Buying a used car is not just about checking the body, tyres
or engine sound. The real story of any second-hand car lies in its service
history. A car may look shiny and clean from outside, but if it has skipped regular maintenance or has hidden accident repairs, you will only know that from its
records. This is why understanding how to check car service history in India is
one of the most important steps before buying.
In this blog, let’s break down the right way to read and
verify used car service records, what to look for in invoices, and how to
confirm if the history is genuine.
Why Service History Matters in Used Cars
The importance of car service records is very high when you
are inspecting a pre-owned car. Here’s why:
- They prove that the car has been maintained on time.
- You can see if the car had major repairs like clutch
replacement, suspension change, or accident repair.
- It helps you know the actual mileage and if odometer
tampering is done.
- Service records increase the car’s resale value and give
peace of mind to the buyer.
Without a proper used car service history verification, you
are just taking a gamble on the car’s health.
Where to Find Car Service History
- Now the big question – where to find car service history in
India? There are mainly three ways:
- Service Book (Physical Record) – Old cars usually have a
service booklet that gets stamped after each scheduled service. It’s simple but
sometimes incomplete if the owner missed stamping.
- Digital Service History (Dealership Records) – Newer cars,
especially from brands like Hyundai, Maruti, Tata, Honda etc. maintain a digital service history car record at the authorised service centre. You can
request this from the service advisor.
- Car Service History Check Online India – Many manufacturers
now allow you to check service details via their apps or websites. For example,
Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata owners can login and see past services, bills
and job cards online.
Tip: If you are buying from an individual seller, always ask
for both the service book vs digital history car copy to compare.
How to Know if Car Service is Genuine
Not all service records are 100% trustworthy. Sometimes,
owners or dealers may hide accidental repairs or do fake stamping. Here’s how
you can confirm:
- Cross-check with dealership – Call the authorised service
centre and ask if the car was serviced there.
- Match invoices with odometer – If the service bill shows
50,000 km in 2022 but the odometer today is only 48,000 km, then something is
wrong.
- Look for job card details – Genuine service invoices mention
parts replaced, labour charges and technician signature.
- Check consistency – A well-maintained car will show services
at regular intervals, not huge gaps of 2–3 years.
This is the best way to know if car service is genuine or
not.
Things to Check in Used Car Records
When you get the file of past services, here are the things
to check in used car records carefully
- Mileage pattern – Does the running look natural (e.g.,
10,000 km per year) or suspicious jumps?
- Major repairs – Any history of accident, engine repair,
clutch change or suspension replacement?
- Regular maintenance – Oil change, brake pads, battery, AC
service etc. should appear regularly.
- Ownership details – Name and registration number should
match the car you are inspecting.
- Warranty claims – If there are too many warranty jobs, it
could mean the model has recurring issues.
By analysing these points, you can take better decisions
during used car inspection with service history.
Reading Service Invoices for Cars
One of the best ways to catch hidden details is by reading
service invoices for cars. These bills show:
- Date and odometer reading.
- Parts replaced and their cost.
- Accident or bodywork repairs (which sellers may not tell you
directly).
- Any repeated repairs (like engine overheating or AC gas
refill every year).
Tip: Always read the “remarks” column on job cards. That’s
where technicians note down small issues which may become big later.
Service Book vs Digital Records – Which is Better?
In India, both paper and online formats exist. But digital
records are far more reliable since they come directly from authorised dealers.
A service book vs digital history car comparison clearly shows:
- Books can be faked or missed,
- Digital history cannot be edited by the owner,
- Online records also show invoice copy, not just stamps.
So if you want complete trust, always ask for digital
service printout in addition to the booklet.
A used car without records is like a story without proof. By
carefully doing a used car service history verification, checking invoices, and
matching odometer readings, you can save yourself from big mistakes.
If you are not confident, it’s always smart to take expert
help. Services like CarVaidya provide professional used car inspection with
service history support, so you don’t end up with a lemon.
You can read some other articles
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to Check if a New Car Has Been Driven or Not
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By CarVaidya
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