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If you have used a franchised dealership or national garage, then they will likely keep digital and paper records of the work carried out on their vehicles.
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.FDSH– Full Dealer Service History (sometimes called Main Dealer Service History / MDSH). This is when the vehicle has always been serviced by the manufacturer. A “Main Dealer” for example will be a Vauxhall dealer, possibly where the car was bought from, when brand new. FDSH is the best option, but you will pay a premium for the privilege. Look at the mileage at the time of each Service. Generally, most cars have a service interval of between 10,000 and 15,000 miles between each service.
A car’s service history contains dated records of the repair and maintenance work carried out on the vehicle. This information is extremely useful for car valuations, as it provides valuable insight into how well the car has been looked after – and the vehicle’s condition. 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’. We are not independent financial advisers and so are unable to provide you with independent financial advice. We are, however, independent of the funders and brokers we work with. 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. However, an incomplete service history isn’t necessarily a bad thing and doesn’t always mean anything sinister - sometimes it may just be that the car’s service history book is missing.
The car service record itself typically includes details such as the date and type of service, parts replaced, and any other relevant information. If a car has a problem outside its warranty period, a manufacturer is more likely to contribute to the cost of repairs if the car has a full service history. However, it’s certainly not a given that a full service history will definitely help you out and it would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Typically, the service schedule alternates annually between minor and major maintenance jobs, plus a few extra tasks that are performed according to the car’s age and mileage.
The service history should include any invoices and paperwork from the repair centre as well as the service book, which must be stamped by the technician after every service. If the vehicle missed one service, was taken to a non-approved service centre or is missing a stamp, then it would have a partial service history. However, the crucial distinction between a service and an MOT is as follows: a service is an optional vehicle inspection, carried out in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations, whereas an MOT is a compulsory annual test for all cars over three years old to ensure they meet the DVLA’s road safety standards. Basically, the car has been serviced by an official dealership on time, every time. All regular work has been undertaken, as well as major items like cambelts when they fall due. Diagnostic Assistance: In case you encounter any recurring issues with the car, a service history can be helpful for diagnostic purposes. It provides a chronological record of past repairs and services, allowing mechanics to pinpoint potential recurring problems or patterns and troubleshoot more efficiently. It means that any parts used will be from manufacturer-approved sources and will match the exact specification of the original parts taken off the car, rather than third parties which may or may not match the original ones.
Where do I find my car’s 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: Be wary of cars being sold by a “competent mechanic” (but with minimal service history). This is often a ruse and you have no way of knowing how competent or incompetent they are. 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. Thanks to modern technology, you can now find your car’s service history in several places. However, if your car is a bit older, it may be a challenge to find all of its data.
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