Read through used car listings and you’ll often come across the term full service history. It refers to records of the maintenance work that’s been carried out during a car’s life. Service history has traditionally been paper-based, but a growing number of manufacturers are switching to digital service records (DSRs).
DSRs help mitigate against paperwork being lost or thrown out – which happens surprisingly often – and against fraudulent records being created. In this guide, we’re going to explore everything you need to know about digital service records including which car manufacturers use them, how they’re kept and how you can access them for your car.
What is a service history?
A car’s service history records all the routine servicing that’s been done throughout its life, plus any extra maintenance and repairs. It’s traditionally paper-based, including a service schedule book that shows when routine servicing is due. At each service, the garage carrying out the work will put their stamp in the appropriate space, record the date and the car’s mileage. Some manufacturers now hold that information digitally.
Service history can also include invoices and receipts, and any notes the owner might add about their experiences with the car.
So, what’s the point of keeping all this information? It protects the car’s current owner against failures after work has been carried out on the car. That work will be warrantied, and the service history will show what parts of the car were worked on. And, for any future buyers of the car, it shows how well the car has been looked after.
Is it worth having a full service history?
It’s always wise to keep as much paperwork relating to your car as possible. A full service history including a fully stamped service schedule, plus invoices from the garages that carried out the work, shows any potential future buyers that the car has been properly cared for. As a result, it could be worth as much as 10% more than an identical car with little or no history.
Even if your car has a DSR, we advise keeping invoices and any other records with the car, so you have cast iron proof of the work that’s been carried out.
Unfortunately, it’s not unknown for unscrupulous sellers to create a fake service history for a car that had little or none to begin with, to make it look better maintained than it might actually be. That’s a criminal offence that DSRs can help mitigate against. You also need to do your own checks when buying a car, making sure it comes with the right documentation. You can also get a car history check for extra piece of mind.
How do I check my car’s digital service record?
How you check your car’s DSR depends on which make it is, but you should be able to do so by at least two of the following methods.
The first port of call is the manufacturer’s smartphone app, The vast majority of them now have an app available from the Apple App Store and Google Play that offers a range of features and functions relating to your car. They’re usually called ‘My [insert make]’ – MyPeugeot, My Renault, My BMW, and so on. Manufacturers that keep DSRs generally make them available through the app.
DSRs can also often be accessed via a car’s infotainment system. If so, you’ll probably find it among the options in the vehicle settings menu.
Your third option is to obtain a printed copy of the DSR from one of the manufacturers dealers. We advise getting one before selling your car as it’s easier for a potential buyer to see it.
Which car manufacturers use a digital service record?
It’s only a relatively small number of car manufacturers that keep DSRs, though it’s possible that more will follow in years to come. Those that currently keep DSRs include:
Volkswagen, Tesla, Subaru, Smart, Skoda, SEAT, Renault, Porsche, Polestar, Peugeot, MINI, MG, Mercedes, Mazda, Maserati, Lexus, Land Rover, Jaguar, Honda, Ford, DS, Dacia, BMW and Audi.
In all cases, these manufacturers make DSRs available through their customer app. But you don’t need to be tied to them, and it’s possible to create your own DSR for a car that doesn’t have one.
There are a number of third-party apps such as Servicefy, Loggy, Drivvo and Custodian that allow you to record your car’s maintenance and, in some cases, store documentation and notes relating to the work.
Can independent garages update a digital service record?
Any garage that’s registered with the Independent Garage Association (IGA) has clearance to update a car’s DSR via the manufacturer’s centralised database. That means they can maintain the car’s full service history even if they’re not directly affiliated with the brand. You can find out which garages are registered with the IGA here.
Unfortunately for those garages, each manufacturer uses its own portal for updating DSRs – Ford’s is called Etis, VW Group’s is ErWin. However, there’s now a service that streamlines the process. Digital Servicebook allows garages to access every manufacturer’s DSR portal from one place, so they don’t need multiple accounts or to be familiar with different user interfaces.
How do I transfer my car’s DSR to a new owner?
A DSR is tied to a car’s vehicle identification number (VIN), rather than the owner or even its registration number. So there’s no need to transfer it between owners. However, we recommend getting a print out of the DSR from one of the manufacturer’s dealers before selling your car, simply because it’s easier to show it to potential buyers. Also advise the new owner to download the manufacturer’s app, so they can view the DSR there.
