No service book with your car? Here's what to do

What is a car service book and why it matters

By Tia Harrison-North

Last updated: 3 October 2025

Finding out there’s no service book with a car you’re planning to purchase can put a damper on things.

A full service history is desirable for a new car and shows that it’s been well looked after. The service book is proof of that, as it collects stamps from each service that’s completed.

Find out what to do if you’re buying (or have already bought) a car that’s missing its service book.

What to do if there’s no service book with your car

You can start by asking the seller or dealership if they have the service book, as sometimes documents can get missed when buying and selling a car. It can be as easy as that!

They might also have access to digital service record, as many manufacturers now record their servicing online.

You can also reach out to the car manufacturer and see what records they have for the vehicle. This step will be especially helpful if the car has been serviced at an approved manufacturer garage, as they’ll keep hold of the records from the work carried out.

It might also be an option to contact garages where you had the work carried out. They might be able supply you with a new copy of your service receipt, and you can rebuild your service history from scratch.

Lost car service book – can you get a replacement?

If you’ve lost your service book, then it is possible to get a replacement. Your best bet is to contact the manufacturer and see what they can supply you with. You might need to show them a V5C form or other documents to show the vehicle is in your possession.

Lots of manufacturers now record service history online anyway; there might not have had a physical copy to begin with.

How to get a service book for my car

Getting a new copy of your service book might be different depending on the age of the car and the make and model.

Your best steps will likely be:

Once you’ve identified the exact model of the car, contact the manufacturer or an approved dealership
Request a duplicate version of your service history
Alternatively, request an online version of your history

Buying a car without a service book – what to consider

Buying a car without a service book or any other servicing record can have its drawbacks. It will be hard to verify if the vehicle has been properly maintained, and this can make it a risky purchase.

Cars without service history can also lose value and have a lower resale price. That might feel like good news when you’re purchasing the car, but can be a bit of a pain when it’s time to sell.

You might want to ask the current owner for receipts, invoices and records of any maintenance work they’ve carried out on the car if they don’t have the service book. You might also be able to access a digital service record, or get a duplicate copy of the book from the manufacturer.

So, if you’re buying a car without a service book you may want to consider:

Does the car come with other receipts to show regular maintenance?
Is there a digital service record?
Will the car’s value be impacted?
Can you get a duplicate service book?

Keeping on top of regular servicing

Keeping up with car servicing is an important part of ownership. Not only does it help maintain the car’s value, but it also ensures the car is safe to drive.

It’s usually recommended to have a car serviced every 12,000-miles or 12 months, with a minor/interim service at the 6,000-mile or six-month mark.

You can also get a full/major service every 24,000 miles if you really want to freshen things up and keep your car running at its best.

Servicing may also be required for a full manufacturer’s warranty. For example, Toyota gives you three years’ cover, but with annual servicing at authorised garages, you can extend the warranty all the way up to 10 years (an industry best).

Book servicing at cinch

You can book your car in for a service at a cinch or Marshall store* whether you purchased it from us or not. We also offer MOTs and electric car servicing.