With an incomplete service history, you won’t have the full picture of how the car has been treated and what condition it is in. Therefore, you could be purchasing a car with hidden or developing faults that could end up costing you more money in the long run. This will usuallybe logged in a service book, which the local garage will use to document all of the work that has been carried. However, some garages may record the service history digitally - which means you will need to ask for a paper copy of the servicing documentation after the work has been carried out. Some manufacturers can be strict regarding where you are allowed to service the vehicle whilst it is in warranty - and what parts can be used. Not to worry - if you have lost your car service book, then there are a few things you can do to try and recover your lost service history.

Traditionally, a car’s service book would be stamped at every service, with the date and mileage noted down. However, most new cars now have a ‘digital service record’, which means that the data is stored on the manufacturer’s database and the service books are not stamped. So, along with routine things such as annual oil and filter changes, a service history is proof that items such as the battery, tyres, and light bulbs have been replaced. Put simply, it shows that the car has been routinely maintained and looked after, while the dates of repair and replacement reassure the buyer that this car is unlikely to need service in the near future.

What to do if I have lost my service book?

You should always be given an itemised invoice whenever your car is serviced, which lists exactly what work has been done and how much each job cost. Make sure you keep this information somewhere safe so you can refer to it again later if needed and so that it’s there when you want to sell the car. Depending on the type of service you choose, almost every part of your vehicle will be reviewed and either repaired, updated, or replaced. It will also ensure you stay on top of important maintenanceitems, such as cam belt replacement and air-con regassing.

A number of car manufacturers including BMW and Peugeot stopped issuing service books many years ago. Instead, they keep digital service records showing the maintenance and repairs carried out on their cars. It’s not just the manufacturer’s approved service centres who can update the records – independent garages can do so, as well, though there’s no guarantee they will. In some cases, you can view the car’s history on the infotainment system or an app. Alternatively, you can get a print-out from a dealer. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula here sadly, but being realistic, the best way to find out if service history is authentic or not, is just to use a bit of common sense. Let’s start with the basics: 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. There are reasons why “missing” or “lost” service records eventually impact buying decisions. Although you can negotiate with the aspect of missing service history, it is impossible to say the vehicle issue-free.More thorough drivers will always insist on an invoice at the time of paying for their car’s service, and collect those invoices. These itemise the work carried out, cost of each job and any parts replaced. Essentially, they form a paper trail that reinforces the log book with a detailed picture of work performed over the car’s lifetime. Dealers will often include the brand name in the service history acronym. So ‘FMSH’ could mean ‘Full Mercedes Service History’, for example. ‘FBSH’ might mean ‘Full BMW Service History’ and ‘FASH’ could be ‘Full Audi Service history’. Figures are shown as a range under WLTP testing measures. The lowest figures refer to the most economical/lightest set of options. The highest figures refer to the least economical/heaviest set of options. You may have to refer to the digital records of the work carried out on your car instead, which you can find online. In some cases, yes. You can request a copy of a vehicle’s Digital Service History – for example, Mercedes Benz allow anyone to fill out a form and request it, although you will need to note down your reason(s) as to why you are requesting it (for example: “ I am interested in buying this vehicle“).

If a car has a different garage stamping the book each time, or the services have not been done on time and every time, it’s a sign that the previous owner hasn’t shown too much care and probably doesn’t look after the car in other ways. How can I maintain a full service history? For instance, if you are planning to buy a car that has high mileage, it will likely have had one if not more of the following components replaced at some point:Reliable support– Our team of customer service professionals are always on hand to provide support and answer any queries you may have regarding your vehicle

It’s designed to keep the car running in tip top condition, doesn’t break down unexpectedly and ensure it’s safe and fit for the road. When the time comes to sell the car on, buyers like to see clear evidence that it has been serviced to this schedule.It’s often referred to as FSH or full service history in the trade. The figures provided are manufacturer’s estimates and will be replaced with the official EU test figures as soon as they are available. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO₂ and fuel economy figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, load, wheel fitment and accessories. A full service history can provide buyers with reassurance that the previous owner has not skimped on any maintenance, and has had the car serviced at the appropriate intervals. This is one of the may reasons why it is important to store this information yourself in case you ever need it.

The history can come in three forms. There’s the traditional method, which is where the garage that performed the work stamps the vehicle’s service book and records the mileage and tasks performed during the service. This book is typically kept together with the car’s handbook and various warranty documents, more often than not languishing in the glove box. Depending on your average annual mileage, cost car manufacturers recommend a servicing schedule which alternates between interim and full services. But how do these servicing types differ? And what areas do they cover? When looking at any used car, you should demand to see its service history so you can verify for yourself that the service record is complete. If a single stamp is missing or has not been done by an official dealership, it’s not a full service history. A service history is a booklet that details when and where a car received its routine service. Each entry is accompanied by a stamp from the garage that confirms a professional mechanic completed the service. Likewise, any repair work that's been done will be listed, along with the car's mileage.