Servicing costs and self servicing

R.E92 · Post by **R.E92** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 1:19 pm

If you have a VAT registered company you can register onto the dealer framework with BMW for free.

I now stamp my own service book and update the online BMW portal myself

It doesn't matter so much for my cars as they will never be sold but it's useful for family and friends with a BMW as they can maintain their full service history and for newer cars without a service book they can keep their online records updated.

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 1:56 pm

R.E92 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 1:19 pm If you have a VAT registered company you can register onto the dealer framework with BMW for free.

Really? Any VAT registered business? That's very interesting.

R.E92 · Post by **R.E92** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 10:05 pm

Pondrew wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 1:56 pm
R.E92 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 1:19 pm If you have a VAT registered company you can register onto the dealer framework with BMW for free.
Really? Any VAT registered business? That's very interesting.

You can register through here: https://aos.bmwgroup.com/web/oss/start

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 10:08 pm

R.E92 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 10:05 pm You can register through here: https://aos.bmwgroup.com/web/oss/start

Thanks. That is really interesting.

tiglon · Post by **tiglon** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 10:10 pm

Wait, so anyone with a VAT registered business can record service history? That's not open to abuse at all....

R.E92 · Post by **R.E92** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:13 am

tiglon wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 10:10 pm Wait, so anyone with a VAT registered business can record service history? That's not open to abuse at all....

All independent garages need access to update service records, so it's illegal for BMW to restrict access. It's also a lot cheaper and less hassle to just pay for a service than start a limited company, register for VAT and then submit quarterly VAT returns to HMRC so it's not like people are going to abuse the process. I just happen to have the prerequisite company and the spare time to go through the registration with BMW.

For our older vehicles it's much easier for someone to buy a fake dealer stamp on eBay for £10 and stamp their own service book.

I don't put too much weight on service history. I'd rather see a car that's had frequent oil changes at home or an independent than someone who's taken their car to the dealer for the bare bones 15k service interval and had it filled with the cheapest LL01/4 compliant oil available.

tiglon · Post by **tiglon** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:24 am

There are more than a couple of million VAT registered businesses out there, so plenty of people with the opportunity to do this.

I'm with you on the service history, particularly for cars like ours.

Owdgit · Post by **Owdgit** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 10:24 am

Thanks for all the responses, I suppose to keep the book stamped I could go along with the suggestion to have an oil change done, even at Halfords, they update the service record online

Christopher72 · Post by **Christopher72** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 2:21 pm

Like others have said... getting your Z4's oil change from a "15-minute instant oil change" company has to be the best indicator that you'll let any 16-year-old with 0 days of experience service your car for even trivial things instead of a BMW certified shop. So, while a car may have had oil changes every 3k-5k miles in its history, the risk that someone screwed it up somewhere is significantly higher. I've personally known those types of businesses destroy 3 engines from incorrect parts/oil, double gasketing, etc. it's not only having history, but dealer or reputable company history when you're not doing it yourself. Besides, an oil change is the best time to get a solid set of pro eyes on your car to look for indicators in your exhaust, engine bay, suspension, etc. Some pimple faced kid following a laminated checklist with big pictures is of no real help in that.

Marcoose · Post by **Marcoose** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:04 pm

I too pay indy price for oil changes and other small work, but the indy trained eyes catch problems I don’t see. For me, it’s money well spent.

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:34 pm

It tickles me that You tube dealer, buying a 300 quid car and overjoyed it has a full set of dealer stamps.
The car itself is a shed.

Owdgit · Post by **Owdgit** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:02 pm

Thanks to you all for the thoughts.
I have a ramp, all the tools and knowledge to do the majority of jobs (time served mechanic all be it on older cars) so am just going to do it myself and keep records/receipts images etc. all with BMW or better parts of course.
I will of course get a garage to do work I'm unable to.
Not planning on selling for some time but if it puts off a future potential buyer it's their loss

Argyll Andy · Post by **Argyll Andy** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:29 pm

Owdgit wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:02 pm Thanks to you all for the thoughts.
I have a ramp, all the tools and knowledge to do the majority of jobs (time served mechanic all be it on older cars) so am just going to do it myself and keep records/receipts images etc. all with BMW or better parts of course.
I will of course get a garage to do work I'm unable to.
Not planning on selling for some time but if it puts off a future potential buyer it's their loss

Chris, I’d buy a car I knew you’d looked after well before a car with FSH by having a bunch of stamps in a book

Owdgit · Post by **Owdgit** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:32 pm

Cheers Andy, maybe I could put some green shield stamps in the service book?

Showing my age there, I bet you don't even know what they were?

Argyll Andy · Post by **Argyll Andy** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:37 pm

Owdgit wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:32 pm Showing my age there, I bet you don't even know what they were?

I do and remind me to tell you a story about them the next time I see you

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