You have found your perfect car, it is the perfect specification, mileage and meets all your needs. But there is one thing that you need to know, what kind of service history does the car have? As a potential buyer of the vehicle, you can enquire about how well the vehicle has been maintained over its lifetime, which will give you an indication of the performance you can expect from the car.
According to a report by Kwik Fit, almost half of the people who completed the survey said they would not purchase a car that did not have a full-service history. What is more, those who would still buy without a service history expect a hefty discount – on average 19% – to take on the extra risk of a vehicle with an unknown past.
What is a service history?
Service histories are fingerprints of every service completed on a vehicle throughout its life. Tyre changes and brake fluid replacements are included in this category of general services.
Is it legal to sell a car with no service history?
Yes, it is completely legal to sell a vehicle with no service history. However, as a buyer, it is your responsibility to understand the risks and complete all the checks to make an informed decision.
What is a full-service history of a car?
A Full-Service History (FSH) proves that a vehicle has been maintained according to the service schedule set by the manufacturer. Usually, this involves a general service every year or every 12,000 miles.
All servicing and repairs should be backed by official documents, either from a manufacturer-operated garage or an approved service centre.
The full-service history of a car is always coveted as it proves the vehicle has been well looked after.
What is a partial service history?
A Full-Service History is void if a service was skipped one year, the vehicle was serviced at an unapproved service center, or the service book was not stamped. The car must instead be sold with only a partial service history (PSH).
As a car with a partial service history is not always going to have problems, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Despite this, you have no way of knowing how well the car has been maintained over the years.
How can I find the service history of my car?
You can find the service history of a car by looking at the service book. It is not always possible to do this. In some cases, service books are lost, misplaced, or withheld intentionally. You have a few options if you find yourself in this situation:
- Ask the owner to contact the regular service provider
Most service providers keep detailed records of services and repairs. If the owner knows what mechanic the car is usually taken to, they should be able to pull up records. - Contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is a great resource when it comes to tracking down the service history of a car. On the DVLA website, you can use the V888 form to request information about the previous owners of the vehicle. As long as you have a ‘reasonable cause’ for making the request, the DVLA may be able to supply their contact details, which you can use to contact the previous owners and request more information about the service history of a car. There are no guarantees you will find any useful information, but it is always worth a try. - Watch out for Forged Full Service History
Sellers know the value of a full-service history; some choose to forge documents to secure a higher price. If you have any suspicions regarding the service history of the car, it is worth contacting the service provider listed to confirm the information is genuine.
Now you understand how to check the service history of the car, it is time to arrange the finance. The monthly budget can be a key factor which is why you can get an indication of the payments from our finance calculator.
For more information, contact us by email or give us a call on 0203 950 1960