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Old 03-03-2006, 06:30 PM   #1
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Using VIN To Get Maintenance Record

If I take the Vehicle Identification Number of the car I am interested in buying to a Porsche dealer, can they print the record of all dealer-performed maintenance? Does the work have to have been performed at that dealership or can it be any dealership?

I understand that I should expect to pay a fee for this service. Does anyone have an estimate of the fee.

Thanks again for the help.

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Old 03-03-2006, 06:38 PM   #2
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Any dealer can tell you what warranty work was performed on a Porsche if you have the VIN.

Regarding maint work, the dealer can only tell you what work that dealership has performed.

Now, most dealers will provide this info to a buyer but some will not.

Hope that helps.
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Old 03-03-2006, 06:43 PM   #3
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Thanks. That explains the seemingly conflicting information I've heard from various parties. Also, I didn't phrase my question correctly.

So, if an engine was replaced under warranty, any dealer should be able to confirm this with just the VIN. However, they wouldn't be able to tell me if the oil had been changed regularly.
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Old 03-03-2006, 10:44 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brucelee
Any dealer can tell you what warranty work was performed on a Porsche if you have the VIN.

Regarding maint work, the dealer can only tell you what work that dealership has performed.

Now, most dealers will provide this info to a buyer but some will not.

Hope that helps.
Hi,

Not Necessarily... a Buddy had an engine replaced
on his '04 'S' due to Catastrophic RMS and Intermediate Shaft Failure at 4k mi. and Porsche Modified the VIN and Build records to reflect the New Engine as Original... Granted, his attorney threatened litigation, but this was the result... Anyone researching this Car will not find the Engine replacement using the VIN or Dealer accessible records...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99
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Old 03-03-2006, 11:48 PM   #5
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I used the VIN to determin my car had the RMS replaced twice, my car was now out of warrany but after pitcing a ******************** I got it replaced for 384.00 and also got a two yr and 24k warranty.
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Old 03-04-2006, 03:46 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MNBoxster
Hi,

Not Necessarily... a Buddy had an engine replaced
on his '04 'S' due to Catastrophic RMS and Intermediate Shaft Failure at 4k mi. and Porsche Modified the VIN and Build records to reflect the New Engine as Original... Granted, his attorney threatened litigation, but this was the result... Anyone researching this Car will not find the Engine replacement using the VIN or Dealer accessible records...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99
Lots of people would be surprised how often stuff like this happens both in warranty and even out of warranty. I see it all the time from the manufacturers. GM, Ford and DCX are the major ones but everyone does it. It normally goes like this....Dealer does the work (at warranty rate but not under warranty) and the manufacturer makes the payment as Goodwill or Factory Assistance. That payment can either be to the dealer or the customer as reimbursement. By doing it this way the OEM's are able to submit different data to JD Power, etc... on failure rates and customer satisfaction issues since they didn't provide the repair under warranty or admit fault.
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Old 03-04-2006, 06:37 AM   #7
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That is of course illegal (federal statutes) and in some states, the person doing the mod can be jailed for a felony (state statutes).

Are you sure your Buddy is being straight with you on this story?




Quote:
Originally Posted by MNBoxster
Hi,

Not Necessarily... a Buddy had an engine replaced
on his '04 'S' due to Catastrophic RMS and Intermediate Shaft Failure at 4k mi. and Porsche Modified the VIN and Build records to reflect the New Engine as Original... Granted, his attorney threatened litigation, but this was the result... Anyone researching this Car will not find the Engine replacement using the VIN or Dealer accessible records...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99
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Old 03-04-2006, 07:01 AM   #8
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I tried to get this information out of my local dealer before I bought my Box last year. I *think* the dealer even sold the car to the first owner. They couldn't confirm that they sold the car and wouldn't tell me about any warranty work done to the car, even though I could clearly see the guy scrolling through a list work items, so your milage may vary.

I'm just glad that there's a top-notch independent Porsche specialist nearby as I won't be using the dealer's service department any time soon.
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Old 03-04-2006, 07:35 AM   #9
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Talking

Yes, some dealers will NOT release this info, even after you have purchased the car. Of course, who would use them for service after that?

Go figure!
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Old 03-04-2006, 11:27 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brucelee
That is of course illegal (federal statutes) and in some states, the person doing the mod can be jailed for a felony (state statutes).

Are you sure your Buddy is being straight with you on this story?
Hi,

Yep - Positive - I've seen the Paperwork...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99
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Old 03-04-2006, 11:58 AM   #11
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If I understand what you described, Porsche physically changed the VIN on the car when they swapped the motor.

To my knowledge, this would clearly be illegal unless this car was then submitted for a salvaged title and a new VIN #.

If I understand this correctly, your friend should simply call the DMV or state attorney general.
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Old 03-04-2006, 12:05 PM   #12
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From Federal Regs/statutes


TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 25 > § 511 Prev | Next

§ 511. Altering or removing motor vehicle identification numbers


Release date: 2005-08-03

(a) A person who—
(1) knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters an identification number for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part; or
(2) with intent to further the theft of a motor vehicle, knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act,
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(b)
(1) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration by a person specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection (unless such person knows that the vehicle or part involved is stolen).
(2) The persons referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection are—
(A) a motor vehicle scrap processor or a motor vehicle demolisher who complies with applicable State law with respect to such vehicle or part;
(B) a person who repairs such vehicle or part, if the removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration is reasonably necessary for the repair;
(C) a person who restores or replaces an identification number for such vehicle or part in accordance with applicable State law; and
(D) a person who removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, if that person is the owner of the motor vehicle, or is authorized to remove, obliterate, tamper with or alter the decal or device by—
(i) the owner or his authorized agent;
(ii) applicable State or local law; or
(iii) regulations promulgated by the Attorney General to implement the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act.
(c) As used in this section, the term—
(1) “identification number” means a number or symbol that is inscribed or affixed for purposes of identification under chapter 301 and part C of subtitle VI of title 49;
(2) “motor vehicle” has the meaning given that term in section 32101 of title 49;
(3) “motor vehicle demolisher” means a person, including any motor vehicle dismantler or motor vehicle recycler, who is engaged in the business of reducing motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts to metallic scrap that is unsuitable for use as either a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle part;
(4) “motor vehicle scrap processor” means a person—
(A) who is engaged in the business of purchasing motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts for reduction to metallic scrap for recycling;
(B) who, from a fixed location, uses machinery to process metallic scrap into prepared grades; and
(C) whose principal product is metallic scrap for recycling;
but such term does not include any activity of any such person relating to the recycling of a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle part as a used motor vehicle or a used motor vehicle part.
(d) For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the term “tampers with” includes covering a program decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act for the purpose of obstructing its visibility.

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Old 03-04-2006, 09:47 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brucelee
If I understand what you described, Porsche physically changed the VIN on the car when they swapped the motor.

To my knowledge, this would clearly be illegal unless this car was then submitted for a salvaged title and a new VIN #.

If I understand this correctly, your friend should simply call the DMV or state attorney general.
Hi,

Misunderstanding... the VIN remained the same, Only the other paperwork was altered to show the replacement engine as original - Build Sheets, Dealer Data... No reason to change the VIN because this does not indicate an Engine Serial # in it...sorry for the confusion...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99
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Old 03-05-2006, 06:17 AM   #14
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Understood Jim. I was hoping that we didn't need to jail any Porsche employees. Bad for business!

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Old 03-07-2006, 08:58 AM   #15
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With this crime you must have this element......(2) with intent to further the theft of a motor vehicle. Key words...INTENT and THEFT. Just thought I would share.

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