Can value be placed on service records?

It has no dollar value IMO but is a selling point that would affect a decision on a purchase.

fla-gypsy wrote:
It has no dollar value IMO but is a selling point that would affect a decision on a purchase.

x2
bumpy

I would place a great deal of value on the complete records on any vehicle. In todays world most people just dont care/or dont know how to maintain a vehicle. These records would be a great plus for buying that truck. :)

Like was said, no dollar value, but would make the purchase process easier between 2 similar trucks with the other not having any records. With that said, I maintain my Excursion just as we'll as the truck the OP is looking at, but I don't keep records. You can however see that it is maintained.

The value is not monetary but in the trust factor. With verifiable records you know the buyer is being truthful without the records such as what Dodge Guy is stating you must trust that the seller is being truthful but have no way to verify.
In the end verifiable records can easily become the deciding factor.

Aside from what has been mentioned, these records can be a of terrific value in diagnostics and trouble shooting, by knowing what work has been done, what parts are new, etc. Also helpful in planning future servicing.

If I buy a vehicle without such documentation, the first thing I do is go through the whole vehicle and service all the fluids including trans, rear axle, coolant, etc, change all the filters, serp belt, etc, just so I can reset the service intervals. If the vehicle had records that allowed me to avoid this upfront expense and just continue the maintenance intervals, I would save some money upfront on the initial servicing, so I would say there is definitely some monetary value there.

FWIW, I keep similar records on the Suburban.

I agree with the others. Dollar value wise it's hard to say there is anything but it sure helps people feel better about buying the vehicle and could be just what is needed to make someone go for it.

I just sold my Dmax a couple months ago and I know the new owner really appreciated all the records I kept of exactly what had been done.

It's certainly a lot better than no records and buying form the 3rd or 4th owner. IMO it shows someone who took pride in the ownership of his truck.

I had the exact same records for my 2007 3500 diesel. When I sold it, I think the buyer bought it BECAUSE of the records I had to give him. Other tire kickers that came around didn't seem to care one way or the other.

I guess what I am saying is that records like that will really matter but only to the right buyer, generally, that buyer is someone as fussy as the seller when it comes to vehicle maintenance. :)

The opposite to good records is this story. Friend bought a nice looking ford pickup. No oil pressure so he asked the chev garage who owned the ford. Called the guy to ask what oil he used and the answer was I don't know because I never changed the oil.
chevman