FiSH? – Full Service History

legal updates

Where in “FSH” does it imply that only a main dealer has worked on the car?

Read our disclaimer keyboard_arrow_down

This website content is intended as a general guide to law as it applies to the motor trade. Lawgistics has taken every effort to ensure that the contents are as accurate and up to date as at the date of first publication.

The laws and opinions expressed within this website may be varied as the law develops. As such we cannot accept liability for or the consequence of, any change of law, or official guidelines since publication or any misuse of the information provided.

The opinions in this website are based upon the experience of the authors and it must be recognised that only the courts and recognised tribunals can interpret the law with authority.

Examples given within the website are based on the experience of the authors and centre upon issues that commonly give rise to disputes. Each situation in practice will be different and may comprise several points commented upon.

If you have any doubt about the correct legal position you should seek further legal advice from Lawgistics or a suitably qualified solicitor. We cannot accept liability for your failure to take professional advice where it should reasonably be sought by a prudent person.

All characters are fictitious and should not be taken as referring to any person living or dead.

Use of this website shall be considered acceptance of the terms of the disclaimer presented above.

The advertisements are legion – every car to be sold seems to be attached to the acronym “FSH!”

For years I wondered why any car should be sold with a fish. It occurred to me that I might have been misguided by my dyslexia, but I no longer suffer this, thank Dog.

Full Service History is an important and valued selling asset. It is taken more often than not to signify a vehicle has been looked after, in accordance with the maker’s recommendations, using proper materials and good quality main dealers. It works like a comfort blanket and eliminates any questions about the soundness of the car.

But does Full Service History really say that?

The words themselves, if taken literally, should signify no more than a full history of the car having been serviced. It says nothing about it being serviced on time, nor by main dealerships or with makers parts only being installed. A full service history might be a series of torn off cigarette packet flaps with a date and mileage written on. If each was in sequence and up to date, would that pass as a full history?

Where in “FSH” does it imply that only a main dealer has worked on the car? Why is it industry standard to accept without demur, the concept that FSH means fully detailed main dealer service only at the correct, maker-stipulated intervals?

It begs the question, “What is my answer to the customer who complains that the tenth service on his Bentley Continental GT, having been carried out in a fly blown, leaking Yurt on the borders of Outer Mongolia, using reconstituted camel droppings as lubricant, does not represent a full service history?”

The answer might be “It is a full history, but perhaps not one you might willingly accept”, even though in strict terms, it could just hold up under the Sale of Goods Act.

The lesson is clear. Always check the documents carefully both before you buy and before you sell.

As far as “FiSH” is concerned, perhaps Fins aren’t what they used to be!

ECSC Group plcMore Secure

On average 55 vulnerabilities are identified daily.

What can I do?

Review your organisations priorities and ask ‘can we afford a breach?’. What do I do during an incident? Who do I involve? When do I involve the ICO?

If you’re unable to answers these questions, you need help from the experts.

Jason WilliamsLegal AdvisorRead More by this author

Related Legal Updates

New & Improved?

Defending proceedings issued relating to whether the lack of a CD player in a new car was an “upgrade” or not.

Inspecting part-exchange vehicles

It is always a good idea to keep a paper trail for any transaction, especially in situations where representations are being made by a consumer.

Commission Disclosure Court Cases

The majority of the cases where court proceedings have been issued about commission disclosure are because our members have either ignored the correspondence or just decided not to engage with these fine upstanding companies.

Do NOT try to take away a consumer’s rights on an invoice

A Welsh Trading Standards department prosecuted a car dealer for “Furnishing a used car invoice to a consumer giving the impression that the consumer had less rights than they actually did.”

Misleading adverts results in £58,000 fine

The result should serve as a warning to all traders to ensure vehicles are accurately described.

What’s that pain between your shoulders? It’s the Trading Standards’ knife in your back!

Trading Standards are meant to provide help and suggestions to ensure future compliance.

Customer ordered to pay our client’s court costs in mileage dispute

A mileage disclaimer sticker was also displayed on dashboard at the time of sale, advising that the mileage must be deemed incorrect unless otherwise stated in writing.

Get in touch

Complete the form to get in touch or via our details below:

Phone
01480 455500
Address

Vinpenta House
High Causeway
Whittlesey
Peterborough
PE7 1AE

By submitting this quote you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.