What is a Car Service History Check? Digital Verification Explained

When buying a used car, sellers often claim "full service history" or "all main dealer servicing." But how can you verify these claims? Enter the car service history check - a revolutionary digital verification tool that's changing how UK buyers confirm maintenance records.

A service history check accesses manufacturer databases directly via the VIN to retrieve actual service records from main dealers. For 2012+ vehicles from 43 major manufacturers, you can now verify exactly when, where, and what service work was performed - solving the age-old problem of lost service books and fraudulent claims.

The Traditional Service History Problem

For decades, buyers have relied on physical service books to verify maintenance. This system has massive flaws:

Lost Service Books

The Problem:

• Owners lose service books
• Books go missing during ownership changes
• Older cars often have no documentation
• "I lost the book but it was serviced" - impossible to verify

The Impact:

• Car loses 10-30% of its value instantly
• Buyers walk away from otherwise good cars
• Genuine maintenance history disappears
• Sellers can't prove what they've spent

Real Example: 2018 BMW 5 Series with genuine full BMW dealer history. Owner lost service book. Car worth £25,000 with history, only £20,000 without. Owner lost £5,000 in value because they couldn't prove the servicing they'd paid for.

Fake Stamps and Fraudulent Records

The Problem:

• Service book stamps can be faked easily
• Blank service books available online
• "Independent specialist" stamps mean nothing
• No way to verify stamp authenticity

Common Scams:

• Seller buys blank service book on eBay
• Stamps it themselves with fake garage details
• Claims "full service history"
• Buyer has no way to verify

Real Example: Man sold Audi A4 with "full Audi dealer history." Buyer later discovered all stamps were fake - created with a stamp bought online. Car had never seen an Audi dealer. Buyer overpaid by £3,500.

Incomplete Documentation

The Problem:

• First owner kept book, second didn't
• Some services recorded, others missing
• Mix of dealer and independent with no detail
• Gaps in history impossible to fill

The Result:

• Buyer doesn't know true maintenance level
• Can't verify critical work (timing belt, etc.)
• Risk of buying poorly maintained car
• No proof of claimed maintenance

"Full Service History" You Can't Verify

The Claim: "This car has full main dealer service history throughout."

The Reality:

• No documentation provided
• "I'll find the receipts and send them" - never happens
• Digital records on "my computer at home"
• Trust me claims with zero evidence

What Buyers Face:

• Take seller's word (risky)
• Walk away from potentially good car
• Offer much less due to uncertainty
• No way to verify truth

This is the problem digital service history checks solve.

How Digital Service History Checks Work

Since approximately 2012, major car manufacturers have been recording all main dealer service work digitally in centralized databases. This created a goldmine of verifiable maintenance data.

The Technology

Step 1: VIN Lookup

• Service history check uses the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• VIN uniquely identifies your specific car
• Links to manufacturer's database

Step 2: Manufacturer Database Query

• Check queries the manufacturer's original equipment (OE) database
• Database contains every service performed at their dealer network
• Data recorded in real-time when service performed
• Stored permanently in manufacturer systems

Step 3: Data Retrieval

• Service history check retrieves complete record
• All dealer services from 2012 onward
• Formatted into readable report
• Delivered instantly online

Step 4: Verification

• Cross-reference with seller's claims
• Verify service dates and mileage
• Confirm work actually performed
• Validate "full dealer history" statements

Data Source: Original Equipment (OE)

Why This Matters:

• Data comes directly from manufacturer
• Not third-party estimates or assumptions
• Actually recorded by dealer at time of service
• Can't be faked or manipulated
• Manufacturer's own records

This is as authoritative as it gets.

Coverage: 2012 Onward

Why 2012+?

