Digital log book system launched by Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz has launched a new initiative to digitalise the service histories of the vehicles it sells in the retail market.

A complete service history has traditionally been accepted in the used-car market as a guarantee the vehicle has been maintained in accordance with the manufacture's schedule.

As such an incomplete or missing service history can cause real issues when it comes to selling a vehicle to a new owner.

However, the new imitative from the German car maker aims to make such occurrences a thing of the past - by putting all the information online.

The new Digital Service Booklet (DSB) is being rolled out across the car maker's range.

It is hoped the scheme will improve accuracy and efficiency in the market place, allowing the retailer to electronically record each subsequent service.

Detailed records are thus kept by retailers, reducing the burden on the consumer. It also alleviates one problem for rental companies.

Customers will instead be issued with service folders and print outs of the DSB records.

Drivers will also be able to request an official print-out when considering a purchase.

The new scheme will be introduced first on the new E-Class and CLS-Class models.

Non-franchised workshops will be allowed access to the database, although not to personal details.