What is a service history check?
Every time a car is serviced at an authorised dealer, the visit is logged in the manufacturer's central database. The date, the mileage, the dealer that did the work, and on newer cars, a full list of what was done. These records are held digitally by the manufacturer and cannot be changed by the seller. A service history check pulls these records using just the registration number.
This is not the same as looking at a stamped service book. Physical books can be forged, lost, or stamped by anyone with a rubber stamp. Digital dealer records come from the manufacturer's own system. They are the same records a franchised dealer would see when taking in a part-exchange.
The report also cross-references service mileage against MOT test data from the DVSA. If the mileage recorded at a dealer service does not match the mileage at the nearest MOT, the report flags it. This catches odometer discrepancies that neither source would reveal on its own.
What you get in the report
Every report includes the full service timeline, mileage at each visit, the name of the servicing dealer, and what work was carried out. Where the manufacturer provides it, you will also see CBS/ASSYST data (BMW and Mercedes), service type classifications, and any outstanding service items. All mileage readings are plotted against MOT data on a chart so you can see the pattern at a glance.
Service history check vs MOT check vs HPI check
Buyers often confuse these three checks. They answer different questions and use different data sources.
| What it covers | Service History | MOT History | HPI / Car Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dealer service dates & mileage | Yes | No | No |
| Work carried out at each service | Yes | No | No |
| Servicing dealer name | Yes | No | No |
| MOT pass/fail & advisories | No | Yes | Yes |
| Odometer readings | Yes (service) | Yes (MOT) | Yes |
| Outstanding finance | No | No | Yes |
| Write-off / theft / stolen | No | No | Yes |
| Price | £6.99 | Free (gov.uk) | £6 - £20 |
| Data source | Manufacturer DB | DVSA | DVLA, MIAFTR, finance |
MOT history is free and useful, but it only tells you the car passed its roadworthiness test. It does not tell you whether the engine oil was changed, the timing belt was done, or the brakes were serviced. A car can pass every MOT and still have years of deferred maintenance. The service history check fills that gap.
Who needs a service history check?
Buying a used car privately
Sellers can claim full service history without proof. Digital dealer records verify whether the car was actually maintained on schedule. Check before you commit, not after.
Buying from a dealer
Even at a reputable dealer, service records may not be available on the day. Running your own check gives you the data independently so you can negotiate with confidence.
Selling your car
Prove your service history to buyers with verified dealer records. Cars with provable full history sell for noticeably more than identical cars without it.
Dealers & trade
Check service records on stock intake, part-exchange appraisals, and auction purchases. Know what you are buying before you commit. Trade accounts coming soon.
How much does service history affect value?
Service history has a direct impact on what a used car is worth. Any dealer or private seller will tell you the same thing: a car with verifiable full dealer service history sells for more than an identical car without it. The effect is biggest on premium and performance cars, where buyers expect main-dealer maintenance and will pay a clear premium for proof. On mainstream cars the gap is smaller, but it is still there.
The impact goes beyond price. Cars with missing service records sit on forecourts longer, attract more tyre-kickers, and invite lowball offers. Knowledgeable buyers will simply walk away from a car that cannot prove its maintenance history when comparable cars nearby can. Whether you are buying or selling, knowing the service history puts you in a stronger position.
For more on how service history affects resale value, read Does service history affect a car's value?
How it works
Enter the registration
Type the car's reg number. We confirm the vehicle exists via the DVLA database and show you the make, model, colour and year.
Pay £6.99
Secure card payment. If no franchised dealer records are found, your payment is refunded automatically. You only pay when there are records.
Read the report
Full service timeline with dates, mileage, work done and servicing dealer. Mileage cross-referenced against MOT data. Delivered instantly.