From around 2012, manufacturers began recording service data digitally en masse:

• Dealer management systems went fully digital
• Centralized databases became standard
• Real-time synchronization implemented
• European-wide data recording

Pre-2012 Vehicles:

• Limited or no digital records
• Rely on traditional service books
• Manufacturer databases incomplete
• Check won't reveal much

2012+ Vehicles:

• Comprehensive digital records
• All main dealer services captured
• Complete maintenance timeline
• Fully verifiable history

What Service History Checks Reveal

When you run a service history check on a 2012+ vehicle, here's the comprehensive information revealed:

1. Service Event Dates

What You See:

• Exact date of each service
• Timeline of all maintenance
• Frequency of servicing
• Gaps between services

Example:

• 21/10/2019 - Service performed
• 15/04/2020 - Service performed
• 22/11/2020 - Service performed
• 08/06/2021 - Service performed

What This Tells You:

• Car serviced regularly or neglected
• Long gaps indicate poor maintenance
• Recent service or overdue
• Seller's claims match reality

2. Mileage at Each Service

What You See:

• Recorded mileage at every service event
• Independent mileage verification source
• Progression over time
• Additional clocking detection

Example:

• 21/10/2019 - 69,343 km (43,070 miles)
• 15/04/2020 - 82,156 km (51,037 miles)
• 22/11/2020 - 95,421 km (59,284 miles)
• 08/06/2021 - 108,932 km (67,679 miles)

What This Tells You:

• Mileage progression is consistent
• Spot clocked mileage (numbers go backwards)
• Annual mileage patterns
• Cross-check with MOT records

Value: Additional mileage verification beyond MOT history, recorded by official dealer network.

3. Service Provider Details

What You See:

• Official dealer name
• Full address with postcode
• Specific location that performed work

Example: "Premier BMW Service Centre, 2 York Road, Leicester, LE4 9LS, United Kingdom"

What This Tells You:

• Verify actual main dealer servicing
• Confirm service was at authorized dealer
• Check dealer reputation
• Prove "main dealer history" claims
• Geographic service location history

Why It Matters: Main dealer servicing adds 10-20% to resale value vs independent garage servicing. This proves it actually happened.

4. Service Type Identification

What You See:

• Type of service performed
• Classification of work

Types Include:

• Annual service
• Interim service
• Major service
• Inspection
• Recall work
• Warranty repair
• Specific maintenance item

What This Tells You:

• Appropriate service schedule followed
• Major services performed when due
• Manufacturer recommended maintenance adhered to

5. Specific Service Actions Performed

What You See:

• Detailed list of work performed
• Individual actions during service
• Parts and fluids changed

Example Service Actions:

• "Engine: oil and filter change"
• "Brake fluid replaced"
• "Air filter replaced"
• "Pollen filter changed"
• "Vehicle health check performed"
• "Brake pads replaced - front axle"
• "Timing belt replaced"

What This Tells You:

• Exactly what work was done
• Critical maintenance performed (timing belt, etc.)
• Items replaced vs just inspected
• Value of maintenance received
• Proof of expensive work claimed

Real-World Value: Seller claims "timing belt changed last year" - service history check proves it (or proves they're lying). Timing belt replacement costs £600-£1,200. Verification prevents buying a car needing imminent expensive work.

6. Complete Maintenance Timeline

What You Get:

• Full chronological service history
• Every dealer interaction
• Complete maintenance story
• Car's care level over time

Example Report:

Service History for VIN: WBADT43452G123456

Service Event 1:
Date: 21 October 2019
Mileage: 43,070 miles
Provider: Premium BMW Service, Leicester LE4 9LS
Type: Annual Service
Actions: Engine oil and filter change, Brake fluid replaced

Service Event 2:
Date: 15 April 2020
Mileage: 51,037 miles
Provider: BMW Main Dealer, Birmingham B2 4QA
Type: Interim Service
Actions: Oil and filter change, Pollen filter replaced

Service Event 3:
Date: 22 November 2020
Mileage: 59,284 miles
Provider: Premium BMW Service, Leicester LE4 9LS
Type: Major Service
Actions: Oil and filter change, Brake fluid change, Air filter, Spark plugs replaced

