A major fleet operator has been experiencing problems getting the electronic service records of some premium cars updated at independent garages.

“About 30% of our fleet is premium brands,” the fleet operator said. “A lot of them have an electronic service record stored in the vehicle rather than having a handbook which is stamped when the vehicle has been serviced.

“We have to get the vehicle into the dealer network to get the record up to date or it affects the resale value.”

But EU regulations state that electronic service records should be accessible for independent garages, free of charge.

According to industry experts it is possible for independents to update electronic service records of premium brands like BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz  but the problem is that it is not always obvious how to.  

Terry Gibson, operations manager at the Independent Garage Association (IGA), said: “The issue of digital/electronic service records poses a challenge for the independent sector but it is not an insurmountable one and it is a situation that is improving by the day.”

He advises any independents experiencing problems to contact the IGA.

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