Service History - Who Cares?

[DaveyP]

We all do, but to what extent?

 

Here's my thinking.

 

I bought my current, and first, Boxster almost a year ago. 97k at the time with a fully stamped book. Since then I've done wee bits of work to it which have improved the car no end. Fixed a badly fitted roof..., removed badly fitted mods..., and not least, a few damned good deep cleans!

It's now perilously close to 100k.

I'm currently carrying out a fairly comprehensive suspension refresh (hopefully push it on some more this weekend), and plan an overhaul of the braking system next. Neither of these areas have been touched since the motor was new, so 22years! Exhaust will probably be next. Or maybe things like coils, AOS, etc...

I will also, as with any car I've owned, carry out yearly oil and filter changes, and biannual spark plug changes regardless of mileage. 

I'll do stuff like gearbox oil and filter and things like auxiliary belt/water pump, and coolant/brake fluid changes somewhere in line with the handbook service schedule and when I see fit. 

I will not, however, be taking it to main dealers (is that what OPC means?) or getting the book stamped.

 

I Suppose my question is this: 

The previous owner made a big deal of the stamped book, but had done f*ck all to the car other than that. Shown no hint at all of being in tune with what the car actually needed.

Is this worth more than someone like myself, who will actually look after the thing, but doesn't have the budget to pay for the stamps?

More specifically, and I'm REALLY trying to chose my words carefully here, because I mean no offence or prejudice  at all, I'm only asking, do Porsche owners value the stamps over my way?

I will keep every invoice for parts I buy and write on them when the parts were fitted etc...

 

Will I devalue my car by not "keeping the service history up"?

 

Looking forward to responses...

Edited December 16, 2022 by DaveyP
spelling / layout

[Cybot7]

Service history is important if you’re looking to sell on as not everyone will have the same take on things as you do. You know it’s been done but unless you’ve got bills etc a prospective buyer will opt for a vehicle  with history rather than one without. 

[Nobbie]

On a 22 year old Boxster, most sensible people buy on condition, MOT history and evidence of recent work. You can have a fully stamped book, but have ignored every recommendation for additional work until pulled on it by an MOT fail.

[Topbox]

I think FSH matters less on older vehicles, as potential buyers will be more enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Keep all the receipts for parts fitted and a little log of what you have done, should help if you wish to sell I would think. You are enjoying the car, that's the main thing, good luck with the works. 

[Boxsum]

I think like you , with an old 986 that’s worth less than a toothbrush it’s meaningless unless it’s corker! 
Enjoy it and have fun👍

[Boxer boy]

WBAC on a Bentley Continental GT 2005 which I owned for 7 yrs and basically DIY Ed the SH .Sure kept receipts listed it all and was on time , but zero stamps in the “ book “ …….there computer ( what the ring/ dealers  pays ) knocked £200 off .

Well over 7 years that would have been a near £7 K spend to keep the full Bentley SH .

So 6.8K quids in ,Oh btw I ran it from 60 K miles to 102 K miles all DIY .

 

Bought my  09 - 897.2 with 87K on last April .It’s chicken feed money to run ( same VAG engineered) .

 

So the answer is condition not stamps .

[brillomaster]

Inside factory warranty period, id want to see factory stamps. Once its outside warranty, independent or self serviced would be fine. Just write what youve done in the service book so to keep a record.

[Fat Rat]

With any 986 which is 18+ years old. Stamps are nice, but proof of work done in my book is better. I keep all receipts and date them when fitted. I buy oil and bits when on offers etc. 3rd Porsche for me and no probs selling the other 2 in years past. Good luck and enjoy. They are so much fun. 🤙

[½cwt]

My book is full so I'm just keeping all invoices (I do get an indy to look at it once a year to do the messy oil change and for a set of knowledgeable eyes to see it in case I miss anything) organised by date showing all the work and parts that have been done/fitted.  I don't think anyone buying a £5k Boxster that is 20+ years old is reasonably going to expect at full OPC history.  Now if it had only 20k miles and wanted to get £15k for it then you'd need that history to be perfect.

[pacificjuha]

Good and complete service history from 2001 - including original windowsticker etc - was a good info for me when i purchased my current Boxster 4 yeas ago.

Now I'm DIY pretty much all, but keep every receipt with km's and dates the work is done. The MOT is stating in suprised manner each year that 'this car is in MOT perspectice like new'.

With this kind of history available and taking in to account this is totally rust free, I have received few offers to sell (not selling ) regardless of rather high traveled car of 299.567km (approx. 186.000mi) to date.

Anyhow, service history is not important at all to most buyers as these cars are getting very old - still these are sooooo much fun.

[map]

The service history on my car looks like a cross between the medical records of Steve Austin and Frankenstein’s Creature.

A morbidly fascinating, horrifically costly story of engineering and single minded perseverance running counter to the norms of the time.

But it’s alive, it’s mine and it still makes me smile (slightly manically). 

[TV8]

I have found running threads useful and have one for the 996. Some buyers do appear to want more though. I always forget to get my service book stamped and I was asked to get the book updated by someone who wanted to buy the car. I did this and then they checked the total history and found a gap started in 2011 of about 10k miles. Their sole intention of this action was to justify a lower offer price. 
 