Service Event 4:
Date: 08 June 2021
Mileage: 67,679 miles
Provider: BMW Service Centre, Nottingham NG2 1RW
Type: Annual Service
Actions: Oil and filter change, Vehicle health check

What This Proves:

• Consistent main dealer servicing
• Regular maintenance schedule
• Well-maintained vehicle
• Seller's "full BMW history" is TRUE

Manufacturer Coverage: What's Included

Service history checks currently cover 43 major manufacturers for vehicles from 2012 onward, including all the most popular brands in the UK:

Premium Brands

• Audi - Full coverage
• BMW - Full coverage
• Mercedes-Benz - Full coverage
• Porsche - Full coverage
• Jaguar - Full coverage
• Land Rover - Full coverage
• Lexus - Full coverage
• Mini - Full coverage
• Bentley - Full coverage
• Ferrari - Full coverage
• Maserati - Full coverage

Volume Brands

• Volkswagen - Full coverage
• Ford - Full coverage
• Vauxhall - Full coverage
• Toyota - Full coverage
• Honda - Germany coverage only
• Nissan - Full coverage
• Mazda - Full coverage
• Kia - Full coverage
• Hyundai - Coverage available
• Suzuki - Full coverage
• Subaru - Full coverage

European Brands

• Peugeot - Full coverage
• Renault - Full coverage
• Citroen - Full coverage
• Fiat - Full coverage
• Alfa Romeo - Full coverage
• Volvo - Workshop remarks only
• SEAT - Full coverage
• Skoda - Full coverage
• Dacia - Full coverage
• DS - Full coverage
• Cupra - Full coverage
• Opel - Full coverage

Other Brands

• Jeep - Full coverage
• Chrysler - Full coverage
• Dodge - Full coverage
• Infiniti - Full coverage
• Alpine - Full coverage
• Aixam - Full coverage

Plus commercial vehicles: DAF, Iveco, Piaggio, Yamaha

Coverage Notes

Geographic Coverage:

• Full European coverage
• Including UK (post-Brexit)
• Non-EU European markets included

Service Type Coverage:

• Official main dealer network services
• Manufacturer authorized service centers
• Franchise dealer services

Not Included:

• Independent garage services (not in manufacturer database)
• DIY maintenance
• Non-authorized service centers
• Services performed outside official dealer network

Why Main Dealer Only: Only main dealers input data into manufacturer databases. Independent garages don't have access to these systems, so their work isn't recorded even if perfectly legitimate.

Why Service History Matters

Service history isn't just paperwork - it has real financial and practical implications:

1. Resale Value Impact (10-30% Difference)

With Full Main Dealer Service History:

• Premium value achieved
• Buyer confidence high
• Faster sale
• More interested buyers

Without Service History:

• Instant 10-30% value reduction
• Buyers assume worst
• Longer time to sell
• Lower offers

Real Numbers:

Example 1: 2018 Audi A4

• With full Audi dealer history: £18,500
• Without service history: £14,500
• Difference: £4,000 (22%)

Example 2: 2017 BMW 3 Series

• With full BMW history: £16,000
• With partial/independent history: £13,500
• Difference: £2,500 (16%)

Example 3: 2016 Mercedes C-Class

• With full Mercedes-Benz history: £15,500
• No documented history: £11,000
• Difference: £4,500 (29%)

Premium brands are particularly sensitive to service history. The more expensive the car, the bigger the impact.

2. Proves Proper Maintenance

What Service History Demonstrates:

• Oil changes performed regularly
• Brake fluid changed (critical safety)
• Filters replaced
• Manufacturer schedule followed
• Car properly maintained

What Missing History Suggests:

• Neglected maintenance
• Potential hidden problems
• Deferred work
• Unknown condition
• Risk of imminent failures

Example: Two identical 2017 VW Golfs, same mileage, same condition.

