Interesting exercise for 2nd owners: researching your service history

Pie4Foo · 07-07-2005, 10:44 AM

When I bought my S4 used a little over two years ago, it came with 36,000 miles and an unknown history. The dealer had purchased it at auction and performed the CPO inspection, but it's history was otherwise unknown. Since I bought it, the car has been in 9 times, most of the time for service or some annoyance.

I've found myself wondering what sort of warranty work had been performed on the car prior to my ownership. I knew the car had come from Florida, but I had no details on the car's service history.

So, on a recent trip to the dealership, I bugged my Service Advisor for my car's Warranty/Service History. At first my SA balked, saying it was all code (if a car has been serviced at multiple dealerships, only AoA's systems will have the complete records). I don't have a picture of the print out, but it's a coded list with dates, order numbers, dealer IDs, and an identifying work code. These codes look like this:

"W2-6048"

It's the only clue as to what was done to the car, but you do have the ability to decode most of these. The prefix ("W2") appears to be an identifier for the type of warranty covering the work done. "W2" appears to be the standard warranty, "AM" is scheduled maintenance, and "UC" may be the CPO warranty.

The four-digit suffix ("6048") refers to a particular part replaced on the vehicle. With the help of this CPO Coverage List and some reasonable guessing, here's what I figured out:

Obviously the CPO list isn't complete since some items covered under Audi Assured aren't covered under Audi's CPO warranty, but I was able to reconcile the part descriptions against my own invoices.

Apparently the previous owner had some problems with the car. I was surprised to see the turbos had been replaced, some part of the clutch and/or transmission had work done, and the front brakes were replaced 3(!) times.

I'm not sure if I should be relieved or worried by my car's service history, but I am glad that I researched it.

For 2nd owners interested in recreating what I did, download the Excel file linked below and ask your Service Advisor for your car's service history. Even if the history is coded, you should be able to decipher it.

My Warranty History with CPO Coverage List (Excel)

BLK01S4::HB B!SH · 07-07-2005, 11:36 AM

3 turbo replacements brakes A/C Transmission, Mirror, Dipstick, etc etc etc its very long. I saw my file at the dealer in the file cab it was quite thick.

AKS4 · 07-07-2005, 11:42 AM

Theoretically, me being the owner I SHOULD be able to have access to ALL records of service on the vehicle.

Next time I go in I'll ask.

Rory · 07-08-2005, 04:59 AM

privacy of the original owner). Did your service person mention this?

Rory

AKS4 · 07-08-2005, 09:32 AM

you that information for your car." although he didnt say why. I can see it both ways, however previous owners personal info should be seperateable from teh actual work done.

I dunno, will ask my SA next time I am in, see what he said.

07-07-2005, 10:44 AM	#1
Pie4Foo Member Account #: 57452 Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,628	Interesting exercise for 2nd owners: researching your service history When I bought my S4 used a little over two years ago, it came with 36,000 miles and an unknown history. The dealer had purchased it at auction and performed the CPO inspection, but it's history was otherwise unknown. Since I bought it, the car has been in 9 times, most of the time for service or some annoyance. I've found myself wondering what sort of warranty work had been performed on the car prior to my ownership. I knew the car had come from Florida, but I had no details on the car's service history. So, on a recent trip to the dealership, I bugged my Service Advisor for my car's Warranty/Service History. At first my SA balked, saying it was all code (if a car has been serviced at multiple dealerships, only AoA's systems will have the complete records). I don't have a picture of the print out, but it's a coded list with dates, order numbers, dealer IDs, and an identifying work code. These codes look like this: "W2-6048" It's the only clue as to what was done to the car, but you do have the ability to decode most of these. The prefix ("W2") appears to be an identifier for the type of warranty covering the work done. "W2" appears to be the standard warranty, "AM" is scheduled maintenance, and "UC" may be the CPO warranty. The four-digit suffix ("6048") refers to a particular part replaced on the vehicle. With the help of this CPO Coverage List and some reasonable guessing, here's what I figured out: Obviously the CPO list isn't complete since some items covered under Audi Assured aren't covered under Audi's CPO warranty, but I was able to reconcile the part descriptions against my own invoices. Apparently the previous owner had some problems with the car. I was surprised to see the turbos had been replaced, some part of the clutch and/or transmission had work done, and the front brakes were replaced 3(!) times. I'm not sure if I should be relieved or worried by my car's service history, but I am glad that I researched it. For 2nd owners interested in recreating what I did, download the Excel file linked below and ask your Service Advisor for your car's service history. Even if the history is coded, you should be able to decipher it. My Warranty History with CPO Coverage List (Excel) __________________ Car for driving in circles: Lotus Exige Car for driving to the airport: AWE/GIAC Stage 3 S4 Car for the weekday: Hertz rental

07-07-2005, 11:36 AM	#2
BLK01S4::HB B!SH AudiWorld Super User Account #: 52597 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,924	Neat, mine would be 3 pages long lol :) 3 turbo replacements brakes A/C Transmission, Mirror, Dipstick, etc etc etc its very long. I saw my file at the dealer in the file cab it was quite thick. __________________ Stage III Tip : ??? FATS (Race Gas) 3.43 Average Pump gas --------------- Fastest Tiptronic! ET: 12.259@118.25mph :) "Turbos are usually the cheapest/easiest way to add power - Posted by: Corrado79 on 2008-05-21 13:22:49 "Amazing that he could maintain a wedgie and talk out of his ass at the same time. That's one skill he CAN lay claim to. - Skydive@W?? 2007-12-18" --- "good I just added you to my " bitch " VIP list ." -Professional customer service - SIMPPLY@WMS 2007-12-17 --- "i tried the propane file on butane and it blew my ing grill up." - mjtaylor::pipedream 2007-08-23 14:21:46 --- "It takes a problem which we don't have and doesn't even solve it" - Mirror\|rorriM on 2006-09-26 --- "but yeah you want open loop when you go wot ;-)" - PiggieSmalls on 2006-11-10 --- $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ = !@$#!#!!@&%! ----

07-07-2005, 11:42 AM	#3
AKS4 Member Account #: 56758 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,844	VERY cool!! I will have to see if my SA is caxable into giving me the history. Theoretically, me being the owner I SHOULD be able to have access to ALL records of service on the vehicle. Next time I go in I'll ask. __________________

07-08-2005, 04:59 AM	#4
Rory AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 8418 Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 1,520	I was told you're not entitled to this information (something about protecting the privacy of the original owner). Did your service person mention this? Rory

07-08-2005, 09:32 AM	#5
AKS4 Member Account #: 56758 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,844	Seems to be the answer when I nonchalantly asked right after buying my car. he said "We can't give.. you that information for your car." although he didnt say why. I can see it both ways, however previous owners personal info should be seperateable from teh actual work done. I dunno, will ask my SA next time I am in, see what he said. __________________

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