Blog
Plain-English guides to service history, vehicle history checks and buying a used car.
New here? Start with the fundamentals, the how-to guides or buying and selling. Everything here is written for UK car owners, by the ServiceStamp team.
Featured
Vehicle History Check vs Service History Check: Why You Need Both Before Buying a Used Car
What a vehicle history check covers, what a service history check covers, what each one misses, and why running both is the only way to know what you're really buying.
20 May 2026 · 13 min read
The Complete Guide to Vehicle Service History in 2024
Everything you need to know about vehicle service history: what it is, why it matters, digital vs paper records, how to check it, and its impact on car value. The ultimate resource for buyers, sellers, and car owners.
27 December 2025 · 17 min read
What is Vehicle Service History and Why Does It Matter?
Understanding the importance of vehicle service history when buying or selling a car. Learn what to look for and why it's crucial for vehicle value.
1 December 2025 · 2 min read
Main Dealer vs Independent Garage: Which Is Better for Servicing Your Car?
An honest comparison of main dealer and independent garage servicing. Costs, warranty rules, when each is the right choice, and how to find a good independent.
13 May 2026 · 17 min read
Service History Check Success Rates: What We've Learned From Thousands of Vehicles
We've checked thousands of vehicles for manufacturer service history. Here's what we found: 7 in 10 had digital service records on file. Learn which vehicles are most likely to have records and what affects your chances.
4 April 2026 · 4 min read
Service Stamp Meaning: What a Service Stamp Proves (and What It Doesn't)
Learn what a service stamp means, how digital service stamps work, how to verify them, and why stamps alone aren't a full service history.
7 February 2026 · 3 min read
How to Negotiate Car Price Based on Service History (Buyer's Guide)
Learn how to use service history to negotiate better car prices. Calculate fair adjustments for missing services, gaps, and incomplete maintenance records.
18 December 2025 · 10 min read
Selling a Car Without a Service Book: How to Prove Service History
Lost your service book? Learn how to sell your car effectively without physical service records. Recover digital service history, maximize value, and prove maintenance to buyers.
16 December 2025 · 10 min read
Buying a Used Car Without Service History: Red Flags & What to Do
Considering a used car with no service history? Learn the risks, red flags to watch for, how to recover missing records, and when to walk away from the deal.
10 December 2025 · 10 min read
How to Check Your Car's Service History for Free (UK Top 10 Manufacturers Guide)
Complete guide to checking service history free through Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Kia, Ford, Mercedes, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, and MG manufacturer portals. Plus when paying makes more sense.
31 December 2025 · 10 min read
How to Check Service History with ServiceStamp: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Detailed tutorial on using ServiceStamp to verify manufacturer service history instantly. Learn how to find your VIN, run checks, read reports, and make informed car buying decisions.
29 December 2025 · 17 min read
How to Check Car Service History by VIN Number (Complete Guide 2024)
Step-by-step guide to checking vehicle service history using VIN number. Learn where to find your VIN, how to access manufacturer service records, and verify maintenance history.
26 December 2025 · 9 min read
Vauxhall Service History: How to Check Your Vauxhall's Digital Service Record Online (2026)
UK guide to Vauxhall's Digital Service Record via MyVauxhall and the Stellantis network. Service intervals, what dealer records cover, and how to verify a used Vauxhall.
15 May 2026 · 10 min read
Ford Service History: How to Check Your Ford's Digital Service Record Online (2026)
UK guide to Ford's Digital Service Record. Access service history via FordPass, model service intervals, and how to verify a used Ford before buying.
14 May 2026 · 10 min read
Aixam Service History: How to Check Aixam Service History Online (2026)
Official guide to checking Aixam service history online, dealer access, limitations, and buyer tips.
7 February 2026 · 2 min read
Service History Checks for Car Traders & Dealerships: Professional Guide to Bulk VIN Verification
Comprehensive guide for car dealers, traders, and auction buyers. Learn how to verify service history at scale, avoid costly mistakes, increase stock value, and build customer trust with professional VIN checks.
15 December 2025 · 17 min read
Car Auction Buying Guide: Using VIN Checks to Bid Confidently
Professional guide to using VIN checks at car auctions. Learn how to verify service history during previews, avoid overpaying, spot undervalued lots, and maximize auction profits.
13 December 2025 · 11 min read
ServiceStamp Now Offers Vehicle History Checks: The UK's Most Complete Used Car Check
ServiceStamp now offers full vehicle history checks alongside service history checks, plus a combined full car check covering both. The UK's most complete used car check, in one place.
19 May 2026 · 13 min read
ServiceStamp Is Live in Germany: Official Manufacturer Service History Checks for €9.99
ServiceStamp has launched in Germany at servicestamp.de, giving used-car buyers and sellers instant access to official manufacturer-recorded service history for 43+ brands, priced at €9.99 per check.
21 April 2026 · 5 min read
Trade Accounts Are Live: Service History Checks Built for the UK Motor Trade
ServiceStamp Trade Accounts give dealers, garages, auction buyers and fleet operators bulk access to official digital service history records. We've already run thousands of trade checks across the UK.
15 April 2026 · 8 min read
Check your vehicle
Once you've read up, run a Service History Check on your own car or one you're about to buy. From £9.99, three minutes, refund if we can't generate a report.
Run a CheckBuying or selling vehicles in volume?
Reports from £3.99 with volume pricing. The more you check, the less you pay, plus dedicated support and a team dashboard.