New Steps To Prevent Car Service History Fraud

Wednesday, 28. April 2010

Motor Codes, the body responsible for producing a National code of practice for servicing and repairs, have called for a single computer database containing every vehicle’s service record to be created to prevent crooks faking car service histories in order to inflate the car’s value. The call was made after it was found that it was possible to guy fake service books and ink stamps online on eBay. Auto Express checked into this and found a number of sellers offering blank booklets and rubber stamps with virtually every manufacturer represented. They noted that you could buy a Porsche book for £250 with a stamp showing a company logo and fake contact details costing £30. Motor Codes claimed that the database would be simple enough to create as it could simply piggy back on the current MOT system. Some manufacturers already operate a service record system including BMW, Mercedes, Ford and Mazda but of course they only record services carried out at main dealers and with the European Block Exemption Rules that now state that cars can be serviced at any recognised service agent and still retain the warranty cover, there would have to be a system that recorded all servicing and not just main dealers. Maybe someone should approach HPI or the central insurance register? Just a thought. By Graham Hill