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Do u guys keep records of work?

T2urtle

T2urtle

Diamond Member
I'm a 90% diy guy and it seems there are a good amount of us on here.

I buy parts that I know I will need when they show up on clearance or other randoms. Being on local car forums u come across many things. For instance, I need my 4th gen maxima needed control arms at one point, so a local guy had the left one for sale brand new and I bought it. Down the road I bought all the tie rods (inner/outer) on rockauto clearance and then when it was time to do the work I bought the right arm. Did all the work about 6 months after. Got a alignment from a friend after hours(no receipt, paid in beer) Now I know I did the work properly. But say if I was to sell down the road, this situation would look fishy to some, completely bullshit to other and understandable to people like me. I do the same thing with oil changes and serp belts.

So now I'm wondering if u guys have a method of record keeping other then writing it in a word/excel or notebook u keep in the car.

I don't plan on selling any of my cars but u never know. If seen a lot of people claim they did a work only to find out it wasn't done. I would assume burden of proof is my problem, as many people can show paperwork of oil changes. I buy my oil/filter by the cases from my friend.
 
Both subaru and GMC have websites where you can keep a record of service. Luckily you can enter things yourself. For the Honda I just fill out the pages in the manual that the dealer would normally fill out for each service.
 
i always try to write stuff down, otherwise i will completely forget when exactly i did said maintenance. most cars have maintenance minders today, but its still nice to write down in better detail what was done, the brands of fluids/pads/rotors/whatever used, any issues, etc.
 
I only started to write things because last time I double up on my parents brake job.

I had completely forgot I did the rears a year prior. And then I was asked to do the fronts and ordered the rears as well. Turned out the rears were worn down to 50% and I just did them anyway. After that I made an exel of all cars I touch on a normal bases.
 
I have a spreadsheet I maintain, where I track all the work I do on my cars and bikes. Including cost of parts, and tax on it. So I have a record of how much money I've blown spent on them.

It can help in resale value if you're selling to an enthusiast. If selling to a dealer or some regular joe-shmoe, not likely to help as much.
 
no, but I wish I did.

when I get a new car down the road, I'll probably start keeping a notebook + sharpie in it.
 
T2urtle said:
Now I know I did the work properly.
Click to expand...

Are you a mechanic? If not, doesn't matter. No warranty period nor any recourse to the seller if something happens in what would have been a warranty period.

You insured for the work you've done? Probably not so if there was a failure of the part you replaced, prepare to get your ass sued off.
 
I just put the receipts in the glovebox. I don't detail the "work" because most of the time it's self explanatory. 2x brake rotors, spark plugs, filter, belt, etc. kinda makes it easy to figure out what was done.

I do point this out to prospective buyers and it seems to be effective.
 
I kept a spreadsheet for my CTS-V. I will likely do the same with my newest toy, but I want to keep a folder of receipts too (which I haven't done yet - at least not in a dedicated fashion).
 
Railgun said:
Are you a mechanic? If not, doesn't matter. No warranty period nor any recourse to the seller if something happens in what would have been a warranty period.

You insured for the work you've done? Probably not so if there was a failure of the part you replaced, prepare to get your ass sued off.
Click to expand...

Seriously? 🙄


To answer the OP, yes, I have basic records in an excel spreadsheet. Date, odometer reading, and what was done. Just for my own records more than anything since I have yet to actually sell a car. So far I've driven each one I've had until it couldn't drive anymore 😛
 
Everything that has ever been done has been done by the dealer. I keep all the paperwork they give me in a folder. They also have copies but I have my own to pass along to anyone who buys it down the line.

All the aftermarket parts I have added I've kept any instructions and receipts as well. Either I'll include them with the parts when/if I part out or I'll give them to the next owner should they choose to keep them.
 
SparkyJJO said:
Seriously? 🙄


To answer the OP, yes, I have basic records in an excel spreadsheet. Date, odometer reading, and what was done. Just for my own records more than anything since I have yet to actually sell a car. So far I've driven each one I've had until it couldn't drive anymore 😛
Click to expand...

Ya srsly!

Ya think that just because someone knows how to replace a drive shaft, change oil, head gasket... it automatically makes them a mechanic? You think that replacing something that causes a major mechanical failure that can be pointed back to that person...in today's America...you WON'T get sued? How naive are you?
 
Railgun said:
Ya srsly!

Ya think that just because someone knows how to replace a drive shaft, change oil, head gasket... it automatically makes them a mechanic? You think that replacing something that causes a major mechanical failure that can be pointed back to that person...in today's America...you WON'T get sued? How naive are you?
Click to expand...

I know the point your going at, as i've been on both sides of the fence. Guy says head gasket that has least a receipt for the part looks a little better then guy who says it was done with nothing. Either way its not the same as having actual paperwork from a shop. But getting sued part is bull crap. As almost all warranties only apply to the person who paid for it.

My lifetime warranty alignment at firestone only applies to me and my car, if it sold to someone else it would be valid.
 
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Railgun said:
Ya srsly!

Ya think that just because someone knows how to replace a drive shaft, change oil, head gasket... it automatically makes them a mechanic? You think that replacing something that causes a major mechanical failure that can be pointed back to that person...in today's America...you WON'T get sued? How naive are you?
Click to expand...

Privat party sales are usually as is where is. No warranties expressed or implied.

Give it a shot some time. Doesn't cost much to file in small claims. I betcha a six pack you get laughed out of court.
 
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