With a small investment of time, a little sheet of paper can help you realize hundreds more dollars when it comes time to sell your vehicle. A vehicle history log, or maintenance record, takes you very little effort to keep, but can make all the difference to a potential buyer who wants to know that a car they are considering purchasing has been taken care of.
Why you need it
You may look like the sweet, innocent boy/girl next door type, but someone buying your car has no idea whether you treated your vehicle like a beloved family member or if you waited until the dashboard maintenance lights were lit up like a Christmas tree to head to the mechanic’s shop. You can put the potential purchaser of your vehicle at ease – and probably squeeze out a significant amount of money in price negotiations – if you have a well-kept record of how you doted over your car. Additionally, some warranties require you to provide proof that you have maintained your car up to the expected standards.
How to start one
You can buy small booklets online that were specifically created to be vehicle service logs, but you don’t necessarily have to shell out money to start one. Many cars come with owner’s manuals that contain a log within the pages of the manual. Or you can just use paper you have around the house. If you are of more of a high-tech mindset, there are also a number of apps that will allow you to keep a log on your mobile device.
What to record
It’s best to record all types of maintenance, repairs or replacements the car undergoes. You should definitely include things like:
- Oil change
- Tire rotation
- Tires replaced
- Brakes replaced
- Air filter replaced
- Alignment work
- Suspension work (shocks and struts)
- Air conditioning enhanced
- Belts or chains replaced
- State inspections performed
- Repairs made as a result of an accident
When in doubt, write it down. It can’t hurt to have a record of the ways you have made your vehicle better.
How to record it
Each entry in the log should include:
- Specific description of what was done
- Cost (for rectifying with receipts later if necessary)
- Date
- Mileage on the vehicle at the time
- Shop that performed the work (or if you did the work yourself)
- Your initials
Where to keep it
It’s usually best to stash that little baby in your glove box, along with a pen for making your entries. It’s pretty simple to remember to make a few post-maintenance jottings when it’s only an arms-length away. It’s a good idea to make copies periodically and store them where you keep important paper inside your home. If you are using a mobile device, make sure you back up your information regularly so that you don’t lose your records if the device goes missing.
What else to do
It certainly doesn’t hurt to keep receipts from oil changes, repairs, or other upkeep to the vehicle. Keeping a written record is great, but some buyers may want a little more proof. Keep the receipts with your important documents at home. You’re probably best off to start a new folder dedicated to your vehicle maintenance.
Of course it also helps if you actually perform regular maintenance on the vehicle! Otherwise, you have nothing to report.
It only takes a few moments to record the work you’ve had done to your vehicle. Even if you add up all the seconds you spend over the years writing down your service history, you’re still likely to get paid over $100 per hour for your work!
One of the most important steps in truly taking command of your financial situation is to become organized. No matter whether they are in paper or electronic format, you should have files for the following:
Find Your Balance 