check car service history Page 43

Want to check a car’s service history? Start with the logbook: stamps, dates, kilometre readings, and workshop details should line up neatly; smudged ink and big gaps are red flags.

Ask for invoices and receipts—matching VIN, km, and items done; modern brands keep digital service records, so ring a dealer with the VIN to confirm what’s been logged. If the story sounds thin, call the garages stamped in the book, and have a pre-purchase inspection to verify wear versus the claimed kilometres. Grab a PPSR for finance/write-off/theft checks; it won’t list services, but it will catch nasties that explain “lost paperwork”. Finally, compare tyre dates, fluid stickers, and timing-belt/chain intervals against the manufacturer schedule. A tidy history should read like a diary, not a choose-your-own-adventure.