Privacy Law+car repairs??

[Cynic]

Do you have a Privacy Law controlling car repairs in the States?
I tried to get the records of what was fixed over the years from the Subaru dealer here and was told they can't give them out. I said just cut off the previous owner's name etc., that I just wanted a list of the facts and dates, but no go. Its a car, for heaven's sake! And I own it, so why not let me know the details of its life...
I may have to resort to sneaky tactics...the fellow I bought from only had the car a little while, and I'm the 3rd owner, so all her records are at Subaru and, it would seem, sealed. Even my mechanic can't call and get info. Weird.

[AlcyoneDaze]

Yeah, same here in Jersey, they will not give out the car's records citing privacy laws

[Cynic]

This just came into effect up here, I'm told.

[crazyhorse]

How much of the desired info could you get with a Carfax report?
Or is Carfax a viable alternative in Canada?
There needs to be an anonymous way to retrieve the history of ALL repairs to a car, at least all those done at the dealer or ASE certified shop. They need to be made to make this info available.

[michael]

Try my.subaru.com I don't know if it includes Canada, but it's worth a shot.

[cozykat]

Originally Posted by michael

Try my.subaru.com I don't know if it includes Canada, but it's worth a shot.

That site is only usefull for SVXs from 1995 or above. I tried with my 1993 and was rejected

[AlcyoneDaze]

Fortunatley me and my Previous Owner are tight - i got his phone number and let him drive the car occasionally, haha - his little son was really upset when he sold the car so i felt bad... he was pretty pissed at Subaru when i told him the "$700 powertrain control module" problem was merely a 15 minute fix of the ground wire... lol

[Alycone]

Something like patient confidentiality?

[Cynic]

I've gone to the dealership where the car was traded in and asked them to contact the owner to see if he would release the records. The guy there said "People trade in their cars so they're not bothered by new owners"?? I thought they traded them in to get a new car...
I told him I could care less who this person is, I just wanted the history. Cut off the top portion with the personal details.
He's going to check with the person and "get back to me". Not holding my breath.
I don't see why you can't get the service records with the customer's info deleted. It just makes sense.

[kwren]

Originally Posted by Cynic

I've gone to the dealership where the car was traded in and asked them to contact the owner to see if he would release the records. The guy there said "People trade in their cars so they're not bothered by new owners"?? I thought they traded them in to get a new car...
I told him I could care less who this person is, I just wanted the history. Cut off the top portion with the personal details.
He's going to check with the person and "get back to me". Not holding my breath.
I don't see why you can't get the service records with the customer's info deleted. It just makes sense.

Next make them time get the dealer to get the records before you close the deal!

[Cynic]

I didn't buy it from the dealer...just know it was there a while ago so decided it was worth a try. The guy I bought from didn't have any.

[davew833]

I've bought and sold lots of cars and I've found it extremely rare for a dealer to save or provide any maintenance records from previous owners. Usually the dealer or wholesale auction will just chuck anything in the glove box-- it limits their liability, and removes any implication that they might be providing a "warranty" based on any documentation of previous repairs. If a new owner finds something wrong, the dealer just shrugs their shoulders and says 'well, we didn't know.' Once in a while I'll buy a car and find some scrap of paper with the previous owner's name or contact information on it. I've found that if I call and be extremely polite and apologetic for bothering them, I can usually get some kind of maintenance history out of them, usually only verbal, but better than nothing.

[JaySVX]

my.subaru.com is probably neat and all... but this little thing:

Activate a site for any model from 1995 through the current model year. My.Subaru cannot accommodate vehicles purchased prior to 1995.

I own a 94 and a 92. Is there any way around this? Or a viable alternative?