What Exactly is a Service Bulletin?
When it comes to researching a particular used vehicle, it's always wise (and recommended) to check the history report and browse discussion forums where owners who own the same model share their experiences and discuss the various problems they have encountered.
You should also check Transport Canada's recall database - or the manufacturer's website, with the vehicle identification number (VIN) - to see what safety recalls have been issued.
However, there are no accessible lists of technical services in Canada, as these are initiated by the manufacturer itself, which is not required to publish them. (In the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website has a "Complaints" section with manufacturer communications in its recall section).
What is a Service Bulletin?
What exactly is a service bulletin? It is a set of specific guidelines issued by the vehicle manufacturer following a change in procedures in the original recommended method of service in the technicians' shop manual.
Primarily intended as internal communication for trained and certified technicians, this document highlights the diagnosis of a problem for a specific model year and details the new steps and procedures to be followed when repairing or changing a part.
Typically, a service bulletin is issued when multiple dealers report the same problem - either through self-discovery during the course of work or through customer complaints - and the manufacturer has reason to believe that the problem may be widespread.
Service bulletins are good indicators to spot problem vehicles, but they are only one of many tools to see if there is something wrong with a given vehicle. Problems can exist without a service bulletin attached to them. So the history of the vehicle you are interested in and the maintenance it has received are much more important things to check.
