Digital Service Record - pah!

[Orcadian]

Got the new ADV in March (love it!) and discovered it has no service book. Dealer only now tells me it's all a digital, on-line system from now on. I live in Orkney and to get to Aberdeen for servicing involves a Ferry, 250 miles each way and at least one overnight stay. I have always used a local, well respected independent in Kirkwall - only 20 miles away and he stamped the book. This bike apparently has a 6 year warranty - totally worthless to me, unless I cough up the equivalent of a new bike over the 6 years in servicing/transport costs. Yes, my fault for living in such an idyllic place. The stealer was happy to take my money without informing me of this new system.

Ian

[Alan29]

Its a con to tie you into the dealers for servicing.
At least the record can be accessed by owners. My Skoda's digital service record can only be accessed by Skoda dealers and noone else, not even owners. That makes buying and selling second-hand Skodas a bit of a gamble outside the dealer network.

[Bellman]

When I bought my new Yamaha XMax 300 in March I didn’t get Service book with the scooter either, I’m not too concerned about it. My nearest Yamaha motorcycle dealer is just over 20 miles away, and the one I bought it from is 30 miles away. I’ll happily take the XMax back there for its servicing under Warranty.

I’m done with going to dealerships far from home and spending long days riding there and back and hanging about an unfamiliar town while the servicing is being done. In fact the Triumph dealership where I live and used for replacement tyres and MOT’s on my Forza 300 would happily do any servicing.

I’ve noticed when you’re part exchanging, you can bring in a fully stamped Service book, Service bills, and a sheaf of past MOT Certificates and the salesman just gives them a cursory leaf through.

Everything else is stored on a database these days, so why not Service records.

[Orcadian]

"Everything else is stored on a database these days, so why not Service records."

Because the only way I could have it on the Honda database means a 500 mile round trip plus Ferries both ways and at least one overnight stay.

Anyway, I have contacted Mother Honda and they have provided a link, so that my local very trustworthy independent can register (for free) to access and update the DSR. This might be useful for someone else travelling long distances.

Ian

[Andym]

Could you share the link please? I wonder if anyone can register?

I generally ignore warranty. You can jump through every hoop and still have warranty rejected. I work in the Automotive industry and can give you a few tips, but the simple fact is Honda are big and have salaried lawyers, the dealers squirm about who your contract is with (It's them) and any claim can become a nightmare. Triumph and BMW reject everything, Honda and Enfield and probably others will consider any claim regardless of service stamps. I save my money, do a better job myself, and potentially increase my risk of having to pay out myself by some small amount.

Selling, it's the same. My only interest is the number. Salesmen who want to list excuses (wasn't dealer serviced, unpopular colour....) do it regardless and pee me off if they don't skip to the number. The number is either accepted or not, I don't care how they arrived at it.

I've see Paggetts "make an error" / commit fraud. The bike I sold them with by own receipts and photos became FDSH when they sold it.

The electronic records make sense. Accept the bike was 5p cheaper if they don't print a book maybe.

Andy

[Orcadian]

Yes, I'll pm the link to you.

Ian

[MrGrumpy]

Anyway, I have contacted Mother Honda and they have provided a link, so that my local very trustworthy independent can register (for free) to access and update the DSR. This might be useful for someone else travelling long distances.

Ian

That's interesting - I'd assumed that access to the Digital Records was restricted to Honda dealers only. I'd be interested in the link too, as my nearest Honda dealers are 50 miles away in either direction, though I'm not too sure what sort of warranty I have as I bought 2nd hand. I've had no documentation about a 6 year service plan, and I presume that I've only got a few months left on the standard 2 year warranty - it was first registered in Sept 24.

[Orcadian]

Hi Mr G,
The access is only for registered independent garages, so not for ordinary customers.

Like a great many people, I'm not bothered about having a main dealer service record as such but on a new bike I would like to be able to get any recalls or warranty work done. This I could do when I could get bona fide stamps in the book. They have taken this away from me for obvious (financial) reasons!
I have had 3 Jaguar V12's, 2 saloons and one XJ-S, all with supposed 'full Jaguar service history'. Only when I lifted the air con compressor on each, did I find 2 very rusty spark plugs on 1A and 1B - the other 10 being reasonably new ones. Reason: they are a pig to get at, so get left to save time.

Ian

[capitano]

That's interesting - I'd assumed that access to the Digital Records was restricted to Honda dealers only.

No, digital records came under part of the law changes some years ago.

To maintain warranty, servicing has to be carried out:

- By a VAT registered garage
- using approved materials (note not just ~genuine~)
- at the manufacturer's/ditributor's precribed service interval

All access to records has to be provided on request, incuding digital records.

[Orcadian]

That's very useful info Capitano and might help others with this relatively new change to what we were used to.
Many thanks for that - I realise there are not many in my own position but if it helps just a few, I'm happier!

Ian