[GmanB]

Personally, I don't care who puts the fresh oil in the car, I mean how many different ways can a person put it in the car? Just because a Porsche engineer put the oil in, adds no value for me. The fact that decent oil is used and the service was done is more important. Service History is very important for any car, keep reciepts for oil/filters and other parts and that's your history. Some people value it even more knowing OPC did it, but not myself. Maybe if you own a garage Queen, the OPC stamps will look beautiful?

[Tony Daniel]

I have owned Porsches for around 30 years and I can tell you now that you are always best using a Porsche specialist for servicing and repairs. Its a false economy and the damage I have seen or heard about by have a go back street garages is appalling. 

If I was buying a 20 year old Boxster I would look for specialist stamps in the book and a pile of receipts otherwise I would think I was buying money pit.

 

 

[BrianJ]

Don't think there is any right answer to this. All depends on the buyer. I'm convinced that the vast majority of buyers of any sort of car haven't a clue what they are buying and wouldn't know what a service history is either. These days most people don't seem to know where to find their windscreen washer bottle or how to inflate the tyres, never mind what pressure they are supposed to be. It's only on forums like this that you find the minority of people who care about such things.  

[½cwt]

One other problem that is cropping up is said dealers are discarding invoices with personal data on so they comply with GDPR so destroying any provenance.  So p[perhaps stamps in a book will become more important as evidence of work.

[Toddie]

I personally would not buy a car that has been self serviced, with a load of receipts for parts, as you really don’t have any proof other than the sellers word that the work has been done. I mean all S/H car sellers tell the truth🤔 yeah right. 

If however there is a fully stamped service book by OPC, & indies backed up by receipts, invoices etc then you have more proof that the work has been carried out, which could be verified by phone calls, emails etc if necessary. I would expect all Porsche cars to be serviced by OPC whilst still under warranty. 

[Sup8man7]

For me, I've always bought on condition and with both boxsters I bought from here and you can get an idea of how it's been cared for from the receipts. 

Anything under 5 years old I'd probably be more bothered about dealer service history

[½cwt]

1 hour ago, Toddie said:

I personally would not buy a car that has been self serviced, with a load of receipts for parts, as you really don’t have any proof other than the sellers word that the work has been done. I mean all S/H car sellers tell the truth🤔 yeah right. 

If however there is a fully stamped service book by OPC, & indies backed up by receipts, invoices etc then you have more proof that the work has been carried out, which could be verified by phone calls, emails etc if necessary. I would expect all Porsche cars to be serviced by OPC whilst still under warranty. 

So even under extended warranty that was over 10 years ago on a 986... These are now £5k cars, many of which are sold when clutch, brakes, tyres, suspension (some of or all) need attention.

To get best value if any when the prices for good examples rise than history will be useful but even then many classics that drop to this level do not have a full history.

[Tony Daniel]

3 hours ago, ½cwt said:

One other problem that is cropping up is said dealers are discarding invoices with personal data on so they comply with GDPR so destroying any provenance.  So p[perhaps stamps in a book will become more important as evidence of work.

My 981 came with all past receipts but with all the names and addresses cut off or as you state the dealer shreds the paperwork

[½cwt]

My current company daily doesn't even come with a book.  You can get the service info from SEAT, but what about when it leaves the dealer network to indy garages?

[EXY]

22 hours ago, DaveyP said:

and biannual spark plug changes regardless of mileage. 

I Suppose my question is this: 

The previous owner made a big deal of the stamped book, but had done f*ck all to the car other than that. Shown no hint at all of being in tune with what the car actually needed.

Do Porsche owners value the stamps over my way?

I will keep every invoice for parts I buy and write on them when the parts were fitted etc...

I did and do what you are doing.

e.g. actually strip the brakes and clear any built up debris NOT look at how much meat is on the pads without even taking the wheel off.

Update/project upgrades as required etc.

I would actually prefer a service history from an enthusiast such as yourself who is spending the time and money.

If anyone couldn't collaborate what you claimed you had done by inspection then maybe a 20 year old car isn't for them   it should be reasonably simple to check you are being honest.

N.B. by biannual I usually understand it to be twice a year, plugs are fine at 4 years 

[GmanB]

There is nothing in GDPR about removing data from receipts, that's just nonsense. What a customer can do is ask to be anonymised. Let's just think about how many people do that when they are selling a car.... I helped implement GDPR for a German car manufacturer in the UK and this didn't once arise. It's either one of two reasons that dealers are doing this. 

1) They are stupid and don't understand GDPR.

2) They are hiding something.

To be honest, I would be amazed if any manufacturer dealer does this.

Edited December 17, 2022 by GmanB

[½cwt]

9 hours ago, GmanB said:

There is nothing in GDPR about removing data from receipts, that's just nonsense. What a customer can do is ask to be anonymised. Let's just think about how many people do that when they are selling a car.... I helped implement GDPR for a German car manufacturer in the UK and this didn't once arise. It's either one of two reasons that dealers are doing this. 

1) They are stupid and don't understand GDPR.

2) They are hiding something.

To be honest, I would be amazed if any manufacturer dealer does this.

I didn't say it was correct what they were doing when disposing for records, just that it is reported as having happened.  Goes to show how little uninformed people can be and even what some disinformation or fear of prosecution can do.

[RalphyBMW]

Evidence of periodic attention from a specialist should always help; though far more relevant in recent years than further back.

I do a lot of my own work (evidenced with invoices), but I still get it serviced each year by a specialist to make sure I haven’t missed anything.

The number of cars I see with “full service history” that ends 5 years ago, or before the current keeper, drives me nuts!