Purchasing Used - Dealer Won't Provide Maintenance History

[AlphaBravo]

Hello all.

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have finally decided that I need a pick-up truck, and I found one in the price range that I am comfortable with. It has approximately 25,000 miles on it, and it is being sold by a Ford dealer. The dealer doesn't participate in Carfax (and I verified that there is no Carfax maintenance history), so I asked about service and maintenance records for the vehicle. The salesperson said that the vehicle has been maintained and serviced at his dealer, but he won't allow me to see the service/maintenance records, claiming that it would violate the prior owner's privacy. I asked him to cover up or redact the prior owner's information, but he still won't provide those records. He has provided the dealer's most recent Inspection Report from almost five months ago when the vehicle was first listed for sale, and that shows an oil change, and he has stated the year and month of the other four oil changes, but he won't allow me to see the actual records.

Any suggestions on how to go about getting the maintenance records? The vehicle has been for sale for almost five months, and it appears that they are willing to lose a potential sale because they don't want to show me the maintenance records. Should I even pursue a purchase on this vehicle?

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[Kanuck]

I would question as to what they are hiding from you. What type of truck is it?

 

[AlphaBravo]

It is an F-150 XL with the STX package.

 

[Kanuck]

It still may have gremlins that they can't fix. If you have the VIN..... post it here...maybe someone can find something.

I still would not take the chance....just because of what are they are trying to hide. Any warranty left?

 

[AlphaBravo]

There is over a year and over 10,000 miles remaining on the 3/36 warranty.

 

[ChemGuy]

I'm not sure why a dealership wouldn't show maintenance history especially if they claim to have done it all but it's not a good look IMO. I would walk away from that deal. There are plenty of trucks out there for sale.

 

[Kanuck]

How fast would you go through the 10k miles?

 

[Kanuck]

A bought my 2011 f 150 and the dealer provided a list of work they had done to the truck. They sold the truck to the first owner and did all the work. The list only showed date, mileage and what was done. No names or any other info.

 

[m_bt54]

Post the truck’s vin on the vin lookup thread with a request for the history and someone here will pull it up for you. Be sure to specify what you are looking for otherwise you might just get a list of updates available.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/request-vin-lookup-thread.13393/page-428

 

[sbi]

I would look for another vehicle and certainly another dealer. There is probably a good reason why this truck is waiting to be sold for 5 months and they refuse to show you records.

 

[Snakebitten]

In my Ford account I have the option (I believe) to transfer/release all my services history with the vehicle if I were to choose.
That implies that there probably are lawyers involved?

Crazy world we live in.

 

[fmdog44]

Hello all.

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have finally decided that I need a pick-up truck, and I found one in the price range that I am comfortable with. It has approximately 25,000 miles on it, and it is being sold by a Ford dealer. The dealer doesn't participate in Carfax (and I verified that there is no Carfax maintenance history), so I asked about service and maintenance records for the vehicle. The salesperson said that the vehicle has been maintained and serviced at his dealer, but he won't allow me to see the service/maintenance records, claiming that it would violate the prior owner's privacy. I asked him to cover up or redact the prior owner's information, but he still won't provide those records. He has provided the dealer's most recent Inspection Report from almost five months ago when the vehicle was first listed for sale, and that shows an oil change, and he has stated the year and month of the other four oil changes, but he won't allow me to see the actual records.

Any suggestions on how to go about getting the maintenance records? The vehicle has been for sale for almost five months, and it appears that they are willing to lose a potential sale because they don't want to show me the maintenance records. Should I even pursue a purchase on this vehicle?

Sitting for five months is all the red flag you need. Run away.

 

[Dakar09]

There is no violation of the previous owner's privacy if they share service records. The truck has issues they aren't willing to disclose. And also consider how your interactions would go with that dealer should you have issues.

I'd walk...or run

 

[DBL R]

If the dealership is this difficult to deal with to give them money, they will be a nightmare when you need something from them. Walk.

 

[jp1450]

Personally, I would look elsewhere. Something is shady here. Hopefully someone here can help with more details. If you are set on getting this truck, you might consider getting your friendly neighborhood mechanic to give it the once-over. Also, what about running a Carfax report? Not the best option, but it may show some details...

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