Different people approach automotive maintenance in a host of various ways. While some more hyper-sensitive service types change their oil every 1,500 miles, conduct regular oil analysis, calculate real observed fuel mileage at each refill of Ultra 94, and interview their auto techs, others, usually with a lease, can't be bothered to even run through the 50 cent car wash nevermind change oil (ever), conduct scheduled maintenance, or even care as to the type of gas they use.
Should either vehicle hit the used car market however, once they have been cleaned up, it may be very difficult to tell one from the other, at least on the outside. And unless you possess some know-how and tools (or have an independent inspection done), figuring out what impact the maintenance (or lack there of) has had on the vehicle may be all but impossible.
And this is where service records come in.
All manufacturers include owner's manuals with their new vehicles with either a section or dedicated manual depicting service schedules and information. Many times, these manuals will include actual spaces where the automotive technician can write in some things like date, mileage and service information and sometimes offers a place for a stamp. The problem is, most techs don't bother to fish out the booklet and stamp it unless the owner specifically requests it. Eventually you are left with an incomplete service history and once it's incomplete, what's the point of having it at all?
For some people, the service history really doesn't mean anything. Though for others, especially with older and collectible vehicles, it can make the difference between a purchase and a pass. Some companies have realized the value in this and have gone to lengths to making keeping a history easier on the owner. For example, CARFAX keeps tabs on all registrations and other legal identifications when a vehicle is officially identified and with some manufacturers conducting a service may show up. Also, GM and Ford are examples of OEMs that have internal service systems that can track a vehicle's history throughout their network. The problem is when a customer takes their vehicle to a non-Ford dealer or service facility for work, unless the owner manually inputs service information into the database (which can be done in some cases), then that service goes otherwise unrecorded.
A national service database that collected all service records, as well as recall info, salvage and flood history, VIN info, sales, etc...regardless of location or company would be nifty, but the emphasis on service importance is no where near enough to justify (or entice) everyone to build and adopt such a system.
If you have conducted your service religiously and hope to get something extra out of it at a private sale (generally when trading a vehicle into a dealer, service history doesn't affect wholesale pricing and is ignored or even tossed out, regardless of what they might tell you or the next perspective buyer), the least you can do is to be sure and keep all of your individual service receipts with your owner's manual. This will at least act as a good indicator of your interest in car care and provide something to track for those sensitive types. If you do want to actually do it online, there are several OEM and independent sites that let you input all individual services.
Either way, maintaining your vehicle to the factory-recommendations is an expensive and time-consuming proposition. If you are good enough to do it, then you might as well get something out of it at the eventual time when the car has to go.
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