Why a Complete Car Service History Is Important for Buyers & Sellers

When it comes to cars, trust matters the most. A car is much more than a piece of machinery; it is your companion for daily travel, and sometimes even a status symbol. Therefore, whether you are purchasing a used vehicle or selling your old one, the car’s service history is very important.

Consider the service history to your vehicle like your report card. A service history is more than just a bunch of receipts or records of oil changes; the service history indicates the type of care and attention the vehicle has had up to that point in its life. There are numerous small service items such as brake pad replacements and tyre rotations, and also large service items like an engine rebuild. These records tell the whole story of a vehicle’s maintenance history.

For buyers, having a complete service history means peace of mind that the car hasn’t been neglected and that any future problem can be identified. For sellers, having a full service history builds trust; can improve resale value; provides a swifter negotiation process and ensures interested potential purchasers are genuine.

In this blog, we will investigate further into why you should keep a full car service history, how it benefits buyers and sellers and why it should never be overlooked when dealing with used cars.

What Is Car Service History?

A car service history is an extensive record  of all maintenance and repair work that has been carried out on a vehicle. This can include: 

• Regular servicing (oil change, brake check, filters etc.)

• Major repairs (engine, clutch, gearbox etc.)

• Accident and insurance repairs

• Tyre changes and alignments

• Battery, coolant and other part changes 

Even better, many service centers now store these details electronically, so it is relatively simple to check on a car service history online using your registration number or VIN.

Check: How to Maintain a Car Service Log for Better Resale Value

Why Car Service History Matters for Buyers? 

If you are considering a used car, the service history will help you:

• Avoid hidden problems :  Service records will show if the car had a recurring problem.
• Know true maintenance levels :  A car that has service done regularly is likely to be more dependable.
• Estimate future costs : Looking at past repairs can help you predict maintenance costs going forward.
• Negotiate better : Knowing that service history reveals gaps or accidents allows a reasonable argument to strike the price down.
• Observe comparisons of mileage :  A good portion of service logs will clearly define odometer readings, ensuring you discover tampering.

Why Car Service History Matters for Sellers? 

If you’re intending to sell your car, having a complete service history is an advantage:

• Build Buyer Trust : When buyers see proof of proper maintenance, they are happier to part with their cash and are more likely to pay a good price. 
• Improves resale price :  Cars that have complete service histories tend to be more reliable and consequently, attract buyers at higher prices. 
• Faster selling process : Having a service history means buyers feel confident, which helps speed up their decision-making. 
• Proof of genuine kilometers : Having service records, such as invoices and certificates, verifies that the vehicle has not been clocked or had its odometer tampered with.
• Greater chance with dealers : Dealers prefer to work with cars that have had a well-managed service record.

How to Check and Pay Your E Challan Via Official Portals

How Service History Affects Insurance & Warranty

A complete car service history doesn’t only affect purchase and resale, it could affect insurance claims and warranty claims: 

• Easier insurance claims : Generally, if your car is serviced on time, insurance companies are less likely to refuse claims based on negligence. 
• Warranty eligibility : Often car manufacturers will refuse warranty repairs if you cannot show evidence of regular servicing. 
• Lower premiums in some cases :  A well serviced car with a complete service history can even assist you with negotiating a lower insurance premium.

How to Check Car Service History Online

Thanks to digital platforms, checking your car’s service history is now easier than ever. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Check through CarInfo Website

1. Open the check car service history Page.
2. Enter your vehicle registration number in the search box.
3. Press “Search” to get the Service details of the vehicle.

Step 2: Call  the Manufacturer’s Service Centre

1.  Go visit or call your authorized service centre.
2. Provide your car’s registration number or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
3. Request service history- they can provide a complete record of all service done at authorized workshops.

Selling a Car Without Service History – Is It Possible?

• Legally, yes : Service history is not an essential document such as your RC, insurance or PUC. So you can legally sell your car if you are unable to find any service history or never kept one. 
• But…it impacts trust : Normally, buyers are cautious to pay a good price for your car without receiving service records, as they can’t trust how well the car has been maintained.
• Dealers will devalue : Car dealers will often chop the price a little for the sole reason of not having the service history as they believe there is a higher risk of problems hanging unseen.
• Private buyers will ask for checks :  They might ask for a mechanic quality check or negotiate harder with you.

You can sell without a service history but expect to see lower resale values. Keeping anything down, even basic records (or also getting a mechanics inspection before selling) will help you move the unit at a quicker rate and at a better value.

Conclusion 

A full car service history is a win-win for buyers and sellers alike! For buyers, it helps provide peace of mind and protection from fraud, while for sellers, it increases resale value and speeds up the sale of the car! For insurance and warranty, it is a safety net that will save money over time. 

So, whether you are buying or selling a car, don’t forget to check and maintain your car service history! It is the easiest way to prove the condition and reliability of your car.