The archive

Notes from the garage.

Practical, UK-specific guides to service history, MOTs and vehicle records. Written for owners who actually want to keep their cars right.

Classic

Building Provenance for a Classic Car

The documents that matter for a classic or modern classic — heritage certificates, restoration invoices, period photos, chassis records — and how to build a provenance file that adds real money.

13/08/2026 · 9 min read

Selling

How Much Does Full Service History Add to Your Car's Value?

The real UK data on how full service history affects used-car value — with example price gaps at £10k, £20k and £30k, and what actually moves the number.

13/08/2026 · 8 min read

Ownership

Digital Service Record vs Paper Service Book

How manufacturer digital service records (DSR) work in the UK, how they compare to paper service books, and which holds more value at resale.

13/08/2026 · 7 min read

Selling

Full vs Part Service History: What UK Buyers Actually Check

The real difference between full service history (FSH) and part service history (PSH) in the UK — including the specific documents buyers check and the value impact of each.

13/08/2026 · 8 min read

Maintenance

Cambelt Change Intervals: UK Manufacturer Guide

Brand-by-brand cambelt (timing belt) change intervals for the most common UK cars, plus the "whichever comes first" trap that catches out low-mileage owners.

13/08/2026 · 9 min read

MOT

The Complete Guide to Checking MOT History

How to check any UK vehicle's MOT history for free, what the DVLA record actually shows, and the gaps the free tool doesn't fill.

13/08/2026 · 10 min read

Ownership

Lost Your Service History? Here's How to Rebuild It

A step-by-step UK guide to reconstructing missing service records — from DVLA MOT history to garage callbacks to owner clubs — before you sell or need to prove ownership.

13/08/2026 · 8 min read

Selling

How to Prove Full Service History When Selling Your Car in the UK

What buyers actually check, which documents count as proof, and how to present a service history that adds hundreds — sometimes thousands — to your asking price.

13/08/2026 · 9 min read