How to spot a fake service book when buying a used car

A car that has been regularly serviced by an authorized dealer has a much higher value on the secondary market. This is a kind of additional confidence for the buyer that the car is technically sound, and all its parts will work out their intended service life. That is why there is a high risk of encountering a fake service book or individual entries in it, in order to pass off a dubious car as a successful purchase.

A service book is not only a guarantee that only original spare parts and consumables from reputable manufacturers are used in the car. In this document, all work performed is tied to the mileage of the car, so the presence of a completed book confirms that the mileage on the car is not twisted.

As a rule, even if the car’s warranty has long expired, the service record is an additional justification for a slightly higher price. The modern level of printing and its accessibility make it possible to forge both individual records and the entire document for very little money, which will pay for itself many times over when selling a supposedly officially serviced car, so the buyer needs to carefully check this paper to ensure its authenticity.

As a rule, they start manipulating the service book only when you are dealing with a car restored after a serious accident, after replacing the main components and assemblies with contract ones, and underestimating the actual mileage. Even if the car has not been serviced by an official dealer, but arrives in good condition and has no hidden defects, the presence of a service book (unless we are talking about a business class car) will not greatly affect its price. That is why, if fraud is detected, you should refuse the purchase, even if the seller makes a serious discount.

Find out what the service book looks like for a specific model. Including its internal pages

First of all, even before inspecting the car, you need to find out from the official dealer what the service book looks like for this particular model, and whether it has changed depending on the year of manufacture. This way you can protect yourself from buying a car with papers from a completely different car, since it is much easier to fake the year and make than the entire document. Particular attention should be paid to the quality of printing, paper, the presence of logos and holographic stickers.

After inspecting the car, don’t be lazy to check its history using the VIN number, including abroad, using specialized Internet services.

Is it possible to restore a service book for a car?

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  • How to restore a service book
  • How to recover a lost work book
  • How to restore a work book after loss
  • — name of the dealership where the car was purchased;
  • — contact information for communication with an official dealer.

The period of the factory warranty, during which a duplicate service book is not issued, varies from company to company. Check with your dealer.

When buying a used car, read the service book; if the seller did not provide it to you (referring to the loss), perhaps he has something to hide. Most likely, the car was involved in an accident and was repaired.

If you are the first owner of the car and actually lost the service book, then its absence (loss) is not a reason to deny you a warranty on the car.

Not only the first owner of the car has the opportunity to restore the service book. Subsequent owners, under certain conditions, can also restore it.

Try to undergo technical inspection at the same service center.

While I'm waiting for a response from Kia.com, I want to share the following observations about car servicing:

1. If you lose your service book, it is possible to restore it according to the instructions on the first page of the book.2. Ask the dealer to indicate the condition of the body and the length of the warranty.

3. Keep all supporting documents confirming the completion of maintenance.

Question for experts: we bought a car, but lost sight of the warranty card, it turned out when we took the car to the service center. All other documents are available. What to do in this case? The previous owner also does not have a warranty card.

Sincerely, Oksana St. Petersburg

Best answers

the presence, as well as the absence, of a warranty card (essentially just a PAPER) does NOT in any way affect the OBLIGATIONS of the seller and the RIGHTS of the buyer

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Article 19. Time limits for submitting claims by the consumer regarding product defects

1. The consumer has the right to present requirements provided for in Article 18 of this Law to the seller (manufacturer, authorized organization or authorized individual entrepreneur, importer) regarding defects in the goods if they are discovered during the warranty period or expiration date.

In relation to goods for which warranty periods or expiration dates have not been established, the consumer has the right to make these demands if defects in the goods are discovered within a reasonable time, but within two years from the date of their transfer to the consumer, unless longer periods are established by law or contract.

2. The warranty period of the product, as well as its service life, is calculated from the day the product is transferred to the consumer, unless otherwise provided by the contract. If the day of delivery cannot be determined, these periods are calculated from the date of manufacture of the goods.

Throw it in a landfill.

What kind of coupon is this not for you to hand over a laptop under warranty?

Why do you need a warranty card? If I understand correctly, the car is used? Or is it still under warranty?

Not all manufacturers have warranty cards for cars. Usually a service book is enough. The date of sale is also indicated there. The warranty period still starts from the date of sale. And this is in the general dealer database.

service book - yes, they restored it at my car wash, apparently they spun it off from the glove compartment - went to the seller - they made a duplicate (no questions) and no time

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