Is it legal to have a dashcam installed while your car is at dealer for service?
Do I have to unplug it?

reason I asked, a buddy of mine took his car in to local dealer
and here is what happened.
car was dropped off Friday around 6pm
that same night around 10pm, a service tech started the car
and revved the engine for about 10-15 seconds and poped the hood opened.
then the video stopped because dashcam power was off.
(car is with modified exhaust)

Should the dealer service advisor or manager know about this?
Is it even legal to have a dash cam inside a dealership (recording)?
Why would this tech working so late around 10pm? and why revving a customer's car when the dealership is closed?

any advice please. thanks!

[update1]
.mov file attached and
sound link- https://vid.me/e/lGq5

[update2]
last night, went in with my friend, we had a meeting with service dept. manager.
confirmed dealer service dept. closes at 7pm.
no night crew tech working after 7pm.
that "someone" is not a tech.
case under review/investigation.

 

why wouldn't it be legal? I've seen numerous "investigative reports" over the years on various news that had hidden cameras in cars at dealerships, not necessarily dashcams but all the same. If they were able to show that footage on TV i don't see how it would be illegal for you to just record it.

 

You have to check state laws. Some make it illegal to film without consent, and they were complaining about the C7 Valet mode, while it is perfectly okay in others.
Once you've verified the legality, bring it up.

 

Are you sure the dealership does not have a night mechanic crew. Some dealers have night time repair mechanics to handle with overloads, especially with all the recalls.

 

not too sure about it.

here is what I suggested:
stop by the dealer
meet with the service manager
ask if there are a night crew
then show the video clip

what do you think?

 

Did your friend drop off the car for the dealer's overnight service, where they guarantee to have the car ready by early the next morning? When else would you expect the dealer to service those overnight cars, except late into the night?

 

dealer hours:
Mon-Fri: 7am – 5pm(shop), 5pm-7pm for drop offs and pickup
Sat: 8am-4pm(shop), 4pm-6pm drop off and pick up

there is no overnight service I believe.

 

What is so foul about revving an engine? Is it possible the technician may have been working overtime, maybe to finish up his work?

 

updated- sound only.
https://vid.me/e/lGq5

 

This doesn't mean anything. A night crew works on cars checked-in during those hours, not taking in new ones.

 

It doesn't seem like a huge deal. He's not revving the **** out of the car or taking it out for a joy ride. A few revs won't hurt anything.

 

Just because they don't have service hours doesn't mean they don't work on cars after hours. That just means they're not working with customers. I dont think revving constitutes abuse or anything.

Also many municipalities have various laws about recording. Some video only, ie. no sound, is allowed. Some need all parties to be notified of recording devices.

 

Maybe the tech turned on the engine, noticed the car has an after market exhaust, liked the sound, and so revved it a little more to hear a little bit more of it.

 

LOL, aren't we being a little uptight here about revving an engine with an exhaust upgrade?

I have duel exhaust on my GX 460 and when I last took it into the Lexus dealer my service rep admitted that he revved it in the shop to catch the attention of the mechanics. My GX 460 exhaust is rare and they don't typically see this modification.

Why is this a problem?

 

I have a dash cam and I make sure to view the feed when I get the car back to make sure no funny business is going on. Revving the engine might bother me, but Im not sure I would bring it up. I might go to a different dealer next time