Do Dealerships Look at Service Records of Trade-In Vehicles?

Quick Recap

• Service records are important because they show how well a car has been maintained, and whether it’s had any repairs. 
• Car dealerships will take service records into account when calculating a car’s worth. Without proper paperwork, you may not get as much money or trade-in value for the vehicle.
• Dealerships can use a vehicle’s VIN to research its service records on CarFax or similar sites, although these records may be incomplete. 

Why Service Records Matter for Trade-In Vehicles

Why do dealerships look at service records? In short, it’s because car dealerships need to know the car’s service history for trade-in valuation. 

Along with price and gas mileage, some of the top considerations when buying a used SUV, sports car, or sedan are the car’s condition and accident history. While a dealership trade-in inspection can tell the buyer what shape the vehicle is in now, it doesn’t give a full picture of the entire vehicle history. 

Service records are important. They show how well the car was maintained and any repair work done. Our Hawthorne dealership will most likely ask for service records or look them up at the beginning of the trade-in process. 

The dealer probably has access to the vehicle’s service records, especially if you purchased the car from them. They can look up the car’s service history online, too. If you have had your car regularly serviced throughout its life (i.e., routine oil changes, tire rotations, fluid checks, etc.), it’s likely to be in better shape and have fewer problems. Well-maintained cars also tend to last longer.

Benefits of Bringing Service Records to a Dealership

If you’ve kept up with your vehicle’s service recommendations, it’s reasonable to assume you can get more money from a trade-in. The benefits of providing the service records include:

• More room to negotiate: A trade-in offer can be negotiable. By now, you’ve likely researched the value of your car in your area. If the trade-in offer is low, you can provide records of good service to ask for a higher offer. This is easier if you have data to back up an argument for a better price. If you’ve received offers from other dealers, you can use them as leverage to lower your down payment or the total car price.
• Consider extras and add-ons: Extras and add-ons can help increase your car’s resale, or trade-in value. Service records that show proof of replaced parts and non-standard accessories are, the greater the chances of them increasing the vehicle’s value. A higher trim level may also be more valuable. But you stand a better chance of benefiting if you have good service records.
• Time your trade-in: You’re more likely to get a better trade-in value if your car is in high demand. Along with bringing service records, consider the season, day of the week/month, and the weather when trading in your vehicle. If you have an all-wheel-drive SUV, trade it in in the winter. If you own a convertible, consider trading it in during the spring or summer.

How Dealerships Look Up Service Records

If you don’t have copies of your car’s service records, the dealership can look it up. All they need is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and an online database such as CarFax or AutoCheck. These sources can provide a report that shows when the car was maintained and repaired (and when/if/what parts have been replaced). Service records can also show if it was ever damaged in a flood or fire. 

Do You Need Service Records to Trade In Your Car?

No, you don’t need to have your service records to trade in your car, but the trade-in value will be lower. Wondering how service records affect trade-in value? It’s simple. Service records are detailed proof of maintenance, repairs, and any other work put into the car. With proof that the vehicle had regular oil changes, tire rotations, brake jobs, and other care, the car will be much more appealing to a buyer, and will fetch a higher sale price.

Your old car’s service records can help in valuing your trade and coming to a fair agreement. If you’re buying a used car, bring as many documents as possible to get a fair value to apply to your used car purchase.

Can You Get the Service Records of a Car You Want to Buy?

Whether you’re looking for a car under $15,000, or an almost-new luxury vehicle, as a used car buyer, you can research the service history or take the vehicle to a mechanic before purchasing it. You can also ask the dealership. They may provide the records without a fee, while other dealers may not release maintenance records due to privacy concerns (some records can contain the previous owner’s phone number, address, or credit card information). 

If a dealer cites privacy concerns, you can request the records in person and ask the dealer to print them and block out any personal information. And remember, you’ll only get records of service done at the dealership. Any service performed at an independent mechanic won’t show up in the dealer’s database. Therefore, you may want to obtain the dealer’s records (if they have any) and schedule an independent inspection.

Value Your Trade-In at Hawthorne Auto Square

Use our Edmunds Trade-In Value Estimator to receive an instant online vehicle appraisal. It uses specific details about your car to estimate its resale price. However, the tool does not factor in its condition, which is why our dealership looks at the service records of trade-in vehicles.

If you’re ready to trade in your old vehicle for a new-to-you car, call Hawthorne Auto Square today. We offer no-credit financing options which make it easier for anybody to purchase a vehicle, even if you’ve had a car repossessed. This flexible financing comes with affordable monthly payment plans, tailored to your unique situation.

Our team is happy to evaluate your car and make a trade-in offer you can apply to your next used car purchase in Los Angeles. People in our service area, including Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, and other nearby communities, can also take advantage of our maintenance plans. To learn more or browse our range of popular and luxury brands, continue browsing, call (855) 716-2278, or visit us in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you trade in a car without maintenance records?

Yes, it is completely legal in California to trade in your car without any maintenance records. You will probably get a lower trade-in value than you would with detailed proof of oil changes, repairs, and other upkeep, because the dealer won’t be able to verify these things were done properly, by a licensed mechanic, or if they were done at all. That said, they can still have the vehicle inspected and its value, and physical condition appraised to come up with a fair price.

Can I get service records if I lost mine?

Yes! The California DMV keeps vehicle registration records, and you can use vehicle history report services like Carfax or AutoCheck for accident history, maintenance and service records, title status, and more.

Does regular maintenance increase a car’s trade-in value?

Yes, a vehicle that has had regular preventative maintenance will have more trade-in value than one that hasn’t. A well-maintained vehicle will need fewer repairs, will have less wear and tear, and will be less likely to break down, making it more likely to sell for a higher price than a poorly-maintained car.