Obtaining historical records

[Starter986]

A reasonable dealer, agent, or authority would release/reveal the service records absent any personally identifiable information.

But, nooooooooooooooooooo.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Starter986

A reasonable dealer, agent, or authority would release/reveal the service records absent any personally identifiable information.

But, nooooooooooooooooooo.

If they did, they would be in direct violation of the court ruling. The issue is not the owner's identity, it is the fact that they own the information, not the dealer.

[ty_wheels]

why would an owner of the car 12 years ago care about releasing information now,
it's directly related to the car, not the owner.

It is very natural that a car will have multiple owner during its life,
and the information about a car's history since purchased new should
be available to any new owner.

I don't understand what is the big deal here

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by ty_wheels

why would an owner of the car 12 years ago care about releasing information now,
it's directly related to the car, not the owner.

It is very natural that a car will have multiple owner during its life,
and the information about a car's history since purchased new should
be available to any new owner.

I don't understand what is the big deal here

The "big deal" is that the federal courts ruled shops cannot release the data without permission, period. So regardless of anyone's opinion on the subject, it is what we have to deal with. This has even cost the shops money as we are now required to store all such data "in a secure location which complies with federal guidelines".

It is no different than a four lane, wide open roadway with a 25 MPH speed limit, you ignore it at your own peril...………...

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

"in a secure location which complies with federal guidelines"

I know that burden. Thank you for the explanation.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by ty_wheels

why would an owner of the car 12 years ago care about releasing information now,
it's directly related to the car, not the owner.

It is very natural that a car will have multiple owner during its life,
and the information about a car's history since purchased new should
be available to any new owner.

I don't understand what is the big deal here

Looks like the big deal is because of the lawyers.

[ty_wheels]

when I wrote "big deal" I did not mean to disrespect the law,
I understand this had a ruling, my question was why, what is the big
deal in keeping these records confidential ?

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by ty_wheels

when I wrote "big deal" I did not mean to disrespect the law,
I understand this had a ruling, my question was why, what is the big
deal in keeping these records confidential ?

Good question. Who knows. But if JFP in PA says it's a thing, then it's a thing. I'm just as baffled about it as you.

I still blame it on the lawyers!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by piper6909

Good question. I guess some former owners are concerned about being sued for negligence, if a lack of maintenance was found that led to an accident? It's the only thing I can think of. Or privacy issues? Who knows. But if JFP in PA says it's a thing, then it's a thing. I'm just as baffled about it as you.

It has to do with new car dealerships selling information about their customers to firms that compile statistical automotive data; someone somewhere took exception to the dealerships making money off of their information without them even knowing about it. When the dealers did not share the $, and showed no inclination to stop doing it, someone file suit over who "owned" the information, and was therefore entitled to any $ associated with its dissemination or use.

A couple of the usual ambulance chasers saw a chance to make money off of this and turned the filing into a class action, where anyone that had bought a car or had it serviced was entitled to damages, which they had to share with the ambulance chasers. Because the problem crossed state lines, it became a federal legal matter, which means the ruling affects every shop in the country.

Next thing you know, your service data became akin to a national secret. This was your classical pyric victory for the car owners, as very few actually got more than lunch money out of the settlement, the industry is saddled with rules requiring secure storage protection for all customer information, which raised service costs, which were promptly added to every service invoice. Only the lawyers actually won anything of consequence...……..