Can maintenance records be checked if not serviced at a 4S shop?
2 Answers
If the vehicle is not serviced at a 4S shop, the maintenance records cannot be checked. Here are some precautions regarding vehicle maintenance: 1. Regularly clean body stains: The paint surface of the vehicle body will deteriorate over time if continuously exposed to stains, leading to dullness and reduced glossiness. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the paint surface by regularly cleaning the body to maintain its cleanliness. 2. Regularly change the engine oil: Engine oil has a limited service life. It is important to replace the vehicle's engine oil periodically, as prolonged use causes the oil to become increasingly turbid, which can damage the car's engine. Hence, special attention must be paid to engine oil maintenance during servicing.
You asked me whether maintenance records can be checked if not done at a 4S shop. Honestly, I think it depends. If the maintenance was done at a small shop outside, the owner likely doesn't have a networked system—just giving me a receipt or telling me verbally, with no automatic record. I've been driving for over ten years and often get repairs done at different places. I've found that only larger chain stores, like Tuhu, use computers to archive your records, making them easier to check. But small workshops are unreliable—you have to ask them for records or keep your own log. The most crucial part is when selling the car; buyers will definitely want to see maintenance history to prove the car's condition. So now, after every maintenance, I use a mobile app to note details like oil changes and filter replacements, then take photos of the receipts and save them. This way, no matter where I go, I can pull them up anytime. It saves hassle and avoids warranty disputes, since manufacturers might not recognize outside receipts, affecting claims.
