How to Check Your Car Service History

Having a full car service history can be very beneficial, particularly when you come to sell your vehicle. We surveyed over 2,000 car owners and almost 50 per cent of respondents stated they wouldn’t be prepared to buy a car without a full service history. Of those who would, 20 percent said they would only do so with a hefty discount. This could leave you severely out of pocket if you’re selling your car.

Nevertheless, a lot of people are purchasing from online marketplaces such as Facebook in recent years as the cost of living has hit people’s wallets. Although more people are holding onto their cars for longer, rather than pay for maintenance, many people would prefer to try cheap purchasing options. The problem with this is that there is far less security in the transaction which includes an incomplete service history.

If you’re planning on buying a used car, or want to find out more about the history of your own vehicle, it’s worth knowing the following points.

What is full service history?

If you’ve ever purchased a car, you may have heard of full service history, sometimes also written as FSH. A full service history shows that the car has been serviced either every year or every 12,000 miles. This service would either have been completed by the vehicle manufacturer or alternatively at an approved service centre. It will detail any work that’s been undertaken on the car, such as tyre changes, new brake fluid and replacement oil or more serious repairs, such as a cambelt replacement.

As well as a completed service book showing the technician’s stamp after every service, a full service history should also include any invoices and paperwork issued by the service centre. In the event that a vehicle missed a service or stamp or was taken to a non-approved service centre, then this would count as a partial service history.

A full service history is very desirable as it shows that the car has been well looked after. If you’re purchasing a car, you should ask to see the service history to determine that the vehicle is in the condition that the seller states it is. If you’re selling a car, make sure that you have the service history available for the buyer in case they ask for it. You should be as open as possible with them about the history of the car.

If a car hasn’t got a FSH, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be anything wrong with it. It just means that you won’t know what work has previously been carried out.

How can I find the service history of my car?

Finding the service history of your car can be a bit of a minefield, particularly if you don’t know who the previous owners were or which repair centre they took the car to.

If you’ve lost your service book or misplaced your paperwork, don’t fret.

Get in touch with your usual service centre, who should have a record of your vehicle’s history - either in paper form or electronically. Provided you prove your identity and demonstrate you’re the owner of the vehicle, they should be able to issue you with any missing documentation. They may request to see your vehicle’s log book, otherwise known as a V5C.

Previous owners

If you want to find out the service history from previous owners you can fill out a V888 form via the DVLA’s website. For a cost of £5 (you can send a cheque with the form), you can request data from the DVLA, including the names and contact numbers of your vehicle’s previous owners.. This will enable you to then contact the previous owners and find out more information on the vehicle’s history. They may not have the paperwork to prove that the work was carried out, but you may be able to get some useful information. However, It’s worth noting that there may be circumstances where the DVLA are unwilling to provide this information and previous owners may not wish to help you either.

Perhaps you purchased your vehicle from a dealership. If you’re missing some of the vehicle’s service history, they might be able to provide you with some additional information.

How to check if the service history is legitimate

When purchasing a second-hand car, don’t get caught out by a forged FSH. As sellers know they can demand more money for a vehicle with a full service history, this is a crime that has become more prevalent in recent years. For any vehicle aged three years or under, service records should be held on a central manufacturer’s database. You can therefore always contact your vehicle’s manufacturer to double-check its service history.

Another check worth carrying out is to ensure that the repair centres listed in the stamp book are legitimate and that they do exist. You could even call them to verify that they worked on the car and that they completed the work listed in the book.

Finally, it’s always recommended to ask for proof of paperwork and any invoices and receipts to back up what’s been listed in the service book. This will show that the owner paid for the work that was carried out and will tell you when it was done too.

Keeping your car up to date

The cost of living crisis means more people are choosing to either not maintain their car or go to cheap, risky sellers. Kwik Fit has the Kwik Fit Club, providing tailored membership packages to manage your car’s expenses. These packages include cover on wear and accidental damage,* premium tyres and up to 8 alignment adjustments over the contract** among other optional extras, all in a predictable monthly fee.

If you check your service history and realise it’s been a while or you’ve just purchased a new car, why not get peace of mind by having it serviced? Book in for a service at your local Kwik Fit. Find out what’s included and which servicing option would best suit your car, or get in touch with us and we’ll set you up with one of our expert technicians for further advice.

*Subject to our fair use policy

**Subject to spec of vehicle