Car A: Full VW dealer history showing regular oil changes every 10,000 miles Car B: No service history

Car A: Engine well-maintained, low wear, reliable Car B: Unknown - could have done 30,000 miles on same oil, sludge buildup, premature wear

You'd pay more for Car A. So would everyone else.

3. Warranty Claims and Validity

Manufacturer Warranties:

• Often require proof of servicing
• Main dealer servicing may be mandatory
• Service history needed for claims
• No history = warranty void

Extended Warranties:

• Require documented service history
• Won't pay out without proof of maintenance
• Main dealer history strengthens claims
• Service history check provides evidence

Approved Used Warranties:

• Main dealer approved used programs require service history
• Full history = better warranty terms
• Missing history = warranty refused or limited

Real Scenario: 2019 Audi with 2 years of manufacturer warranty remaining. Buyer assumes warranty is valid. Engine fails. Audi refuses warranty claim - no proof of required oil service at 20,000 miles. Repair: £6,500 out of pocket.

Service history check would have revealed missing service, allowing buyer to either walk away or negotiate price to cover risk.

4. Peace of Mind About Car Care

What You Know:

• Car was properly maintained
• Manufacturer schedule followed
• Quality parts used (OEM dealer parts)
• Trained technicians performed work
• No corners cut

What You Don't Risk:

• Buying neglected car
• Unknown maintenance quality
• Cheap parts used
• DIY botch jobs
• Deferred critical maintenance

Psychological Value: Knowing your car's exact maintenance history lets you sleep better at night. You know what's been done, when, and by whom. No guessing, no hoping, no fingers crossed.

5. Critical Maintenance Verification

High-Value Service Items:

Timing Belt Replacement (£600-£1,200)

• Seller: "Timing belt done last year"
• Service history check: Proves it or exposes the lie
• If not done: Budget £1,000+ immediately

Brake Fluid Changes

• Critical safety item
• Should be changed every 2 years
• Service history shows if neglected
• Affects braking performance

Major Service Items

• Transmission oil changes
• Coolant replacement
• Spark plug replacement
• Brake pad/disc replacement

Why This Matters: If seller claims "£2,000 of recent servicing," service history check verifies it. If they're lying, you save yourself buying a car needing immediate expensive work.

Car Sorted's Digital Service History Check

Car Sorted is launching the UK's first mainstream digital service history check service in January 2026.

What Car Sorted Offers

Service Coverage:

• 43 major manufacturers
• 2012+ vehicles
• Full European coverage including UK
• Direct manufacturer database access

What You Get:

• Complete service event timeline
• Service dates and mileage
• Specific work performed
• Service provider details
• Verification of seller claims
• Additional mileage verification

Pricing:

• £20 standalone service history check
• Bundled option with vehicle history check (finance, stolen, write-offs)

How to Order: Available from January 2026 at getcarsorted.com

Why Car Sorted?

Trusted Provider:

• Established vehicle checking service
• £10,000-£50,000 guarantees on vehicle checks
• UK-based expert support
• Reputable brand in car verification

First to Market:

• First major UK consumer service offering this
• Early adopter advantage
• Innovative approach to car verification

Integration:

• Complements their existing vehicle history checks
• One-stop verification solution
• Bundle for complete peace of mind

Real-World Scenarios: When You Need This

Scenario 1: Premium Car with "Full Dealer History" Claim

The Situation:

• 2019 BMW 5 Series, £24,000
• Private sale
• Seller: "Full BMW dealer service history throughout"
• No service book provided
• Seller: "Book is lost but I have all the receipts somewhere"

Without Service History Check:

• Take seller's word (risky £24,000 gamble)
• Assume history is incomplete
• Offer £20,000 to account for missing history (seller refuses)
• Walk away from potentially good car

With £20 Service History Check:

• Verify seller's claim in 5 minutes
• Check shows: Full BMW dealer history, serviced annually, last service 2,000 miles ago
• Proven maintenance record
• Buy with confidence at £24,000

Result: £20 check saves you potentially walking away from a great car, or confirms whether to knock £4,000 off the price.

