Using VIN To Get Maintenance Record - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

KevinH1990 · 03-03-2006, 06:30 PM

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.

Brucelee · 03-03-2006, 06:38 PM

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.

KevinH1990 · 03-03-2006, 06:43 PM

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.

MNBoxster · 03-03-2006, 10:44 PM

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

MLegere · 03-03-2006, 11:48 PM

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.

sdkkv · 03-04-2006, 03:46 AM

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.

Brucelee · 03-04-2006, 06:37 AM

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

cplus · 03-04-2006, 07:01 AM

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.

Brucelee · 03-04-2006, 07:35 AM

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!

MNBoxster · 03-04-2006, 11:27 AM

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

Brucelee · 03-04-2006, 11:58 AM

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.