Any way to verify a major service w/o records?

Offer them some extra dough for the records validating the service. An extra 500 might be enough.

Art

 

Does the dealer know which shop did the major?

If so, you can ask them and they can provide a copy of the records, they can simply blank out or cut out the previous owner's info.

 

First, did you check the VIN against the 355 Registry to see if it is already documented there?

Mileage since the last major is also important, although in general these cars don't get driven alot. Do you have a Carfax available? If so, check the mileage accumulation over the last few years against the current mileage. See what kind of service reports made it to Carfax. In the case of my car, I was surprised to find many dealership service notations in the Carfax dating all the way back to 1997. What I didn't find on Carfax I was able to trace down by, surprisingly, combing through old Fchat posts where I found entries from one of the "missing" owners in the car's history. Sent him a PM and he responded within a week with everything I needed.

Finally, take the car to a good local F-Car mechanic for a complete PPI. Good luck on the hunt!

 

Privacy issues??? When I bought my 355, the dealer called the previous owner and he gave permission for me to call him. We had a great conversation and that (more than the ppi)was what convinced me to fly down and purchase the car.

If this is a no secrets, nothing to hide, well serviced car, then why wouldn't the dealer want to get you in touch with the previous owner?

 

Is this a Ferrari franchised dealer or some independent? If he can't produce records that you can call up the shop to verify, then it was not done.

It seems you really want this car. I wish you the best of luck on it but try to remember that there are other cars out there and it will be worth the wait, but only for the right one.

 

I have to agree with Paul.

If the dealer can't, or won't, produce the records, then I would consider that it WASN'T done. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. I think you have consider the worst case scenario.

And, they damn sure can't price the car as those it has had a recent major if they can't, or won't, produce any evidence proving it.

If I bought the car, I'd have a major done.

Mike

 

+1. "Privacy issues" sounds like a BS attempt to circumvent the true issue.

 

I think laws on privacy vary from state-to-state. So, I don't think you can make a blanket statement like that.

What I would do is ask for the shop that did it and check with them. I can't see why that's a privacy issue. If you're serious about buying the car and this is the only issue, I would make them work for it.

 

I'm aware of that, but I also have a hard time believing that offering to call the PO, without disclosing anything at all to the customer, would be a breach of whatever laws that may exist. At the very least, it seems pretty lazy. Of course I can't say exactly what the deal is, and I'm not trying to prematurely accuse anyone. I can only give my 2 cents on how I would look at it, which would be caveat emptor.

For what it's worth, I had several dealers offer to contact the PO when I was looking.

 

Without records it was not done. Don't let a salesman blow sunshine up your skirt.

Nearly as important is what specifically was done and by who.

There is no way to verify any of this without the paper trail.

 

if it is not written down, it did not happen..

the US FDA

 

My 360 had this type of circumstance. I knew from the carfax which dealership it saw. Calling them revealed they didn't do a major.

I took off the valve covers and saw the dates on the belt. If manufacture date on the belts is less than 3-5 years then you know at least they were replaced (likely other work as well given the task). I know it is prob. a challenge to get the covers/loose or off to check the belt #'s.. but might be a way to get some light on the situation..

 

+2. Signed paperwork documenting the tasks completed add value to the car.

Lack of that documentation decreases the value.

Period....and the dealer knows that 10000%

 

+3

No paper = not done.

 

Sure. Take off the timing belts, inspect them, and if everything looks good, put new ones on.



GT

P.S. (I know that there is more to a major than that...)

 

When I bought my car the dealer blanked out the previous owners name on the records so I had a complete set of records. I get it they want to maintain the previous owners privacy but without records the service simply did not exist or ever will. It's simply too important to take someone's word for it.

 

Drift, I'm sorry to hear as I can tell you are really excited to own a Ferrari! This is all part of the hunt and it will be worth it.

Is this an authorized dealer? I take it its some independent. What did the PPI come back with?

Just to add some clarity to your thoughts- cuz you got hot rocks(), this dealer has now demonstrated that his word is no good, and cannot be trusted. As for me, I wouldn't buy it just for that reason. This is what he thinks of you and your feelings about buying your dream car.

However, if you really want this car, you should take an extra 10% off for him trying to pull a fast one on you.

 

Absoloutely agree here - but take off 20%

 

Why in the world would you offer them EXTRA money to provide info that would help them sell the car??? They should be bending over backwards and working to produce that info for him.....

 

The O.P. should post the name of the dealer so we can avoid them.

 

Precisely what happened with me, which is why I suggested this