How to Check a Car’s Service History Online for Free in the UK

If you’re buying a used car—or even just trying to keep better track of your own vehicle—knowing the service history is essential.

A full history can reveal if the car has been well maintained, help you plan for upcoming repairs, and even increase resale value. But what if the car doesn’t come with a service book? Can you still check the service history online—and for free?

The answer: Yes, in some cases. Here’s how.

How to Check Car Service History Online for Free (UK)

1. Start With the MOT History on GOV.UK

While not a full service history, the MOT history checker on the government website offers useful insights like:

• Previous MOT dates and results
• Advisory notices (which often hint at repairs or neglect)
• Mileage records (great for spotting clocking)

🔗 Check your MOT history here

It’s totally free and only requires the car’s registration number.

2. Check with the Main Dealer or Manufacturer

If the car has been serviced by a franchised dealer (like Audi, Ford, BMW, etc.), the manufacturer may hold a digital service record (DSR).

You’ll need:

• The car's registration number
• Sometimes proof of ownership
• In some cases, the VIN (vehicle identification number)

Brands like Audi, Mazda, and Ford often store full service history in their internal network—even if the physical service book is missing.

3. Ask the Previous Owner or Garage

If you’re buying a used car privately or from a small dealer, don’t hesitate to:

• Ask for garage invoices, receipts, or digital records
• Contact the previous servicing garage (if known)
• Ask if the vehicle was part of a fleet or lease company—they may hold service logs

4. Use Vehicle History Platforms or Tools

Some platforms offer full vehicle history reports, which may include servicing data, depending on where the car was serviced.

While many of these are paid, some providers offer free trials or limited reports, and tools like AutoChain (coming soon) will allow drivers and garages to log service records directly and share them securely.

What If There’s No Service History?

If a car has no service history at all, that doesn’t automatically mean it’s a bad buy—but you should proceed with caution.

Here’s what to do:

• Ask for a pre-purchase inspection
• Use MOT history to spot patterns or gaps
• Budget for an immediate major service after purchase
• Factor it into your negotiation (cars with missing history often lose £500–£1,000 in value)

Why Service History Matters (Even If You’re Not Selling)

• Proves the car’s been maintained properly
• Helps retain resale value
• Makes MOT prep easier
• Builds trust if you decide to sell privately
• Helps you stay on top of oil changes, brake replacements, and other key maintenance

Final Thoughts

A car service history check is one of the smartest things you can do before buying—or even just maintaining—your vehicle. While not all records are available online, there are free ways to gather crucial information, from MOT records to dealer lookups.

And soon, drivers will be able to store, access, and transfer service history securely through AutoChain—making the whole process easier and more transparent.

👉 Track and store your service history with AutoChain
Whether you're a buyer, seller, or just a car owner who wants to stay organised, AutoChain helps you keep digital records of services, upgrades, and maintenance in one place.

Register your interest now

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