Thinking of selling your car? Getting it serviced beforehand can make it more attractive to buyers and even increase the price you get for it – but not in every case. Whether or not to service depends on who you’re selling to, the condition of your car, and on how much you hope to sell it for. If you’re looking for some clear advice to help you make the right choice, this article is for you.
Why service your car before selling?
So, you’ve decided to sell your car. Before you list it, there are a few preparations you’ll need to make to ensure your car is in the best possible shape.
These include:
Giving it a sparkling clean inside and out
Renewing the MOT within the next two or three months (if it’s going to run out soon)
Getting all your documents in order (V5C logbook, MOT certificates, service history)
Last but not least: getting your car serviced.
Servicing your car is all part of presenting it in the best possible light, much like getting it cleaned and valeted. In fact, being able to provide a full, up-to-date service history could increase the value of your car by up to 20%, according to the RAC.
If a potential buyer can see that the car has recently been serviced and that any necessary repairs have already been made, this demonstrates that you have taken good care of the car during your ownership, boosting buying confidence and justifying a higher price.
Servicing your car before selling can:
✅ Build trust with buyers – a recent service can reassure private buyers that the car has been taken good care of
✅ Highlight reliability – a stamped service book or receipts confirm the car has been well maintained
✅ Prevent haggling – buyers could try and negotiate a lower price if there is maintenance outstanding
✅ Improve the resale value of your car, especially for private sales
✅ Help you sell the car more quickly
Read all about what buyers are thinking about and looking for when choosing a used car in our comprehensive guide: What to look for when buying a used car.
There’s no doubt that being able to provide a full service history (FSH) can significantly boost the resale value of a car, particularly from private buyers. A well-documented service book is one of the first things buyers look for. This is because it shows that the car has been cared for and well maintained during its lifespan, providing peace of mind and assurance to buyers.
Servicing your car regularly also reduces the chances of hidden mechanical issues. Even if your car is not due a service for a few months, getting one done before you sell it will save the buyer money and time, and could help you command a higher price.
If you are unsure about the previous history of your car (perhaps it used to belong to someone else), you can run an MOT history check to confirm its MOT history, any fails, major faults and subsequent repairs. This way you can rule out any red flags that might concern potential buyers and proactively address any outstanding issues before you sell.
Take a look at our MOT checklist for what to expect from an MOT and how to give your car the best chance of passing: MOT checklist: What to expect and how to prepare
If you’ve lost any of the service history paperwork for your car, it’s a good idea to piece together the missing service history, if you can. If you’ve lost the car service record, contact the manufacturer – they may be able to supply you with their own digital records. You might also be able to recover some of your service history online using a service history check tool (there are lots to be found via Google). But if you can’t provide a full service history, a full service can help to restore confidence in buyers by providing reassurance about the car’s current safety and reliability.
The answer to this question is not so straightforward: it will depend on the age, value and existing service history of your car. Dealers usually perform their own checks and repairs to any car they are selling on, so you won’t need to service your car unless it is due – or overdue – for one.
If your car is due for a service, providing the dealership with a clean service record or a very recent service can make your car more appealing and boost its value.
You might be able to secure a better price or a faster deal if the dealers can confidently resell the car with minimal work. Although the dealership will recondition the car before selling it on, they may offer you a higher price if there is little or no repair work for them to do.
Having said that, if any major repair work is required, it’s usually best to leave that to the dealers to sort out at a lower trade price. (They will have access to cheaper parts and labour; any expensive retail service that you’d pay for probably isn’t worth it.)
Service costs vs car value
Always weigh up the cost of the service against the price you expect to achieve for your car. Can you add that cost to the asking price?
A £150-£250 service on a car worth £10,000 is a wise move and a worthwhile investment
But spending £800 on a car worth £1,500 doesn’t make good financial sense
Think of it as an investment – you want the service to either increase the price or speed up the sale.
If your car is on finance and you’re trading it in, servicing isn’t usually necessary, although this will depend on the condition of your car and on the particulars of your finance deal.
If you financed your car through a dealership, the dealer will value the car according to its condition, mileage and market demand, not just whether it’s recently been to the garage. Dealers often factor in the cost of reconditioning the car into their offer, whether you’re on a hire purchase contract or a personal contract purchase arrangement.
However, if you're close to or in negative equity, a service could help you achieve a slightly better valuation, which could reduce what you’d owe after you trade it in.
Always be up-front with your dealer about any known issues, as they can affect your trade-in offer, regardless of the type of finance agreement you have.
Final thoughts
Servicing your car before you sell it isn’t always essential, but it can be a wise move in the right situation.
For private sales of mid- to high-value cars, a recent service gives confidence and peace of mind to the buyer and could help you secure a better price. For trade-ins or dealer sales, a service isn’t always required.
Essentially, it boils down to this: if the service cost is small compared to the car’s value, and it helps your car stand out, then it’s worth doing. If not, or you’re selling to a dealership, save your money and let the next owner take care of it.
FAQs
What does car service history include?
A car service history typically includes records of regular maintenance, such as oil changes, filter replacements, brake checks, tyre rotations, and any major repairs. A full service history (FSH) means that all manufacturer-recommended services have been completed. A FSH will show dates, details of each service, parts replaced and the service schedule followed.
How does service history affect car valuation?
A full- or well-documented service history can increase your car’s value. It gives buyers confidence that the vehicle has been well maintained, making them more likely to pay a higher price or complete the sale faster.
Is a car worth less without a full service history?
Yes – cars without a FSH or with only a partial service history (PSH) are often valued lower, as a patchy or non-existent service history suggests that the car may not have received regular maintenance when it should. Buyers are more likely to view the car as a higher-risk purchase and may either try to negotiate the price down or avoid it entirely.
Should I bother servicing my car if I’m selling to a dealer?
It’s not really necessary to service your car if you’re selling to a dealer, because they are likely to service the car themselves regardless. However, a recent service can help support your asking price if you’re trading in a higher-value vehicle, and it is always worthwhile if you’re selling privately.
