
 
Lol, back street garages won't be doing that.
I don't think VW Group even charge for registering, so if you insist on taking it to somewhere that can't even be arsed to update a free online system, then yes you'll probably have to keep some receipts with the logbook instead.
 
Yeah some are digital
My 68 plate still had a physical book though
Personally would prefer to have both
I am just a belt and braces guy lol
Always like to have a backup/fallback option :)
 
I don't think VW Group even charge for registering, so if you insist on taking it to somewhere that can't even be arsed to update a free online system, then yes you'll probably have to keep some receipts with the logbook instead.

And useful to help us avoid used cars that are maintained on the cheap :D
 
You just know when it comes to sell that someone will want to see the book and if you don't have one they'll go to the next car that does.
 
You just know when it comes to sell that someone will want to see the book and if you don't have one they'll go to the next car that does.

At which point you say 'this car has a digital record' and in the case of the Skoda in the OP, you can show them the history in Skoda's app pretty much immediately or get a PDF copy in advance of selling from customer services if you're that worried about it (and they can also advise things such as recall works carried out and warranty work too).

People who refuse to buy cars that use digital history are going to be operating in an ever shrinking market, they'll wake up eventually.
 
You just know when it comes to sell that someone will want to see the book and if you don't have one they'll go to the next car that does.

If they’re so stupid as not to understand the concept of online records it’s probably best not to sell to them anyway.
 
Not all do and it's ******* annoying when trying to sell it. There is no guarantee the records will exist years down the line either. Someone has to maintain that database forever and they may not bother at some point, so get hard copies of it.

It's another case of the simple method is best.
 
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