Scenario 2: Seller Lying About Service History

The Situation:

• 2017 Audi A4, £15,000
• Small independent dealer
• Advertised: "Full Audi main dealer service history"
• Service book shows four Audi stamps

Without Service History Check:

• Trust the stamps
• Pay £15,000
• Discover later stamps were fake
• Car actually serviced at independent garage
• True value: £12,000
• You overpaid by £3,000

With £20 Service History Check:

• Check reveals: Only ONE genuine Audi service (at 10,000 miles)
• No further dealer services
• Seller is lying
• Walk away or negotiate to £12,000

Result: £20 check saves £3,000 overpayment and reveals dishonest seller.

Scenario 3: Lost Service Book on Well-Maintained Car

The Situation:

• 2016 Mercedes C-Class, £14,000
• Private sale, genuine seller
• Owner: "I've had all services at Mercedes, lost the book in house move"
• Owner frustrated - knows car is well-maintained but can't prove it
• Market value with history: £17,000
• Being offered £13,000 due to no proof

Seller's Benefit of Service History Check:

• Pays £20 for check
• Report shows full Mercedes-Benz dealer history
• Provides copy to buyers
• Proves maintenance claims
• Achieves £17,000 sale price

Buyer's Benefit:

• Receives seller's check report
• Runs own £20 check to verify (smart move)
• Confirms full history
• Happy to pay £17,000

Result: £20 check recovers £3,000-£4,000 in value for seller, gives buyer confidence.

Scenario 4: Verifying Recent Expensive Work

The Situation:

• 2015 VW Golf, £11,000
• Private sale
• Seller: "Just had £1,500 major service at VW including timing belt"
• Adds: "Priced to reflect this recent investment"
• No proof provided

Without Service History Check:

• Trust seller (£11,000 gamble)
• Assume timing belt not done
• Budget £800 for timing belt immediately
• Offer £10,000 (seller refuses, insulted)

With £20 Service History Check:

• Verify £1,500 VW service 500 miles ago
• Confirms timing belt, water pump, major service done
• Seller's claim is TRUE
• Car is good value at £11,000

Result: £20 check confirms you're getting £1,500 of recent work, justifying the price.

Scenario 5: Buying Without Physical Service Book

The Situation:

• 2018 Toyota Corolla, £13,500
• Dealer sale
• Dealer: "Service history is all digital now, no book needed"
• Dealer: "Trust us, it's been maintained"

Without Service History Check:

• Trust dealer claim
• Hope for the best
• No independent verification

With £20 Service History Check:

• Verify dealer's claim independently
• See actual service record
• Confirm maintenance level
• Make informed decision

Result: £20 for independent verification vs blindly trusting dealer.

How Service History Checks Complement Vehicle History Checks

Service history checks and traditional vehicle history checks (HPI checks) serve different purposes. You need both for complete verification.

What HPI/Vehicle History Checks Cover

Financial & Legal Issues:

• Outstanding finance (1 in 3 cars)
• Stolen vehicle status
• Insurance write-offs (Cat A, B, S, N)
• Scrapped/exported markers
• Number plate changes

What They Protect Against:

• Finance company repossession
• Police seizing stolen vehicle
• Buying written-off car
• Legal ownership issues

What They DON'T Show:

• Maintenance history
• Service quality
• Dealer servicing
• How well car was maintained

What Service History Checks Cover

Maintenance & Care:

• All main dealer services
• Service dates and mileage
• Specific work performed
• Maintenance schedule adherence

What They Protect Against:

• Buying neglected car
• False service history claims
• Undisclosed deferred maintenance
• Paying premium for missing history

What They DON'T Show:

• Outstanding finance
• Stolen status
• Write-off history
• Legal issues

The Complete Protection Stack

For 2012+ vehicle purchases, the complete verification includes:

1. Free Checks (£0)

• MOT history (gov.uk)
• DVLA tax/MOT status
• Basic verification

2. Vehicle History Check (£10-£30)

• Finance, stolen, write-offs
• Legal protection
• Financial security
• Example: Car Sorted vehicle check

3. Service History Check (£20)

• Dealer maintenance records
• Service verification
• Care level confirmation
• Car Sorted service history check (January 2026)

4. Pre-Purchase Inspection (£100-£150)

• Physical condition
• Mechanical assessment
• Current state verification

Total Investment: £130-£200 Total Protection: Complete verification of legal, financial, maintenance, and physical condition

On a £15,000 car, that's less than 1.5% for complete peace of mind.

