How to check car service history
The service history of a vehicle is a documented timeline of repairs, faults and services relating to that particular vehicle. A full service history, as the name suggests, has all of this information, whereas a partial service history may have some gaps or missing information. Why is this important? Well, people want to access the service history of a car for lots of reasons. Buyers want to check that their prospective new car doesn’t have a history of repeated faults, while sellers want to be able to use a history of good condition as a selling point.
When was my car last serviced?
Another reason you might want to access your vehicle’s service history is to check when the last service took place so you know when to book your next service. Whatever the reason for your interest, there are several ways you can find information about your car’s service history. Most of these require you to know your car’s registration number and the vehicle identification number (VIN). This can be found in your vehicle log book or on the chassis of your car.
One of the easiest ways to check your car’s service history is to speak to the repair centre where your car’s servicing and repairs are carried out. Typically, they will have records of what was done and when, which you can use to piece together the service history of your car. You’ll have to prove that you’re the owner of the car – or that you have the owner’s permission – to access this information.
Alternatively, you could try getting a vehicle history check performed. These checks cost a small amount, but they can give you lots of important information about the vehicle in question, including whether it has ever been stolen, and whether there is outstanding finance on it. This can be done for cars you’re not the registered owner of, so it’s a good option for prospective buyers.
On the other hand, you could contact the DVLA with a V888 form that allows you to access their records on your vehicle. There is a small charge for this service, and you can only access information on a vehicle you are or have been the registered owner of, but it could be helpful if you’re struggling to find the information elsewhere.
Can I check my car’s service history online?
While most service history isn’t available freely online, you can access the MOT history of a car since 2005 with nothing more than the registration number. With this information, you can see when the next MOT is due, the mileage of the vehicle at the last MOT, whether it passed or failed and which parts had faults and failures. This can be done regardless of whether or not you’re the vehicle’s registered owner, so prospective buyers can easily access this information.
Do all cars have a service book?
In times gone by, all vehicles would be sold with dedicated vehicle service books which logged all services and maintenance work carried out to form a full service history. If the vehicle you’re checking has one of these, it can be a valuable resource to learn about its previous maintenance. However, in recent years service books have become less and less common in new cars.
Not having a service book isn’t a bad thing on its own. It just means you’ll have to contact your repair centre to access service information if you haven’t kept a record of invoices yourself. Potential buyers may find physical records more convincing, though, so keeping your invoice filed away might help when you come to sell your car. If you’d prefer to have a proper service book as well, you can buy one so you have a physical copy of your service records to hand.
When is my car due a service?
So you’ve accessed your servicing records, found out when the date of your last service was, and now you want to know when the next one is due. Well, it’s not quite as simple as it is to find out when your next MOT is due. Car servicing isn’t a legal requirement, so there won’t be a specific ‘due date’ by which you need to have your next service done. However, services help to prevent damage to your vehicle and avoid costly repairs. Plus, if something goes wrong with your car and it causes an accident, not keeping up with maintenance may mean you’re held liable.
There are different levels of car servicing available, and which one you should opt for next depends on what you had last. As a general guideline, it’s recommended to have a major service every 12 months at least. If you drive a lot, getting a full service at the six month mark is a good idea. Plus, interim services are suggested in between the full and major services if you exceed 6,000 miles between the two.
Can you sell a car without service history?
From a legal standpoint, there’s no reason why you can’t sell a car without a full or partial service history. However, potential buyers may be put off by a lack of information to reassure them. Naturally, a full service history is desirable, but a partial history can be enough if you can show that your vehicle is roadworthy. This is another reason why it’s a good idea to keep a record of all your servicing and maintenance invoices.
It’s worth noting that having a partial service history rather than a full one can have an impact on the final selling price of your vehicle. Prospective buyers may use the missing information as leverage to haggle the price down. In fact, research suggests that not providing a full service history can result in the buyer paying as much as 10 to 20% less for the vehicle.
All this goes to show that servicing is a vital part of your car’s maintenance routine, and it can even play its part when you come to sell your vehicle and get a new one. Book a service for your vehicle today so you can drive with confidence knowing your car is in great condition.
