Why dont people keep service records?

[Gas Man]

Why don't we just merge this thread with the original?

Oh and I fixed the poll.

[Rangerscott]

I just switched my ER-6N over to synthetic and I'm not even going to write it down.

[101lifts2]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

You THINK it doesn't change your selling price, but I'd wager that a person who can document what he's done comes across as more professional and can justify asking for more than the average person.

And you said it might take longer to sell.....So isn't that an inconvenience to you? IMO that's a bigger inconvenience than saving your receipts.

I mean some of you guys act like putting a piece of paper into a manilla folder in yoru drawer is so difficult. I just don't get it.

Keeping service records IMO is only good to prove your engine didn't blow due to lack of maintence for a warranty claim. It doesn't increase the value at all. Dealer's go by wholesale numbers.

In my dealer mechanic days, I used to do used car inspections and then fix whatever was broke. There are things you look for to determine maintenance in the tranny fluid, engine oil and coolant. Look under the engine oil cap, smell the trans fluid and look at the color of the engine coolant. Then of course you test drive it.

I would say things you cannot detect like a timing belt record would be useful, but if the motor doesn't slap the valves when the belt breaks, I'd say just run the engine until it breaks. You can probably get 2x the life out of a stock belt vs. what the manual says.

I only keep records in my head.

[Tmall]

Originally Posted by Gas Man

Why don't we just merge this thread with the original?

Oh and I fixed the poll.

Good call. This place is way too busy to follow two threads..

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by anthonyk

Never owned anything with a warranty, so dealers haven't ever been a concern. Don't care about resale, either. If a potential buyer walks because I don't have receipts, there'll be someone else along shortly who doesn't care.

If I ever get a vehicle with less than 100k on the clock to start with, maybe I'll think about keeping records.

I do try to jot down most stuff for the bike, though. Dates of tires, oil changes, valve checks with clearances noted, etc. I don't bother with receipts, though.

[Gas Man]

Originally Posted by Tmall

Good call. This place is way too busy to follow two threads..

Merged... one thread and now with poll.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by G-Rex

If someone can't evaluate a used car for themselves by knowing what to look for and then doing it, then they need to stick to buying new cars for the rest of their life

This x1000

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by 101lifts2

Keeping service records IMO is only good to prove your engine didn't blow due to lack of maintence for a warranty claim. It doesn't increase the value at all. Dealer's go by wholesale numbers.

In my dealer mechanic days, I used to do used car inspections and then fix whatever was broke. There are things you look for to determine maintenance in the tranny fluid, engine oil and coolant. Look under the engine oil cap, smell the trans fluid and look at the color of the engine coolant. Then of course you test drive it.

I would say things you cannot detect like a timing belt record would be useful, but if the motor doesn't slap the valves when the belt breaks, I'd say just run the engine until it breaks. You can probably get 2x the life out of a stock belt vs. what the manual says.

I only keep records in my head.

First, it seems more and more engines are interference design. So if the belt breaks your valves get bent. Personally I don't know why more engines don't have chains instead of belts.... I guess it's so the dealers can make money replacing them.

Also, it's easy for a guy to change his fluids before showing his car to anyone. Let's say he does this at 30,000 miles......Sure the fluids look nice, but he could have skipped the first couple of changes. I would rather have a guy who obeyed the first one or two recommended intervals, or even went ahead of schedule. I know most of you do that, so why wouldn't you want to prove it if asked?

[dubbs]

Originally Posted by Tmall

You either need counselling or meds...

Yeah.. holy waste of time batman!

[Apoc]

Not for oil changes/regular maintenance. Any changed parts, I would throw the reciept in the handy little dodge leather book sleeve thingy that came with the truck. My oil is changed by myself, every 5k KM. Actually just did the first since I bought the truck this AM. I actually did throw the oil and filter receipt in that little pack, but cant guarantee I always will. Just seemed like the most convenient place to put it.

Putting a 6 inch lift with 35's eventually anyway. That will effect resale far more than not keeping oil change receipts anyway!