Quick Answer
A car's service history is a medical record that most buyers and owners can't read. Understanding mileage patterns, fluid change intervals, and missing entries reveals whether a vehicle was
Your car's service history isn't just a record. It's a story. And like any story, it has a narrative, gaps, and sometimes outright fiction.
Most owners file their service books without reading them. Most buyers glance at stamps without understanding them. Both miss critical information that separates a well-maintained vehicle from one that was merely "stamped" at regular intervals.
Here's how to read your service history — and what it actually tells you about your car's condition.
Every service entry should include:
What most owners look at: The stamp and the date. What you should look at: Everything else.
Plot the mileage readings from each service visit against the dates. A vehicle driven regularly should show consistent annual mileage.
Example — healthy pattern: | Date | Mileage | Annual Rate | |------|---------|-------------| | Jan 2022 | 15,000 km | — | | Jan 2023 | 28,000 km | 13,000 km/year | | Jan 2024 | 42,000 km | 14,000 km/year | | Jan 2025 | 55,000 km | 13,000 km/year |
Red flag pattern: | Date | Mileage | Annual Rate | |------|---------|-------------| | Jan 2022 | 15,000 km | — | | Jan 2023 | 38,000 km | 23,000 km/year | | Jan 2024 | 42,000 km | 4,000 km/year | | Jan 2025 | 60,000 km | 18,000 km/year |
The inconsistency in the red flag pattern suggests either: mileage tampering between years 2-3, a period of storage or non-use, or a change of ownership with different usage patterns. Each possibility warrants investigation.
Compare the interval between services against the manufacturer's recommendation.
What to look for:
Dubai adjustment: If a car in Dubai was serviced at European intervals (15,000-20,000 km), the owner may have followed the book but not the climate. The car may need supplementary maintenance.
Read the work performed column carefully. A "full service" can mean very different things.
Comprehensive service includes:
Minimal "stamp" service includes:
A service book full of stamps with only "oil change" listed suggests the minimum was done to maintain the stamp record, not the vehicle.
Gaps in the service history are more revealing than the entries themselves.
Common gap explanations:
How to verify: Cross-reference service history with the vehicle's digital record. Most manufacturers maintain an electronic service history in their systems. A dealer or specialist with OEM diagnostic tools can retrieve the digital record and compare it to the physical book.
Look at what parts were used — specifically oil specification and filter types.
Good indicators:
Concerning indicators:
Using the wrong oil specification may not cause immediate damage but accelerates long-term wear — particularly in Dubai's heat where correct viscosity and additive packages are critical.
Even a perfect service history has blind spots:
Bottom line: Service history is essential but not sufficient. It should be combined with a physical inspection and diagnostic check for a complete picture.
Q: Can I verify my car's service history electronically?
A: Yes — most manufacturers maintain digital records accessible through their diagnostic systems. A dealer or specialist with OEM tools can retrieve the electronic service record and compare it to your physical book. This cross-reference catches deleted entries and fabricated records.
Q: Is a car with independent service history worth less than dealer history?
A: In the UAE market, dealer history is generally valued higher for resale. However, independent service with proper documentation (itemised invoices, parts receipts, diagnostic reports) is fully legitimate and doesn't affect warranty. For personal use, quality of maintenance matters more than where it was performed.
Q: How do I know if the mileage has been tampered with?
A: Signs: inconsistent service interval mileage, wear on steering wheel/pedals inconsistent with displayed mileage, digital record showing different mileage from the odometer, and OEM diagnostic reading of stored mileage values (some ECUs store mileage independently). A pre-purchase inspection at a specialist includes mileage verification.
Q: Should I keep my own service records?
A: Absolutely. Keep: dated invoices with mileage, itemised parts lists, fluid specifications used, diagnostic reports, and photos of any issues found. Your personal records supplement the service book and provide evidence of maintenance quality.
Q: What's the most important single item to check in a service history?
A: Oil change intervals. Consistent, timely oil changes with correct specification indicate an owner who cared about the basics. If the oil changes are right, other maintenance is usually adequate too. If oil changes are late or missing, assume everything else is behind schedule.
A service history talks. It tells you about the previous owner's care, the quality of their garage, and the real condition of the vehicle. But only if you know how to read it.
Reviewed by [Workshop Director], MotorMec Dubai. Last updated: February 2026
