What constitutes a Full Service History?

Scruff

N00b question(s):
So does this mean that all services have to be done by a manufacturer dealership or can any mechanic do it? Or is it just the major service intervals where belts and the like have to be changed? What about things like oil changes and other relatively minor servicing jobs that can be done yerself?

Anan1

Put simply, a full service history is proof that the car has been serviced as per the manufacturers requirements (these can be found in the service book). If there are any gaps then it's a partial service history.

Scruff

ok but does the work have to be carried out by a manufacturer authorised service depot or can any place do the work?

Anan1

Scruff wrote: »

ok but does the work have to be carried out by a manufacturer authorised service depot or can any place do the work?

As long as it's documented then it counts towards the SH. Documented means invoices, not just stamps in the book. That said, you need to make your own judgement regarding the quality of work of the garage - some independents are better than some main dealers, for example.

nogoodnamesleft

I would 1st find our the service intervals as quoted by the manufacturer for oil, belts etc and then cross check this with the service history of the car.

I do the majority of my own car maintanance and I always get invoices for parts I buy (e.g. oil, filters, swishbones) and I document on the invoice the mileage at which the work was carried out. I plan on driving the car for a good few years yet so if the time does come to sell, the buyer can see for themselves the work that was carried out by the owner. Ive seen some main dealer service history cars where the timing belt was changed at 74k as opposed to 60k and it would make me wonder what the previous owner let slip regards maintenance.