Hi, I bought a camry three years ago. I only have the maintenance history of rececent four years. Now there is noise when car cold starts. Before changing timing belt, I want to know if timing belt changed, and when? I know the previous owner did maintenace in which dealer. When I asked the person there, he refused to tell me. He said it violates law. Is it true?
Thanks in advance
One would hardly think a vehicle's history is 'in confidence',...but stranger things have happened.
Jason
Didn't notice where you're from. Perhaps in your state or country it is, but I can call my Toyota dealer and get all the info I want on a car. Toyota has a nifty system where they can look up work done on any Toy at any dealer, so you might try calling Customer Care, or the dealer where the car was purchased.
I think they want you to think about doing maintenance that may not be required. I think it's working...
It is possible that there are some privacy laws where you live, since you are asking about service done when someone else owned the vehicle. I would check with some other Toyota dealers to see if they have the same policy or whether your dealer is mistaken.
go to carfax.com and put the vin number and it would tell you a bunch of stuff
As mentioned, it may be a privacy issue where you live. Or maybe the dealership is screwy. It wouldn't be the first time a Toyota dealership did or said something odd.
When I bought my Camry I asked the original dealership if I could get the maintenance records, and they obliged without hesitation. What they did do was tear off the top of the printout where the original owner's personal info was listed.
I'm very familiar with the privacy acts that we have. It dictates that 3rd parties (you in this case) are not allowed any information without consent from the original party (the former owner). However, that only translates on the information on them. As the owner of the car, you are allowed any service records on it. You are not allowed on who did it but knowing what was done and when is legal. The service writer may be erring on the side of caution as he's apparently not familiar with the regulations himself.
I'd suggest explaining that you want only WHAT and WHEN on YOUR vehicle and not who did it. If he/she refuses, I'd go to another dealer. Perhaps talking to Toyota themselves may help. I've never had any problems with my dealer but I've been going to him for over 18 years so he tells me what I need to know (without violating any regulations).
At best, the dealer's computer records only show dealership service work and warranty claims. It should be obvious that work (ie, oil changes) performed by an independent shop will not be included.
That's true. the OP doesn't say what year the car is, but when I bought my Camry it had just gone off warranty. I figured anything needing attention would show up on the records the dealer had.
Also, the previous owner had apparently done his own oil changes -- he had a list of odometer readings written on the inside cover of the owner's manual.
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