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I’ve been looking at a used SUV and the seller says the service book is fully stamped, but I’m not sure what that really proves. How can I tell if the recorded maintenance is actually meaningful or if it’s just a box-ticking exercise?

I bought a used SUV last year. The stamps looked legit but I called the garages on the log and asked them to confirm. One place could not find a record and another gave a dated printout. The stamp alone does not prove the work happened. I checked the odometer readings for each stamp and compared them to receipts when possible. If a major service is stamped years apart or without receipts the warning light goes on.

Sometimes the book looks perfect but the work was skipped or rushed. I saw stamps for many services yet the car still felt rough ahead of a test drive. There was no clear proof of parts used and no sign of a brake fluid change or timing belt work. It felt like someone filled the pages rather than actually service the car.

Take it to an independent mechanic for a pre purchase check and ask them to review the history against the mileage. Demand receipts not just stamps. Look for gaps in the log at high mileages for major items like belts brakes or fluids. If the car shows wear in other areas the stamp story might not hold up.

Do you think the service history is the real problem here?

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