Car service can add 26% in value

29/09/11

By Emma McFarnon

Putting your car in for a service can often feel like a costly and time-consuming nuisance. But a new study shows it can add 26 per cent to your vehicle's sell-on value.

A survey conducted by Kwik Fit found that drivers who ensure their car has an up-to-date service book can expect to receive up to £1,500 more when selling it on than a driver without a stamped service book. The average used car sells for £5,500.

Some 34 per cent of respondents said they would not buy a car that did not have a full service history.

Kwik Fit's customer services director, David White, said: "It's accepted that a fully-stamped service book will increase the re-sale value of a car but this research has been able to put a figure on it.

"Motorists with one or two stamps missing should bear in mind that some services will still carry a premium over none at all, particularly if they've been carried out more recently."

Last year just 6.7 million used cars were sold - the lowest number in a decade. Against this backdrop, a fully-stamped service book is likely to become more important than ever.

The survey of 2,026 adults showed Londoners and Scottish motorists were prepared to spend the most money on a fully-serviced car.

Those over the age of 65 were particularly adamant they would not buy a car unless it had a full service history.