Service History vs Low Kms | What really matters?

If you are shopping for a used car, it is easy to be drawn to the one with the lowest kilometres . After all lower kilometres must mean a better car, right ?

Not always.

At Garage 27 we look at a vehicles service history before we look at its odometer. Why? Because how a car has been maintained often tells us far more about its future reliability than the number on the Dashboard.

What is a service history?

A service history is a record of the maintenance a vehicle has received throughout its life. It shows whether the previous owner kept up with the routine servicing and whether important maintenance was carried out on time.

A complete service history gives us confidence that the vehicle has been cared for properly.

Why it matters

Regular servicing isn’t just about changing the engine oil. It also helps identify wear and tear before it becomes an expensive problem.

A well maintained vehicle is more likley to:

• Run more reliable

• Last longer

• Perform better

• Retain its value

• Save you money on unexpected repairs

Low kilometres can be misleading

A car with low kilometres is not automatically a better buy. We have seen vehicles with surprisingly low kilometres that have:

• Missed scheduled services

• Sat unused for long periods

• Developed issues from lack of use

• Been poorly maintained despite minimal driving

On the other hand we have inspected high kilometer vehicles with an excellent service history that are in outstanding mechanical condition

What we look for

When assessing a used vehicle our workshop considers:

• Consistent servicing

• Timing belt or chain maintenance (where applicable)

• Brake and suspension condition

• Tyres

• Signs of previous repairs

• Overall mechanical condition

The odometer is just one part of the story.

The bottom line

If you are comparing two vehicles ask which one has been looked after better. More often than not thats the question that leads to the better purchase.