One often hears that you should never buy a used car without having its service history. But just how important is the service history of a car? Should shoppers automatically walk away from the purchase of a car, simply because the service records are incomplete or missing altogether? What are the possible consequences of buying a vehicle which hasn’t undergone the proper maintenance services? Here at CARFAX, we take a look at these questions and explain the importance of the service history of a car, as well as where you can find the complete history of service records.
What kind of service records are there?
The service history of a car consists of any maintenance work done on a vehicle, regardless of the frequency, difficulty, or cost:
Oil change is perhaps the most common maintenance performed on a vehicle is to regularly change the oil.
Cabin and air filter replacement
Windshield wipers replacement
Battery replacement
These common forms of vehicle maintenance are all typically quick and easy ways to maintain a vehicle. Other maintenance services that can put a strain on your wallet include:
Changing spark plugs. If the spark plugs are covered in a buildup or simply worn out, the engine will not operate efficiently. This means extra fuel costs and can lead to a breakdown in the future.
Wheel balance and rotation. It’s also important to ensure the tires are balanced and rotated. Having the car properly aligned also prevents the need to replace all four tires at once (which can be very expensive) due to uneven wear.
But there are some records in the service history of a car which are more critical to look out for:
Timing belt replacement. Many vehicles require that the timing belt be changed every 100,000-120,000 kilometers. This service can be an expensive and failing to perform it can result in the belt snapping. When a timing or serpentine belt fails, your car will break down wherever it is, and there is a risk that other significant parts will be damaged due to the failure. A snapped timing belt can also lead to an engine replacement being necessary, which increases the costs of repair significantly.
Without having the service history of a car, it’s very difficult to know if and when this maintenance has been performed.
Check the service history on the CARFAX Report
What can you do to obtain service history of the vehicle you are interested in?
If the vehicle was serviced by an official manufacturer or franchised dealership, records are maintained in their computer system. It is often easy enough to obtain them from the dealership directly.
There is another, easier way to find out the service history of a car. The CARFAX Vehicle History Report contains all reported service and maintenance records over the course of a vehicle’s lifetime.
In addition to the service history, CARFAX’s Vehicle History Report offers used car buyers a lot more useful information, including:
Registration information
Technical specifications
Vehicle age
Number of owners
Mileage records
Odometer manipulation
Title history
And much more…
Our ever-growing database has over 14 billion records from sources around the globe. Learning about the service history of a car and much more can help you avoid buying a vehicle with costly hidden problems. Check the CARFAX before you buy!
