Can you sell a car without a Full Service History?
Can you sell a car without a Full Service History?
By Roger Houghton
Yes, one can sell a car without a service record, but nowadays a Full Service History (FSH) is a very important attribute for the seller as it allows him or her to set a slightly higher price, while for the buyer it provides much-needed peace of mind when laying out money to buy a pre-owned vehicle. It proves that the car was serviced according to manufacturer's guidelines at an approved dealer or service centre.
Some franchised dealers put a specific value on a vehicle offered for trade in having a FSH. This can take the form of a percentage being deducted from the price they are prepared to pay, underlining the value of a FSH as a selling tool.
It is, therefore, wise to continue to have the car serviced at a franchised dealer even after the warranty has expired as it can result in a higher selling price or trade-in value.
All manufacturers and importers in South Africa provide new car buyers with a service book, aptly known as the Book of Life in local Toyota-speak. These booklets list the various services required at certain time or distance intervals. Most makes of cars and light commercial vehicles also link these prescribed maintenance services to the validity of the car’s service or maintenance plan.
Those people who drive short distances must be aware of the prescribed maximum time intervals – usually 12 months. If this time limit is exceeded – despite a low number of kilometres being covered in this period – it can invalidate the service or maintenance plan as well as the warranty.
If you do not continue to have the vehicle serviced at a franchised dealership for budgetary or convenience reasons, then keep the invoices from the service centre that does the work to show that the vehicle has been well maintained. Also make sure that the service centre stamps the service book at every service. It is not as valuable as a FSH record from a franchised dealer, but a written record of regular servicing does provide a level of confidence to the potential buyer.