Key Takeaways
- A maintenance history is generally a list of what services have been done on your vehicle, but it may not be extensive.
- This history is beneficial because it can be the cherry on top when you go to purchase a used vehicle, as it can show you the wear and tear on the vehicle.
- We will do our best to provide a maintenance history when one is present, and oftentimes CarFax or Autocheck are used to provide this history as well.
- If there is no maintenance history it is not the end of the world, you are still able to inspect the vehicle on your end for any damages or for rust.
What does Maintenance History entail?
The maintenance history on a vehicle includes a variety of information such as, but not limited to, oil changes, tire replacements, full engine servicing, battery replacements, other parts replacements and more. The maintenance history is generally designed so that there is evidence for a car’s good condition upon the resale of the vehicle. It can help you to know how thorough previous owners were and it is important for you to maintain one in the future, because it helps you remember the last time your oil was changed and when it may need to be changed again.
Why is my car’s maintenance history important?
The maintenance history is not of paramount importance, but it is reassuring when you can find a vehicle’s maintenance history. This meant that the previous owners of your vehicle treated the car with respect, and did their best to keep it in good shape. Generally if you purchase a vehicle that comes with a maintenance history and receipts, it is a good sign that this car might be better than a similarly priced vehicle without any receipts.
Where can I get a car’s maintenance history?
There are a variety of ways to get a car’s maintenance history. First and foremost you can ask us when you are interested in purchasing a vehicle if it comes with an extensive vehicle history. Oftentimes you can find a vehicle’s maintenance history on websites like Carfax or Autocheck. Unfortunately this is becoming less and less common, and it does not necessarily provide you with all the history of the vehicle. The vehicle could have accidents or other repairs that are not found on the report.
What if a car does not come with a maintenance history?
The good news is that it is not the end of the world. Most vehicles nowadays do not come with a maintenance history attached. It can sometimes be difficult and frustrating to keep track of all the services and repairs, and although they get done not all owners keep track of it. You can still inspect the vehicle, take it for a test drive, and see if you can diagnose any incidents on your end.