Check a car’s service history
Find out about the car's maintenance history before you buy.
One often hears that you should never buy a used car without having its service history. But just how important is the service history of a car? Should shoppers automatically walk away from the purchase of a car, simply because the service records are incomplete or missing altogether?
What kind of service records are there?
The service history of a car consists of any maintenance work done on a vehicle, regardless of the frequency, difficulty, or cost.
- Oil change
- Cabin and air filter replacement
- Windshield wipers replacement
- Battery replacement
- Changing spark plugs
- Wheel balance and rotation
There are also more critical records to look out for, such as timing belt replacement. Many vehicles require that the timing belt be changed after a certain mileage interval. Without service records, it is difficult to know if and when this maintenance has been performed.
Service history represents good ownership
One of the greatest benefits of buying a vehicle with service history is the peace of mind it brings. Owners who took the time and spent the money to regularly maintain their vehicle often tend to have taken better care of the vehicle in general.
If the previous owner kept all the service and maintenance receipts, one could assume they drove the car with pride and wanted to ensure it was in the best technical condition possible.
This is usually seen as a plus for used car shoppers. While a stack of service records does not automatically mean the vehicle is perfect, it is still a good sign.
What about vehicles with no service records?
If the owner of the vehicle you are interested in does not have the records available, this does not necessarily equal a red flag. Some owners perform regular maintenance but do not keep records, while others may simply have lost them.
It may also be possible that the vehicle was not properly serviced. These vehicles carry a much higher risk. Problems can arise when a vehicle has no service history, including unforeseen mechanical failure and expensive repair bills.
If you are a used car seller and have lost or never had the service history, showing the CARFAX Report to potential buyers demonstrates that you have nothing to hide about the car.
Check the service history on the CARFAX Report
If the vehicle was serviced by an official manufacturer or franchised dealership, records are maintained in their computer system. It is often easy enough to obtain them from the dealership directly.
There is another, easier way to find out the service history of a car. The CARFAX Vehicle History Report contains all reported service and maintenance records over the course of a vehicle’s lifetime.
What can you do to obtain service history of the vehicle you are interested in?
In addition to service history, the CARFAX Vehicle History Report offers used car buyers useful information including registration information, technical specifications, vehicle age, number of owners, mileage records, odometer manipulation, title history, and much more.
CARFAX’s ever-growing database contains billions of records from sources around the globe. Learning about the service history of a car and much more can help you avoid buying a vehicle with costly hidden problems.
Check in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises
Enter the VIN and check the available vehicle history before making your used car purchase decision.