Alex Robbins is contributing editor at Telegraph Cars where, as well as responding to readers’ queries, he also contributes reviews of new and used cars, together with articles on buying and selling. 

His knowledge of the used car market informs his many buying guides relating to the best buys in particular sectors, with an emphasis on value for money.  Every week he will answer your questions on buying and selling, as well as solving your car problems, whether consumer or mechanical.

Do you have a motoring dilemma you’d like our expert to solve?  For consumer and used car advice, or car faults, email CarsAdvice@telegraph.co.uk and include your subscriber number. This week’s question…

Dear Alex,

I bought a used 2016 Peugeot 108 at the end of May this year from a Peugeot dealer and was given the manual but no service history book. I was told that it would follow but ever since I have been calling by phone and in person and have still not received it. Would I be able to sell the car without the service history? If not, can I return the car to the dealer and request my money back? And would I expect to receive back what I paid for it?

– BM

Dear BM,

If the dealer promised you a service history book, then you should get one. Sadly, this long after the event the fact of the matter is that the dealer has probably lost the book – if, indeed, there ever was one. It may be that the salesperson said that the service book would be forwarded to you simply to fob you off.

Frankly this is unacceptable on their part. While it is entirely possible for you to sell the car without the service history book, you may get less money for it as you can’t prove it’s been serviced on schedule every year. And quite apart from anything else, if the car doesn’t have any service history, it’s not the car that was sold to you.

If you like the Peugeot, there’s no reason to reject it, but I would be putting a complaint in writing to the dealer principal, with a view to getting some money back on the basis that the car was missold.

If the dealer principal refuses, there are legal avenues open to you. However, the difficulty you may have is proving that the car was sold to you as one with a service history, especially if you only had the verbal promise of the salesperson and there’s no written confirmation to go with it. One rule of thumb I always follow is that if a salesperson promises you something, get them to put it in writing (preferably noted on the sales order form or receipt) – otherwise, I’m afraid that promise is worth nothing in legal terms.

Since I replied to you with the above, you have been back in touch to let me know that you did indeed go back to the dealer and push for them to do something about the lack of service book. The salesperson said that the previous owner had not forwarded the service book, but offered to make up a duplicate book stamped up-to-date, as all of the services had so far been carried out at his and one other Peugeot dealership. You confirmed that you were satisfied with this outcome.

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