BMW Service History

[B787MECH]

I’m interested in how important a full BMW Service History is to the value of my bike. For potential buyers is it something you really look for or not?
My 1200 LC is now three years old and out of warranty. It has a full service history. I’m thinking of selling it in a year or so. I’m quite handy with the spanners and could service it myself, but will need to buy a GS-911 . Alternatively I could take it in to my dealer and maintain the dealer service history till I sell it, if it’s considered an important point by potential buyers.


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[David.]

A full BMW service history is likely to be more desirable than not. To maintain a BMW service history, "stamp in the book", on three occasions, I've had the minimum of an oil & filter service completed by the BMW dealer at a cost of £50 - £60 labour only. After that, I've done what I can myself, plus used an independent BMW specialist for items that require tools, equipment & knowledge that I don't possess, e.g. vacuum gauges & GS-911.

Is the bike to be sold privately and not replaced or traded in for a new one. The bikes I traded in both had a full service history, some dealer & some independent stamps in the book, the dealer wasn't bothered, still got a good trade-in price based on the condition of the bike. Of three RT's I've owned, two were new and one was purchased used from a BMW dealer. The used one had a full BMW service history, as expected on all approved used bikes. If it's a private sale/purchase the buyer would expect to pay less than at a BMW dealer for the same bike. Supporting documentation may be helpful, I keep receipts for oils & parts used etc., plus a record of what is done & when.

Putting yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer may help to answer the questions. Given the choice, I'd prefer to buy a bike with a full BMW service history.

[B787MECH]

Thanks for your reply David. I agree that having a BMW service history is worth paying out for, at least in a bike of this type and age. There must be a time though when it’s not worth paying the price and doing it yourself. As I’ll try and sell it to a dealer I think I’ll maintain the service history for now!


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[David.]

There must be a time though when it’s not worth paying the price and doing it yourself.

My 2012 TC is now 7 years old, I intend to keep it. The objective is to get "a stamp in the book", at least cost to myself. The reason being that I do purchase an insured warranty for 7 months each year. Hopefully, this will maintain the T&C's of the warranty. Yes, there may be some risks with this approach, but it's a gamble I'm prepared to take. Last year, the front brake callipers were replaced under warranty, fortunately, I'd had the F&R brake fluid changed the previous year. Not having this done may have given BMW warranty services an excuse not to pay out.

Not forgetting, you are not tied to a BMW dealer, VAT registered independent workshops can be used to uphold T&C's of warranties.
I'd rather use an independent, but for an oil & filter service, they want more than the dealer, plus it's slightly further to travel from home.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to do what other maintenance I can myself.

[simbo]

Is there an age limit on the bike for the insured warranty?..

[David.]

Is there an age limit on the bike for the insured warranty?

No, just a mileage limitation of 80,000 miles at the commencement date.

[beemerboy9]

I had a great of difficulty in selling my 2014 RT with full BMWSH recently. I could not find a private buyer who was willing to offer more than the dealer trade-in. The bike had been wrapped in 3M film and there was not a mark on it.
Wollaston had to give the bike a 12,000 service and put an approved used warranty on it, but it is still advertised on their web-site 3 months later. To give them credit they told me exactly how they would price it and I advertised mine as one of the cheapest on Autotrader, eBay and the BMW owners club.


My conclusion is that the market changes over time - with more PCP than ever - and maybe there is a Brexit factor playing just at the moment.

[David.]

Wollaston had to give the bike a 12,000 service and put an approved used warranty on it, but it is still advertised on their web-site 3 months later.

Those costs will be covered in the sale of the used bike, what is the difference between the trade-in and used bike sale prices.

[B787MECH]

Looking at www.motorrad-warranty.co.uk it does state that proof of servicing plus invoices from the servicing retailer are required, so that on its own means self servicing is basically out.
It does seem that maintaining the servicing history correctly enables an extended warranty option and adds value to the bike.


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[David.]

It does seem that maintaining the servicing history correctly enables an extended warranty option and adds value to the bike.

If the service history has lapsed, my understanding is, providing the bike is serviced (up to date) prior to applying for an insured warranty, then this is acceptable.

On behalf of a friend, I enquired with BMW Warranty Services, they confirmed this to be the case.

[B787MECH]

If the service history has lapsed, my understanding is, providing the bike is serviced (up to date) prior to applying for an insured warranty, then this is acceptable.

On behalf of a friend, I enquired with BMW Warranty Services, they confirmed this to be the case.

Thanks for that, seems like you can have gaps then. Maybe doing the minor services oneself is the way to go!


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[David.]

Thanks for that, seems like you can have gaps then.

Likewise, if like me, you are a seasonal rider, then the insured warranty can be paid for monthly, allowed to lapse (in the winter) and renewed the following year.

Maybe doing the minor services oneself is the way to go!

My approach is to get the BMW dealers to do the minimum, whilst hopefully maintaining the T&C's of the insured warranty.

[B787MECH]

Likewise, if like me, you are a seasonal rider, then the insured warranty can be paid for monthly, allowed to lapse (in the winter) and renewed the following year.

My approach is to get the BMW dealers to do the minimum, whilst hopefully maintaining the T&C's of the insured warranty.

Sounds like a good plan, I’ll run it past my dealer next time I’m in!Thanks [emoji106]


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[David.]

Sounds like a good plan, I’ll run it past my dealer next time I’m in!

The dealers will just say, "the computer says", your bike needs this, this & this doing at that age & mileage.

I make the decisions myself on what the dealers do & what I do.

[B787MECH]

The dealers will just say, "the computer says", your bike needs this, this & this doing at that age & mileage.

I make the decisions myself on what the dealers do & what I do.

Are they happy to stamp the book despite them not doing everything on the maintenance schedule? And if so, are you able to satisfy the requirements of the warranty I.e produce service invoices etc? In other words, is a stamp in the book really all that you need for the warranty?


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