When to Use Each Check

Before Viewing:

• Free MOT check (mileage verification)
• Free DVLA check (basic details)

After Viewing, Before Buying:

• Vehicle history check (finance, stolen, write-offs) - Essential
• Service history check (maintenance verification) - Essential for 2012+ cars
• Bundle both for efficiency

Before Collection:

• Re-run checks if time gap
• Physical inspection
• Verify VIN matches reports

Who Needs Service History Checks Most

While everyone buying a 2012+ car should consider a service history check, it's particularly valuable in these scenarios:

1. Premium & Luxury Car Buyers

Why It Matters More:

• Service history affects value by 20-30% (vs 10-15% on volume brands)
• Main dealer servicing expected at this price point
• Warranty validity often requires proof
• Buyers at this level demand documentation

Brands Where It's Critical:

• BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi
• Porsche, Jaguar, Land Rover
• Lexus, Volvo premium models
• Any car over £20,000

Example: £30,000 Range Rover without service history: Loses £6,000-£9,000 in value £20 service history check: Verifies or exposes the gap

2. Cars Sold Without Physical Service Book

The Modern Reality: Many owners lose service books or never receive them (digital records only). This doesn't mean the car wasn't serviced.

Service History Check:

• Recovers "lost" history
• Proves servicing happened
• Restores car's value
• Enables sale at proper price

For Sellers: Get the check yourself, include in advert, command proper price

For Buyers: Don't walk away from good car just because book is missing - verify digitally

3. Private Sales with Unverifiable Claims

The Risk: Private sellers can claim anything:

• "Full dealer history"
• "Just serviced"
• "Always maintained properly"
• "Timing belt done"

Without Proof: You're taking their word on a £10,000+ purchase

With Service History Check: Verify every claim in 5 minutes for £20

4. Dealer Sales Where You Want Independent Verification

Dealer Claims:

• "Full service history"
• "Approved used"
• "Recently serviced"

Trust but Verify: £20 independent check confirms dealer's claims or reveals they're wrong

Protects Against:

• Misleading advertising
• Incorrect information
• Dealer mistakes
• Deliberate dishonesty

5. Cars Where Service History Affects Value Significantly

High Service Cost Vehicles: If annual servicing costs £400-£800, buyers want proof it was done:

• German premium brands
• Performance cars
• Luxury SUVs
• Specialist vehicles

The Math: Missing 3 years of services (£2,000 value) affects resale price by £2,000-£4,000

£20 check verifies £2,000+ of maintenance

6. Vehicles Near Major Service Intervals

Critical Intervals:

• Timing belt replacement (60k-80k miles)
• Major service milestones
• Transmission services
• Brake fluid changes

The Question: "Has this been done?"

The Answer: Service history check shows exactly what's been done and when

The Value: Knowing you need to budget £1,200 for timing belt vs knowing it was done 5,000 miles ago

Limitations: What Service History Checks Don't Show

Be aware of what service history checks DON'T reveal:

Only Main Dealer Services

Shown:

• Official dealer network services
• Manufacturer authorized centers

Not Shown:

• Independent garage services (even if excellent)
• Specialist independent services
• DIY maintenance
• Mobile mechanic work

Why: Only main dealers input data into manufacturer databases. Independent garages don't have access, even if they provide quality service.

