BMW service book - Do you keep track of the service history?
It is recommended that you regularly have service carried out and registered on BMW cars in a service book, so that you can maintain the car’s warranty. However, if both mechanic and car owner should be able to access the service history it does matter which solution is used. Did you know that there are solutions other than the BMW service book? Find out more about the different solutions here.
What are the requirements for servicing a BMW?
Like all other cars, BMWs must be regularly serviced. They typically follow the manufacturer’s instructions based on the number of kilometers driven since the last service – usually somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 km. Alternatively, the car is called in for service based on an annual interval of typically every or every other year, if the car is not driven that much.
In 2002, BMW launched their intelligent service system “Condition Based Service (CBS)” with their new 7-series model, and it is now standard in all new BMW models. CBS summons the car to e.g. oil change or something else based on time or the car’s use. It is designed as a flexible maintenance reminder for BMW cars. In addition to the recommendations on fixed intervals for kilometers or time, CBS collects information from the car’s many sensors to assess which parts require maintenance. This also prevents unnecessary replacement of parts and maximizes their service life.
It is important that the recommendations regarding BMW service are followed, as this ensures that the car remains safe to drive. During a service inspection, a mechanic can spot any problems before they occur or cause further damage, as well as provide insight into any future repairs, that may be necessary. Regular service on BMW also contributes to the car driving more economically by reducing fuel consumption, as the oil lubricates more optimally or ensures that the brakes do not seize.
As a car owner you are free to decide for yourself where to have your BMW serviced. However, you must be aware of which spare parts, oil etc. used in connection with service, as the warranty on the car with certain car brands is void if original/OE-approved spare parts are not used.
How does registering service on a BMW take place?
In the past, registration of service on BMW took place with a stamp in the paper service book, but BMW has long since moved away from this as they have launched their own electronic service book. This avoids some of the problems that previously arose if the service book was forgotten at home or lost, which meant that the service history was often incomplete. Of course, the car owner still receives an invoice after the service has been carried out, but very few people save these, and they can therefore rarely be used to get an overview of the service history.
Today, workshops – both BMW’s own, but also independent workshops – can register service on BMW in an online service book. However, it is not a requirement that you use BMW’s own digital service book for registering service on BMW cars, although many workshops and car owners have mistakenly got the impression that this is a necessity if the warranty is to be maintained.
As with all other cars, registration of service on BMW is a requirement if you want the warranty to be maintained. If you end up in a warranty case, you as a car owner must be able to document that service intervals have been observed and that service has been carried out in accordance with the regulations with approved spare parts, oil etc.
BMW's digital service book
BMW launched their “Aftersales Online System” (AOS) in 2011 with the launch of the then new BMW 1 Series. Thus began the transition from paper service books to a digital service book for BMW. Since then, the recommendation from BMW’s side has been that service performed was registered in this, although as mentioned it is not a requirement.
Data about the maintenance and service of BMW cars is stored centrally on BMW’s server and copied from there to the car. This enables the display of service history in the digital service book for the BMW, which is integrated into BMW’s iDrive system in the car.
BMW service history
As previously mentioned, it is good to be able to document a BMW’s service history if you end up in the midst of a warranty case. However, there are several other relevant reasons why you should keep track of your BMW service history. If you are employed at a workshop, it can be advantageous to know a car’s service history, so that you know what work has previously been carried out in relation to service and any repairs. This gives you the best conditions for providing the right service to the customer as well as troubleshooting and diagnosing the car when you, for example, know which of the car’s parts have previously been replaced or which could face replacement.
If you are a BMW owner or are planning to buy a used BMW, a complete BMW service record can help ensure that the car is traded for the right price, as it provides greater assurance that the car is well maintained and that there are no has fiddled with the trip counter to give the car an artificially low mileage.
BMW service book vs. Digital Servicebook
However, there are also other valid options for registering service on BMW, which are easier and more accessible to both workshops and car owners. Digital Servicebook is a Danish-developed software platform that makes the old paper service books and other digital service books redundant. With Digital Servicebook, the service history for BMW (and all other car brands) is gathered in one platform, one single solution.
Digital Servicebook is recommended by e.g. Danish Automotive Council and is used today by more than 2,000 workshops across the Nordic region.
For car owners
No more having to remember the paper service book when it’s time for service or the hassle of saving old invoices to keep some sort of overview. Digital Servicebook is always close at hand and available both on PC and in a mobile app. In addition, previous services from other digital or paper service books or old invoices can be added to the service history, so that it is collected in one place for all the car owner’s cars.
Pros for car owners:
- Valid documentation of service history
- Reminder about upcoming service via SMS
- Higher resale value of the car
- Prevents odometer fraud
For workshops
Mechanics can also benefit from using the Digital Servicebook. There is a lot of time saved by registering service in the Digital Servicebook compared to the car manufacturers’ electronic service books. Digital Servicebook has integration with a wide range of workshop systems, making it easy to transfer service data from the invoice to Digital Servicebook.
Pros for workshops:
- Faster registration of service
- Full access to service history of all cars
- OE data and campaign searches
- Upload service photos directly from the phone
Try Digital Servicebook today
Have you wanted to try Digital Servicebook? See the clear advantages for you – regardless of whether you are a car owner or a mechanic – by pressing the buttons below.
Are you a car owner?
Car owners can register their car(s) for free with Digital Servicebook. It is simple and easy to get started. Read more via the link below!
Are you a mechanic?
We offer workshops a free 30-day trial period with full access to Digital Servicebook. See how much time you can save. Sign up here!
