Car service history: why it’s important and how to check for one

A car’s service history should be one of the first things you check when buying a used car. It’s the only way to reliably tell how well a car has been maintained throughout its life, which is vital to know before committing to a deal. Used cars often suffer plenty of wear and tear, so a good, full service history will give you the best chance of buying a car without any hidden issues.

Questions to ask when buying a used car

It’s for this reason that used cars with a full service history tend to fetch higher values than those without, and we think it’s something that’s usually worth paying for. Unfortunately, it’s easy for a service history book to get misplaced during a car’s life, which can make a used car much harder to sell. Thankfully, there are other ways to check for a car’s service history online or via a main dealer or a garage, which we’ll cover in this guide.

Service history is one thing to bear in mind when buying a used car, but there are other things to think about too. Used car warranties are worth investigating for added peace of mind, and knowing where to buy a used car will help you pick up the best deal. We also always recommend test driving any used car before handing over your cash, and reading up on the most common used car scams.

Why is car service history important?

A car’s service history is its record of maintenance, so it’s important for several reasons. Firstly, it lets you know when the last service was carried out, which will dictate when the next service is due. Without a record, it could be easy to miss a service, which could lead to future engine trouble. If you buy a car with no recent history, you’ll probably need to carry out some basic maintenance immediately, such as changing the oil, to be on the safe side.

As well as an oil change, service history should let you know when some of the most important parts of your car, such as the brakes, battery, tyres or cambelt were last changed. This not only lets you know if the car is healthy, but means you’ll be safer behind the wheel, too. These can also be expensive items to replace, so a used car without a service history could be hiding some big upcoming maintenance bills.

Another reason to look out for a more detailed service history is that it shows the owner took more diligent care of their car, so it’s likely they invested in it in other ways. It’s not unreasonable to assume that someone who kept up with their car’s service schedule was also more likely to regularly wash and wax it to prevent rust or carry out repairs before they caused more damage, for instance.

Lastly, for newer used cars that come with manufacturer warranties, it’s important to check service history because it shows whether the car is still in warranty. Although some manufacturer car warranties are valid for years, even once sold to a new owner, they will no longer be valid if the service intervals have been missed. Some manufacturers even offer warranty extensions for cars that are serviced regularly at an authorised centre, so it’s always worth checking.

How do I check main dealer service history?

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Just because the owner may have lost the service history, it doesn’t mean that the garage that did the work has lost it too. For most manufacturer main dealers, the records can be recovered, and they may even be available online.

Dealerships that are part of the same manufacturer network should all have access to the same service record database, meaning you can recover your car’s history from your local branch. Call up a main dealer and ask if they have any recorded history for the car in question. This could potentially add value to your car by providing more information about its history, or help clear up any doubts you have about one you want to buy.

If the car has been taken to a main dealer – even if that was 15 years ago – the dealer should be able to tell you so. More than this, most can confirm the exact date any work was done, the car’s mileage and the type of service; even which optional extras were fitted to the car from the factory.

Can I check my car’s service history online?

Some car manufacturers even offer access to car service records on their website. In most cases you’ll need to input the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to access the service history information, but this varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

How do I prove my car’s service history?

If you’ve lost your service history book but you want proof that service work has been carried out – either to give you confidence that the work has been done or because you’re looking to sell the car for a better price – many main dealers will sell you a new service book and stamp it up with all the confirmed services they find on their system. 

It usually isn’t expensive; some manufacturers will sell and stamp a service book for as little as £10 posted to your door, but it could add a lot of value to your car, even if the main dealer can only account for some of your car’s service history.

This doesn’t help if the car has never been to a main dealer for a service, but if that’s the case, it could give you an indication of how well the car has been maintained. It’s unusual for a brand new car to have never been serviced by a main dealer, so if that’s the case it raises immediate questions. 

What about car service history from an independent garage?

It’s similarly common for servicing at main dealers to stop as a car gets older and is worth less, with those running older cars often saving money by taking them to an independent garage. 

If an owner doesn’t have proof of a service, forgot to keep the receipts, or forgot to stamp the service book, you can still try reaching out to the garage they claim to have had the work done to see if they hold any records for the car.

This depends on the garage, of course, but some may be able to confirm if what the owner is saying is true. Others may not keep hold of this information for a long enough time, if at all, but it’s worth the phone call to check.

If you want to know how to keep your car in good health and keep its service history up to date, read our guide to main dealer servicing...