Impact: A well-maintained car serviced at trusted independent for £300/year instead of dealer for £600/year will show "no service history" - but that doesn't mean it wasn't maintained.

Solution: Use service history check to verify dealer servicing claims. For independent servicing, request receipts and verify garage reputation separately.

Only 2012+ Vehicles

Coverage:

• 2012 onward: Comprehensive
• Pre-2012: Limited or none

Why: Manufacturer digital recording started around 2012. Earlier vehicles weren't systematically recorded in databases.

For Older Cars:

• Rely on physical service books
• Request original receipts
• Contact garages for records
• Service history check won't help much

Only What's in Manufacturer Database

Data Quality:

• Dependent on dealer data entry
• Occasionally incomplete if dealer systems were offline
• Recent services may not yet be synced

Possible Gaps:

• Very recent services (last few days)
• Database errors (rare)
• Non-synchronized dealer systems

Reliability: Generally very high (95%+), but not 100% perfect. Cross-reference with other evidence.

Doesn't Verify Current Condition

What It Shows:

• Past maintenance
• What was done historically

What It Doesn't Show:

• Current mechanical condition
• Whether repairs were quality
• If advised work was completed
• Present-day issues

Still Need:

• Pre-purchase inspection
• Test drive
• Visual inspection
• Mechanic assessment

Service history check shows the car WAS maintained. Inspection shows the car IS in good condition now. Both needed.

Coming January 2026: Be Ready

Digital service history checks are launching in the UK mainstream market in January 2026 via Car Sorted. Here's how to prepare:

For Buyers

Buying a 2012+ Car Soon:

1. Run traditional vehicle history check (finance, stolen, write-offs)
2. From January 2026: Add service history check
3. Verify seller's maintenance claims
4. Make informed decision with complete data

Budget For It:

• Vehicle history check: £20
• Service history check: £20
• Total verification: £40
• On a £15,000 car: 0.27% insurance

Make It Standard: Just like you wouldn't buy without checking for finance, don't buy a 2012+ car without verifying service history.

For Sellers

Selling a 2012+ Car with Dealer History:

1. Get service history check yourself
2. Include report in advert
3. Prove your maintenance claims
4. Command premium price
5. Sell faster with buyer confidence

ROI for Sellers:

• Service history check: £20
• Value increase: £2,000-£5,000
• Time to sell: Faster
• Buyer confidence: Higher

Especially valuable if:

• Lost service book
• Full dealer history but no proof
• Premium brand where history matters
• Competing with similar cars

For the UK Car Market

Game Changer:

• Eliminates service history fraud
• Recovers value of lost service books
• Increases buyer confidence
• Reduces risk in used car buying

Long-Term Impact:

• Fake service books become pointless
• Lost service book no longer catastrophic
• Main dealer servicing value proven
• Transparency increases

This is the future of car verification.

Summary

Service history checks represent a revolution in used car verification:

What They Are:

• Digital retrieval of manufacturer service records
• Direct from OE databases via VIN
• Covers 43 manufacturers, 2012+ vehicles

What They Reveal:

• Complete dealer service timeline
• Service dates and mileage
• Specific work performed
• Service provider details
• Proof of maintenance claims

Why They Matter:

• Service history affects value by 10-30%
• Proves proper maintenance
• Verifies seller claims
• Recovers "lost" history
• Protects against fraud

What They Cost:

• £20 standalone
• Bundle with vehicle history check

Who Needs Them:

• Anyone buying a 2012+ vehicle
• Premium car buyers especially
• Verifying "full dealer history" claims
• Cars sold without physical service book

Available When:

• January 2026 via Car Sorted
• First mainstream UK service

The Bottom Line: For 2012+ vehicles, service history checks complete the verification picture. Combined with vehicle history checks (finance, stolen, write-offs), they provide comprehensive protection against both financial fraud and maintenance fraud.

£20 to verify £10,000-£30,000 of car value and thousands in claimed maintenance?

That's not even a question. It's essential.

Coming January 2026. Be ready.