A complete service history could see you getting an extra R50,000 for your car when selling it to a dealer.
A full service record shows that a particular car has been well looked after, which indicates to a prospective buyer that it is in a dependable mechanical condition and is unlikely to require costly repairs.
Usually, a vehicle must be taken for a service once a year, or once every 10,000km to 20,000km, depending on the model.
When it’s in for a checkup, the mechanic will usually refresh the fluids and other consumables, check the brakes and tyres, bring the wheel alignment back into the manufacturer parameters, test the suspension, and address any other issues you may have.
As such, not only will a vehicle with a service record do better on the used market, but it will also serve you better while you own it as it will be less prone to breakdowns.
What your service record can do for you
To see what impact a complete service record will have when the time comes to say goodbye to your wheels, TopAuto got in touch with a contact in the automotive industry with access to accurate trade-in values.
The expert confirmed that dealers do offer significantly better prices for cars with complete service records, and highlighted a few more noteworthy aspects that the average consumer ought to be aware of.
He said the main aspects that determine what you will get for your ride are the brand, model, condition, and mileage, as well as the current demand for that particular car, which all matter significantly more than a documented service history.
That said, he noted that a service record is still an appreciated value-add, but that it matters more for some brands than others.
“Specifically for Toyota and VW, our offers remain strong even without a service history,” he said.
This is due to cars from these automakers enjoying consistently high demand in the new and used markets.
“For brands like BMW, a missing service history will see it lose a significant chunk of value,” he said.
These brands are known for being more technical to work on and have pricier parts. They are therefore considerably more expensive to repair when they break, which is reflected in their drop-off in price when they are sold without a service record.
The table below, provided by our informant, details what you could expect to get for popular pre-owned vehicles when selling them to a dealer, depending on the extent of their service record.
To keep things consistent, we looked at the prices of 2018 models with over 100,000km on the clock that are in good condition for their age.
Keep in mind that these are estimations and may not be what you are offered should you take your vehicle to a dealer, as prices are generally determined on a case-by-case basis.
| Model | No service record | Partial service record | Complete service record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 VW Polo Vivo 1.4 55kW Trendline | R90,000 | R95,000 | R105,000 |
| 2018 Ford Everest 3.2TDCi 4WD XLT | R280,000 | R300,000 | R320,000 |
| 2018 Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC Raider Auto | R380,000 | R400,000 | R420,000 |
| 2018 BMW 320d M Sport | R140,000 | R160,000 | R190,000 |
| 2018 Suzuki Jimny 1.3 | R115,000 | R125,000 | R135,000 |
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