Checking a car’s service history is one of the most important steps when buying, selling or verifying a vehicle’s condition. Unfortunately, many UK drivers are surprised to discover that you cannot view a full service history online using just a registration number.

Unlike MOT history, servicing data is not stored in a central UK database. Instead, it is scattered across dealerships, independent garages, manufacturer systems and previous owners’ paperwork.

This guide breaks down every method to check service history online, what information is available for free, where full records are actually stored and how you can still retrieve missing service history.

1. What You Can Check Online Instantly

Although full servicing records are not publicly accessible, a number of online tools provide helpful background checks.

✅ MOT History (Free) – GOV.UK

You can access:

• Full MOT test history

• Recorded mileage each year

• Advisories and failures

• Test locations

Does NOT show:
Servicing, repairs, oil changes, timing belt history, brake servicing or maintenance.

⚠️ Manufacturer Portals (Limited, Owner-Only)

Some manufacturers offer partial access through their owner platforms:

• Mercedes Me

• MyBMW

• MyAudi

• Toyota MyT

• Kia MyKia

• Hyundai Bluelink

These may display:

• Last service date

• Basic digital entries

• Upcoming service reminders

Limitations:

• You must prove ownership

• Does not show historic independent servicing

• Often incomplete

• Not suitable for checking a vehicle before buying

⚠️ Vehicle Data Platforms (Not Full Service History)

Platforms like:

• HPI Check

• Experian AutoCheck

• CarVertical

• AutoDNA

…provide:

• Mileage checks

• Write-off information

• Police/stolen alerts

• Export/import details

But they do not show verified servicing records.

2. Where Full Service History Is Actually Stored

A complete service history exists across several offline sources:

🔵 A. Dealership Databases

Each manufacturer maintains its own digital service system, including:

• Mercedes Digital Service Booklet

• BMW Digital Service History

• Audi Digital Service Schedule

• Volkswagen DSR

• Land Rover Online Service History

• Toyota National Service System

These hold official dealer-uploaded service stamps, which warranty companies accept.

🔵 B. Independent Garages

Independents store records on private software systems:

• Job sheets

• Invoices

• Repair logs

• Parts & labour notes

These records are not uploaded anywhere unless the garage is manufacturer-approved.

🔵 C. Paper Service Books & Invoices

Many older or multi-owner vehicles rely on:

• Paper service books

• Printed invoices

• PDF emails sent to previous keepers

These are easily lost, leading to gaps in history.

3. Why You Cannot Check Full Service History Online

Four key reasons:

❌ No UK central service history database exists

Only MOT history is centralised.

❌ Garages store servicing privately

Servicing includes customer details, protected under GDPR.

❌ Manufacturers restrict access

Digital service records can only be viewed/updated by approved garages.

❌ Independent garages do not share data

Their systems are not linked to manufacturer databases.

This means full servicing history cannot be checked through any public website.

4. How to Get a Complete Service History for a Car

Because service history is fragmented, a full reconstruction requires contacting garages directly.

This is exactly what CarServiceHistory.co.uk specialises in.

5. The Only Reliable Way to Recover Full Service History

⭐ CarServiceHistory.co.uk – Professional Service History Recovery

We manually investigate the vehicle’s past by contacting all possible garages and dealerships to recover:

• Digital service uploads

• Dealer printouts

• Independent garage invoices

• Repairs and maintenance notes

• Hybrid/EV health checks

• Confirmations of missing entries

✔ We collect documents directly from garages

No automated system can do this.

✔ We verify digital records

Mercedes, BMW, Audi, VW, Land Rover, Toyota & more.

✔ We build a complete vehicle service report

Chronological, clear, dealership-accepted.

✔ Ideal for

Buyers, sellers, warranty claims, insurance disputes, and mileage verification.

6. Step-by-Step: How to Check a Car’s Service History

Here is your simplified process:

Step 1 — Check MOT History (free)

Useful for mileage validation.

Step 2 — Ask the Seller for paperwork

Service books, invoices, digital reports.

Step 3 — Check manufacturer digital history

Only if you're the registered owner.

Step 4 — Use CarServiceHistory.co.uk to retrieve missing records

We locate:

• Dealer records

• Independent servicing

• Repair invoices

• Upload confirmations

This gives you the closest possible version of a complete service history.

7. When Should You Use a Professional Service History Search?

Ideal if:

• The seller claims “full history” but cannot prove it

• Digital records appear empty

• The service book is missing

• The car was serviced at multiple garages

• The vehicle is imported

• You need evidence for a warranty claim

• You want reassurance before purchase

Most second-hand cars have missing records—we fix that.

Summary: How to Check Car Service History Online in the UK

You cannot check full service history online instantly — but you can recover it through a trusted investigation service.