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.
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12 entries
What Documents Do You Need to Sell a Car in the UK?
Everything you need before you list — the legally required documents, the ones that add money to your asking price, and the physical items buyers check for.
How to Spot a Clocked Car: Mileage Discrepancies Explained
The four checks that expose a clocked car, what the DVLA MOT record does and doesn't cover, and what your rights actually are if you've already bought one.
Can You Service Your Car at an Independent Garage Without Voiding the Warranty?
Whether an independent service voids your manufacturer warranty in the UK, the block exemption rules that decide it, and the evidence you need to keep.
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.
How Much Does Full Service History Add to Your Car's Value?
How full service history affects used-car value in the UK — typical ranges, illustrative price gaps at £10k, £20k and £30k, and what actually moves the number.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.