Help: Selling a Car without Service/Log Books

Lmime225 on 12/09/2022 - 11:54

Hi,

I am in a pickle. Long story short, I went overseas for six months and when I returned my vehicle was missing. I reported stolen and fortunately the police were awesome enough to recover it. The issue now is that I'm looking to sell it because it really gets used however the thieves took the log/service books.

This is for me in a conundrum because I don't think I can sell the vehicle privately without the service records.

I'm thinking of wholesaling but not sure where to start.

If anyone has any suggestions I am very appreciative 🍻

Automotive

Comments

  • askbargain on 12/09/2022 - 11:56
    +1

    sell it for scrap

  • highon2str on 12/09/2022 - 12:03
    +7

    A log book replacement can be ordered through a dealer. Ring up the service dept and explain you need to replace a log book and that you need it filled in. You will have to pay for the log book and possibly their time for re-filling it and stamping it. If you have serviced elsewhere, then you will need to do the same after ordering your log book via a dealer.

  • spackbace on 12/09/2022 - 12:04
    +1

    How old is the car and how much do you think it's worth?

  • bobbified on 12/09/2022 - 12:07
    +1

    ..however the thieves took the log/service books.

    Are you telling us the thieves actually took your service books? haha

    You can still sell privately without. Some people don't know/care to look at the service history. If you sold it wholesale, you'll definitely take a hit on the price.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2022 - 12:29
      +1

      they probably chucked it out after they stole it, wouldn't want the service history to be traced if they planned on keeping it, or they didn't plan on keeping it and just tossed the logbook because they wanted more space in the glovebox.

  • Amaris on 12/09/2022 - 12:09
    +1

    I don't think I can sell the vehicle privately without the service records

    There's no requirement to have a log/ service records when selling a car. However, it might be worth a bit more if the records are there. In this market where used cars are in high demand, I'm sure you'll be able to find a buyer who's happy to buy without records.
    Alternatively, you'd be able to get the dealer to give you a copy of the invoices/ service records for a fee to be shown in place of the actual log book.
    Some car brands nowadays come without a log book anyway

  • djkelly69 on 12/09/2022 - 12:10

    I don't think I can sell the vehicle privately without the service records.

    Not convinced, but probably depends on age, type of car, etc.

  • Fredfloresjr on 12/09/2022 - 12:20
    -1

    leave your car again open and leave a note "kindly please return the logbook back to its location". And repeat the process again when you found out your car was missing.

  • payless69 on 12/09/2022 - 12:26

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    CASH and run!!!

  • Drakesy on 12/09/2022 - 12:45
    +1

    Last 2 cars i've had didn't have service records
    1 was an Audi and i learnt the hard way (admittedly it was about 40% off market value so didn't really mind.

    the other is a 2010 Kia Sportage with 280,xxx km's which i took a gamble on because it was so cheap ($5k).
    Mechanic was impressed of the condition of the car and literally had nothing but an oil change to do to it.

  • Stopback on 12/09/2022 - 12:46

    brb taking screen shots of my books -

    Show tax receipts

  • prodrome on 12/09/2022 - 13:06
    +1

    It doesn't matter. New cars don't even have them anymore.

  • dirtybigbjelke on 12/09/2022 - 13:21
    +1

    You can sell. Do you have the receipts for the services somewhere? You can use those instead of the books. If dealer serviced get the dealer to print records. $$$profit$$$

  • pegaxs on 12/09/2022 - 14:26
    +4

    Yay… another open thread with no context what so ever. Is it a 1998 Toyota Corolla or a 2018 Hyundai i30N? Like,. seriously.

    I don't think I can sell the vehicle privately without the service records.

    Who ever told you that shit is off their meds.

  • Keplaffintech on 12/09/2022 - 14:36
    +1

    If you have receipts for the services that's just as good.

    If you don't, call up the service dept / mechanic you use and get them to print off the invoices.

    If you don't have that, consider getting a mechanical inspection/report done, and just state that you 'lost the logbook' in the private sale ad. Someone will certainly buy it.

  • Euphemistic on 12/09/2022 - 14:36
    +1

    It will sell. Some buyers might be put off but many won’t.

    Think I’ve only ever bought 2 cars WITH a service record and have had a dozen or more.
    Only looked for service records on vehicles under factory warranty. I’m not far off selling a car without a service history, not concerned.

    If it’s new/been serviced by a dealer you may be able to ask for the records, but probably not worth the effort. Make sure the service sticker on the windscreen isn’t out of date. Be honest with a buyer about the car’s history and that will suffice.

  • randomusername2017 on 12/09/2022 - 15:46
    +1

    Click here if it's a corolla..headlights,battery,keys and log books optional.
    Bonus points if it's driveable but not a deal breaker.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 12/09/2022 - 15:59

    It would help increase the value, but you can sell it.
    I used to service and maintain mine. They did get it inspected, and only had to replace 1 tyre, and machine one of the brake rotors (i replaced the rotor a few weeks prior)???
    This was 4 years ago, and I saw it about a year ago, so still running. :)

  • dtc on 12/09/2022 - 16:39
    -1

    Easiest way is to go and get the car inspected by a mechanic - a proper inspection, not a $49 one - and serviced, then show that to the buyer.

    Having service records doesnt mean the car is good; it just means someone has changed the oil and a few filters. Of course you want this to have happened, but fresh oil doesnt make up for a leaking gearbox and a leaking gearbox isnt covered by the service book

    • Euphemistic on 12/09/2022 - 18:29

      Let the buyer do their own mechanical inspection it’s not essential for some buyers - but does depend on the age and condition of the vehicle. At this point we have no idea wether it’s a 2001 corolla with 300,000km or 1yo Audi.

      • dtc on 12/09/2022 - 18:50

        depends on how fast you want to sell the car and whether you are willing to let the buyer take the car to do an inspection (although, yes, there are mobile inspectors). If its an 'expensive' car (say $20k) then let the buyer sort it, if its under $10k then lots of people will buy based on your inspection report and a recent servicing.

        That said, for all my sales, I've not had log books but kept the receipts for the servicing once I started thinking about selling (which is usually 12 - 18 months before I actually sell) and just hand those over.

        • Euphemistic on 12/09/2022 - 18:58

          if its under $10k then lots of people will buy based on your inspection report and a recent servicing

          Not my experience. Sold a few cars like that. Only ever had one buyer get an independent inspection, and that one I had receipts for the latest DIY service. Haven’t had issues with not having a record either.

          I wouldn’t trust an ‘inspection’ from a seller either, except maybe if it was from a reputable, major brand inspector like NRMA. The seller has got a vested interest in getting a ‘clean’ report and may influence the inspector.

  • mime225 on 13/09/2022 - 13:01

    Guys I'm really moved by all the responses! The vehicle is a 2016 Toyota RAV4. I contacted Toyota and they said they can replace the books for $95. I think this the approach I'll take.

    BTW as a public service announcement please do not park your vehicles for long periods of time on street. I thought my vehicle is safe from thieves given how hard it was to get a spare key cut. This was a pretty sophisticated crime and the police are still trying to figure out what happened. Cheers everyone 🍻

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