Check a Car's Service History Online
You can check a car's service history online in the UK using official manufacturer dealership records. Enter a registration number to find out whether the vehicle has been serviced at franchised dealers — and exactly what work was recorded.
Check a vehicle's service history
Retrieve official manufacturer dealership service records using just a registration number. Results typically arrive within minutes. Full refund if no records are found.
Run a Service History Check — £9.99Full refund if no manufacturer records are found
Ways to check a car's service history
There are several ways to find a car's service history in the UK. Each has different strengths depending on what you need.
1. Manufacturer dealership records (most reliable)
When a franchised dealer services a vehicle, the details are recorded on the manufacturer's central database — linked to the VIN, not a paper book. These records cannot be altered by previous owners, include the exact date, mileage, and work performed, and persist even when the service book is lost. You can retrieve them instantly using a service like FindServiceHistory with just a registration number.
2. Physical service book
The traditional paper service book should contain stamps from each service. Check the glovebox, boot, and under-floor storage. However, service books can be lost, damaged, or forged — stamps are easy to replicate, which is why verifying against manufacturer digital records is more reliable.
3. Contact the servicing garage directly
If you know which garage serviced the car, they may be able to provide invoices or records. This is the only way to verify work done at independent garages, since those don't appear on manufacturer systems. You'll typically need the registration number and proof of ownership.
4. MOT history (free)
The DVSA publishes every MOT result, advisory, and mileage reading for free. While this isn't a service record, the mileage readings at each test are useful for spotting inconsistencies and verifying that the car has been used normally. Cross-reference MOT mileages with service history dates for the clearest picture. See our guide on how to read MOT history.
Why manufacturer records are the most reliable
Unlike paper service books, manufacturer dealership records:
- Cannot be altered by previous owners — they're stored on the manufacturer's central system, not in the car
- Are recorded at the time of service by the franchised dealership, with no opportunity for backdating
- Include specific details — dates, odometer readings, type of service, and which dealership performed the work
- Survive ownership changes — the records belong to the vehicle (via VIN), not the owner
This is why manufacturer records are the standard that dealers, insurers, and experienced buyers rely on when verifying a vehicle's maintenance history. A physical service book supports the record, but the digital record is what proves it.
What an online check won't show
An online service history check retrieves manufacturer dealership records only. Services carried out at independent garages — even competent specialists — will not appear, because those garages don't have write access to the manufacturer's system. A car serviced entirely at independents may return no results, which doesn't mean it was never serviced.
It also doesn't cover finance, insurance write-offs, or theft markers — that's what an HPI-style check is for. The two checks are complementary, not interchangeable.
How to check service history on FindServiceHistory
- Enter the registration number and your email address on the check page.
- Confirm the vehicle — we validate the registration against the DVLA to make sure it matches a real vehicle.
- Pay £9.99 via Stripe. Your card details never touch our servers.
- Receive your report by email, typically within minutes. The report includes every franchised dealer service on record, plus full MOT history.
- Automatic refund if no manufacturer service records are found — you pay nothing.
Check a vehicle's service history
Retrieve official manufacturer dealership service records using just a registration number. Results typically arrive within minutes. Full refund if no records are found.
Run a Service History Check — £9.99Full refund if no manufacturer records are found
Who checks service history online?
- Used car buyers verifying a vehicle's maintenance record before purchase
- Sellers providing verified proof of servicing to increase buyer confidence
- Motor trade professionals appraising stock — trade accounts include 5 free checks, then £4.99 per check
- Owners who've lost the service book and need to find their records
Related guides
What Counts as Full Service History?
The UK definition, what's included, and why it matters for value.
Service History Check vs HPI Check
They check different things. Here's what each one covers.
Lost Service Book: Recovering Records
How to find your service history when the paperwork is gone.
Used Car Buying Checks
The full list of checks to run before buying a used car.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check a car's service history online in the UK?
Yes. Services like FindServiceHistory retrieve official manufacturer dealership service records using just a registration number. These are the same records held on the manufacturer's central system — not dependent on the seller providing paperwork.
Can I check service history by registration number?
Yes. You can check a car's manufacturer service history using just the registration number. FindServiceHistory validates the registration against the DVLA, then retrieves any dealer service records held on the manufacturer's system for that vehicle.
What does a service history check show?
A service history check shows the date, mileage, and type of service recorded at franchised dealerships. It does not include work done at independent garages, as those garages do not have access to the manufacturer's central system.
How much does a service history check cost?
A one-off check through FindServiceHistory costs £9.99. If no manufacturer service records are found for the vehicle, you receive a full automatic refund.
Is this the same as an HPI check?
No. An HPI check covers finance, insurance write-offs, and stolen vehicle markers. A service history check focuses specifically on whether the vehicle was serviced at manufacturer dealerships and what work was recorded. They check different things and are complementary.
What if no service history is found?
If no manufacturer service records are found, you receive a full automatic refund. No records found does not mean the car was never serviced — it may have been maintained at independent garages, which don't record on the manufacturer's system.