In 2023, about 1.5 million cars in Ireland failed the full NCT test by the National Car Testing Service. The NCT test identifies defects in vehicles with bad service histories, including worn tyres, faulty brakes, and defective headlight aim.
When buying a used car, you should verify its service history to gain insight into its overall condition and how previous owners have maintained it. This will help to avoid unplanned expenses on repairs and guarantee safety down the road.
READ ALSO: How to Check Equipment by VIN Number
The Importance of Checking a Car Service History
A car’s service history can help prove that it has been properly maintained by a professional. This information will also help you gauge the timeline, regularity, and type of services performed.
After knowing its history, here are some things you should pay attention to :
Avoid cars with multiple costly repairs
A car that has had its engine or transmission replaced may sounds a cautious message. By looking at a car’s service history, you can know about all the past repairs and judge whether it was properly maintained. A car that has not received good servicing can be a red flag for potentially costly repairs.
Check safety-related services
A maintenance check can help detect any defect in the car’s safety-related features. These include:
- Brakes
- Suspension
- Tires
- Steering wheel
- Airbags
- And more
Checking the service history report will help to know if safety is compromised, thus resulting in a crash, accident, or loss of innocent lives. You can walk away from the purchase or hire a professional mechanic to thoroughly inspect te car.
Look for notable body repairs
Car body repairs can significantly affect the resale price as this may indicate that the car has been involved in an accident. Additionally, a well-maintained car with no major repairs will likely command a higher resale price than a poorly maintained car.
If you’re buying a used car, you can confidently negotiate a fair price by peeping into the car’s service records to if there have been body repairs done to the car during its time with previous owner(s).
Steer clear of cars with legal issues
A car’s service history check serves as a window into the records of services performed and other records, including theft records or records of outstanding finance.
If you buy from an illegal seller, you’re not far from being on the watch list of the Irish police (Garda). Once caught, the car will be taken away from you without compensation, and you may be prosecuted if the car seller is nowhere to be found.
How to Find the Service History When Buying a Used Car
It’s very risky to buy a car without knowing its service history. The service book and other methods of finding a vehicle service history online can help you determine whether a car has a partial or complete service history.
Here are several ways to check the service history of any car in Ireland:
Service logbook
A car’s service book is the most common place to access its service records. The logbook is meant to be used by the owner to keep records of every service performed on the car.
Dealership service records
For a vehicle serviced at a dealership, the service history records should be electronically documented. Contact the dealership for the service records to understand better the car’s service and maintenance before the purchase.
Online vehicle service history tool
There are various websites that allow you to access a vehicle’s service history at a fee. Some of the best websites in Ireland to conduct a full-service history check include Motorcheck, SIMI, and Cartell. You’re only required to provide the reg number or VIN (vehicle identification number) to access the service records.
If you’re looking for basic information like the specifications, engine details, fuel type, transmission, and more, you can perform a free VIN decoding in Ireland to access all the vehicle information.
RELATED: What is the Best Site To Check the VIN Number
What Can You Find from a Service History?
There are free car history check services in Ireland that will give you basic vehicle information, such as year, make, model, engine information, and transmission.
If you want to find out the full car reg check, there are paid services that will provide everything you need to know about a car, including:
- Vehicle specifications
- Vehicle registration details
- V5c certificate log book
- Vehicle identification check
- Vehicle Identity Check (VIC test)
- Auction records with photos
- MOT & Tax dues
- Imported/Imported Non-EU
- Mileage History and Mileage discrepancy
- Stolen check
- Salvage history check
- Outstanding finance and agreement
- MOT history with advisory details and notes
- Running costs
- Vehicle performance
- Fuel economy
- CO2 emissions
- SafetyEuro NCAP ratings
- Recalls
- High-risk status check
- Insurance written off and condition
- Number of plate changes
- Colour changes
- Plate changes
- Keeper changes (ownership history)
- SMMT details
- If the vehicle was scrapped
- Certificate of destruction issued
- Electric vehicle charging data
If you want to be sure that the used car you’re buying is in good condition, consider using a reliable car history check service to uncover the history and make a secure and informed decision.
Different Types of Services for a Car
Auto repair shops offer different types of auto services depending on the type of vehicle you drive, its mileage, and the last time it was serviced. These services can be categorised into small-scale, full-scale, and major.
Small-scale car service
A small-scale service usually covers minor maintenance in between full services. It’s usually done every six months or 6,000 miles and includes:
- Oil change and filter replacement
- Wiper blade inspection
- Tyre pressure checks
- Serpentine belt inspection
Full-scale car service
A full-scale service is the inside-out inspection and maintenance of a car that you should do every 12,000 miles or once a year. It involves the checking, maintenance, or replacements of the following components:
- Coolant
- Brake pads
- Belts and hoses
- Cabin air filter
- Engine air filter
Major car service
A major car service involves crucial maintenance aspects of the car that don’t require servicing as frequently as other parts. They include the following:
- Spark plug replacement (glow plug replacement for diesel engines)
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid inspection
- Timing belt replacement
- Battery checks
- Tyre replacement
Conclusion
Checking a car’s service history is crucial to the used car buying process, as it helps to promote peace of mind, avoid legal issues, and enhance the car’s resale value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a car with a missing service history?
Though purchasing a vehicle without a service history can save you money, you won’t know whether the vehicle has been adequately maintained. If you sell your car, a missing service history will make it less desirable and worthless. Nothing should stop you from buying the car if you’re buying from a reliable source.
I have lost my service book. Can I get it back online?
Many repair shops keep records of the work done on your vehicle, and they may offer you a copy of the services.
Can I get a car history check for a UK Import?
Yes. If you’re shipping a car from the UK to Ireland, a reputable online digital service like Smart Car Check can provide you with the full UK history.
Why is it important to check a car’s service history?
Checking your car’s service history records can help provide insight into its condition and potential repair costs. The service history offers a gauge of the state of safety-related components like the brake and tyre pressure gauge.
