When buying or assessing a second-hand car, one of the most valuable pieces of information you can have is its full service log. A complete servicing record proves the car has been maintained correctly, helps validate mileage, reveals major past repairs and protects you from unforeseen mechanical issues.
But in the UK, many drivers discover that comprehensive service logs are not stored in one public system — and most companies offering “vehicle checks” do not include real service history from garages.
This guide explains which companies actually offer usable vehicle service logs, which ones only provide partial information and how to obtain a true comprehensive service log for a second-hand car.
Do Any UK Companies Provide Full Service Logs Automatically?
No.
There is no UK company — including HPI, Experian, AA or RAC — that can instantly provide full garage service history for a second-hand car.
This is because service and repair information is not centrally stored. It is held privately by:
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Dealerships
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Independent garages
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Manufacturer digital platforms
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Previous owners
This means a “complete service log” must be manually reconstructed from these sources.
Companies That Offer Partial Service Information
Although no company provides complete service logs automatically, several offer useful but limited information.
1. HPI Check – Mileage Trends & MOT Only
HPI provides:
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MOT history
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Mileage anomalies
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Outstanding finance
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Write-off data
But no service history, no garage records and no repair invoices.
2. Experian AutoCheck – Vehicle Background, Not Service Logs
Experian includes:
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Former keepers
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Plate changes
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Insurance records
Again: no service or repair history.
3. Third-Party VIN Report Providers (CarVertical, AutoDNA etc.)
These services provide:
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Mileage logs (from inspections/auctions)
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Scrapped/stolen data
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Accident/insurance flags
But:
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They do not retrieve service logs
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They cannot contact garages
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They do not supply workshop evidence
Useful for background checks — not servicing.
Manufacturer Systems That Provide Partial Digital Service Logs
Some manufacturers offer digital logs for their own brand, but they rarely provide a complete servicing overview for a second-hand car.
| Manufacturer | What They Provide | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes DSB | Digital service booklet | Only for services uploaded by Mercedes dealers |
| Volkswagen DSR | Dealer-uploaded digital logs | No access to independent garage records |
| BMW iDrive / ConnectedDrive | In-car digital history | Only shows uploaded entries |
| Audi Digital Service Schedule | Official dealer uploads | Cannot view history of previous owners without login |
| Land Rover OSH | Online Service History | Missing many independent garage entries |
| Toyota MyT | Limited service events | Not a full maintenance log |
These systems only work if:
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The vehicle stayed in the dealer network
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All services were properly uploaded
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The car is not an import
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You are the registered owner
For most second-hand cars, the digital record is incomplete.
Are There Any Companies That Offer Comprehensive Service Logs?
Yes — but only if they manually investigate the service history.
A comprehensive service log must include:
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Dealership servicing records
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Independent garage servicing
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Repair invoices
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Past MOT-related repairs
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Timing belt/gearbox maintenance logs
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Confirmation from garages about missing entries
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Digital record verification
This requires a team to:
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Contact garages
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Request documents
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Retrieve digital uploads
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Verify repairs
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Compile everything
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Confirm authenticity
And the only service in the UK that does this correctly is…
CarServiceHistory.co.uk – The Only UK Provider of Comprehensive Service Logs
Unlike automated vehicle-check websites, we offer a human-led investigation service designed to rebuild a vehicle's entire service and repair history.
What Makes Our Service Comprehensive?
1. We contact every relevant garage
Main dealers, independents, specialists — whoever serviced the car.
2. We request official servicing documents
Including job sheets, invoices, historic repairs and digital stamp confirmations.
3. We retrieve digital service uploads
If a dealer confirms a past service, we request upload corrections (where allowed).
4. We confirm what doesn't exist
“Unable to locate record” responses are also logged, providing transparency.
5. We compile a full chronological service log
Your final report includes:
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Confirmed services
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Repairs and replacements
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Mileage at each entry
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Supporting documentation
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Digital history printouts
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Gaps clearly highlighted
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Notes for resale or warranty use
This creates a complete, trusted service log for any second-hand car — even if records were scattered or lost.
Why Not Rely on Sellers or Dealerships Alone?
Many sellers claim "full service history" but provide:
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A few stamped pages
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Scanned invoices
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Missing years
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Handwritten entries
A comprehensive service log requires:
✔ Verification
✔ Evidence
✔ Cross-checking
✔ Dealer confirmation
✔ Repair documentation
Our service ensures you receive the truth, not assumptions.
Who Should Purchase a Comprehensive Service Log?
This is ideal for:
✔ Buyers of second-hand cars
Avoiding hidden maintenance issues.
✔ Sellers increasing vehicle value
A verified log increases trust and price.
✔ Warranty claim applicants
Manufacturers often demand proof of servicing.
✔ Imported car owners
Imports rarely come with UK-format history.
✔ People who lost their service book
We rebuild the entire record from scratch.
Summary: Which Companies Actually Offer Comprehensive Vehicle Service Logs?
Here is the real breakdown:
| Company Type | Comprehensive Service Logs? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HPI / Experian | ❌ No | MOT & background only |
| CarVertical / AutoDNA | ❌ No | Aggregated VIN data only |
| Manufacturer apps | ⚠️ Partial | Only dealer-uploaded entries |
| Independent garages | ⚠️ Partial | Only their own servicing |
| CarServiceHistory.co.uk | ✅ Yes | Contacts all garages to produce a complete verified service log |
If you want a trusted, complete and verified service history for a second-hand car, you must use a specialist provider that manually gathers the evidence — and that is exactly what we do.