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I need some other people's opinions..I was cleaning up yesterday and I've run across 30-40 old oil change receipts, old starter receipt, and many other car repairs no longer under warranty. Is there any reason for a person to keep old car receipts?
I don't keep any receipt unless it pertains to some sort of warranty. I *do* track all the information (date, mileage, what was done and by who) in a spreadsheet.
So, the physical paper items, trash. The information might be valuable if you plan on selling the vehicle private party.
I don't keep any receipt unless it pertains to some sort of warranty. I *do* track all the information (date, mileage, what was done and by who) in a spreadsheet.
So, the physical paper items, trash. The information might be valuable if you plan on selling the vehicle private party.
Twenty or thirty years from now it might be nice to look at. You could tell whippersnappers that xyz only cost $ back in the day--and you could take a photo to prove it. Beyond that... no real need to keep. Most warranties on parts apply only to the person who bought it, and don't transfer to second owner (struts, tires, etc) thus if you flip the car you might as well throw out the receipts. [Can pass along any of the 8.5x11 sheets of work done, but the little credit slips I don't pass along.] Edit: a dealership is going to throw away those records (usually), and if you sell the car well used, the next owner probably doesn't care either (most won't). So it's of little loss I think, unless if you have some truly valuable vehicle that niche owners lust over.
I usually put all the info down into a little notebook, which can go to the next owner; and also into Excel. My receipts then go into a receipts box for tax purposes, filed by month. To be tossed out eventually.
Some people might like it from a private party sale perspective. Having Maintenance records is that proves the car was maintained is a "feel good" type thing that proves the vehicles history.
Funny how many people say they wont' buy a used car if it doesn't have proof that things were done and maintained/repaired properly, but wont' keep those receipts themselves... A log book is not proof.
Some people might like it from a private party sale perspective. Having Maintenance records is that proves the car was maintained is a "feel good" type thing that proves the vehicles history.
This ^. Being able to document with receipts that a car has been regularly serviced can mean the difference between someone actually buying your car or not when you want to sell it. If you can show a potential buyer, with service records, that the car has been well maintained, it can bring you more money from a buyer. Carfax reports do not necessarily show every service or repair that has been done to a vehicle.
If all you have to show a buyer are notations you've made in a notebook or a spreadsheet you've created, then they have no proof that the work you claim was done was actually done; they're just taking your word that what you say is true.
Put the receipts into a large manila envelope or folder to show a potential buyer when it comes time to sell the car.
Some people might like it from a private party sale perspective. Having Maintenance records is that proves the car was maintained is a "feel good" type thing that proves the vehicles history.
That's exactly why I KEEP the Original receipts, a spreadsheet doesn't tell me it WAS DONE. The receipts tell me it WAS done, when and how often...
It also keeps ME informed of what was maintained last, or what broke when and was fixed.
It also helps me to keep track of costs associated with the ownership of the vehicle.
When I read "well maintained" in a used car ad, I ask if they have the receipts. If not, I assume they are lying and trying to get a buck or two more for the car.
When I DO buy a new used vehicle, whether from a dealer or private party, I immediately within 3 months do my own maintenance {at a garage} so I know it WAS actually done as a starting point.
it's easy to keep a folder of auto maintenance, it's not hard at all. Really it isn't.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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When you consider how fast the cars depreciate, having detailed receipts for every oil change and other service proving they were done on time is not going to net much more in the way of resale. If traded in, the dealer won't care, their offer is based on blue book, and giving you as little as they can get away with. I remember my father years ago keeping a log book, including calculation of MPG every time he got gas. That helped him, because his 392 Hemi 1957 Chrysler Wagon fot 9-10 MPG, and any decrease helped determine that it might need some service. Back then spark plugs, distributor caps and rotors, fuel filters and air filters lasted 10,000 miles or less, if you were lucky. The modern car requires very little other than oil changes at 7,500-10,000 miles until 100,000 miles.
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