How do I check my car’s service history?
Key takeaways
A car's service history is a summary of all the maintenance, repairs and servicing that has been done on the vehicle
The service history should be logged in the car's service book
You can fill gaps in a car's service history by contacting its manufacturer, the DVLA and previous owners
What is a car service history?
It is a summary of all the maintenance, repairs and servicing that has been done on your vehicle since it was first manufactured and bought.
A vehicle service history includes the dates on which your car was checked or repaired by a mechanic, and details on what work was done on it.
How do I find a car’s service history?
A car's service history should be logged in the car's service book, which comes with the vehicle.
But sometimes car service books can be incomplete or missing entirely. In that case, you can often find information about your vehicle from the following places:
Car’s manufacturer, garage or dealership
Large dealerships and garages usually keep records of all the work they perform. These days its often digital and much easier to find.
If your car was serviced at a franchised dealership (one that has a contract with the manufacturer) these records should be kept on a centralised database by the manufacturer, and they can pass this information on to you. Independent garages are less likely to have the information as easily accessible, but it’s still worth a try.
To get these records you will need to prove you own the car. Dealerships and garages may ask for your vehicle identification number (VIN), which is usually found on the car door frame, and your V5C form (also known as a vehicle log book). You may also be charged an admin fee.
Motoring organisations
A number of motoring organisations can run a vehicle history check on a car. Basic checks can be done for free, or you can get more detailed information for a small fee.
This type of check is useful for when you're buying a car without a full service history and want to check that the sale is legitimate. It can tell you things like:
If the car has been reported as stolen
If the car has been written-off by insurance companies
If the car has had its mileage altered
If there's outstanding finance on the car
DVLA
You can contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) through the UK government website and ask them for the information they hold on your vehicle. You’ll need to complete a V888 form to do this.
You can only receive information for car you own or have owned previously, not a car you’re looking to buy.
You can also use the government website to search for a car’s MOT history. Many car owners use the same garage for their car's servicing and MOTs, so this can also point you in the direction of who to contact for information on the car's service history.
Previous owners
You can try to contact previous owners of a vehicle and ask them if they can provide any more information on the service history of the car.
What can I do if I lose my service book?
If you’ve misplaced your physical service book, get in touch with the last place that serviced your car. They should have their own records.
Most dealerships and approved garages will keep information on a centralised online database. If your car is serviced by a franchised dealership then your record should be kept by the local dealership as well as the manufacturer itself.
You’ll need to prove you own the car to get your car’s service details. You are likely to be asked for your car’s registration details and its vehicle identification number (VIN).
Why is a car’s service history important?
It provides evidence that the car has been looked after with regular checks and maintenance (servicing helps extend a vehicle’s lifetime)
It gives you peace of mind any issues will have been flagged before they become a bigger (and more expensive) problem
A car service history is useful for car insurance, because it allows insurers to more accurately determine a vehicle's value if it needs to be replaced
You may be required to show a full service history if getting your car repaired under warranty
When buying a car, the service history shows that the transaction is legitimate and if there are any recurring issues
Cars with full service histories tend to attract more buyers and fetch higher prices when resold
Car buyers may be able to use service history gaps or reported issues with the car to negotiate a lower price
What is meant by a full service history (FSH) and part service history (PSH)?
Full service history (FSH)
A car with a full service history (FSH) has a complete record of all the maintenance, checks, servicing and repair work that has ever been done to the car.
If all this mechanical work has taken place at approved dealerships the car will also have a full dealership service history (FDSH). An approved dealership is a garage that has a contract with the car's manufacturer.
Cars with a FSH (and especially a FDSH) usually sell for more money, since buyers can be confident that they have the full picture of the vehicle's condition.
Part service history (PSH)
A car has a part service history (PSH) if there is any information missing from its service history.
A car can end up with a PSH because:
an annual service was missed
work was carried out at a non-approved garage
the information wasn't properly logged
It is sometimes possible to turn a part service history into a full service history by tracking down the missing information from dealerships.
There isn't necessarily anything wrong with a car that has a PSH. However, buying it is more risky as there's no guarantee that all serious issues with the car have been flagged.
For that reason, cars with a PSH are usually much cheaper to buy, and you can use a PSH as a reason to negotiate on the price with a seller.
What’s included in a vehicle service?
A standard service should check all the parts of your vehicle are functioning correctly, including:
Brakes, suspension, steering, lights and exhaust
Oil and other fluids
Engine, transmission, and other parts
Bodywork
Car battery
Charging ports and cables if your car is electric
Safety check
A vehicle service often also includes some maintenance work if required, such as:
Oil change
Air-conditioning re-gas
Replacements of parts like filters and spark plugs
Wheel realignment and balancing
The vehicle service should also identifying any bigger issues that need addressing.
It is recommended that you get your car serviced every year or every 12,000 miles, whichever you hit first.
Author
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
Reviewer
Beth Leslie
Senior Insurance Content Editor
Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
