MOTORING NEWS - We're always told not to buy a car without a service history, but does it really make a difference? 

Should you automatically rule out buying a used car because its service history is missing or incomplete?

Motus Select, a provider of used vehicles, highlights five reasons why service history is crucial when buying a used car.

1. If there is no service history, there is always the possibility that a used car has been "clocked”. Clocking describes the process of lowering a vehicle's recorded mileage in order to make it appear newer and more appealing to prospective buyers.
   
   
2. A service history demonstrates that the previous owner of the car cared for it and was organised when it came to car maintenance. While this is not a guarantee that the vehicle is in mint condition, it is a promising sign. 
   
   
3. By buying a used car with a service history, there is no reason to lower the price of the vehicle if you decide to sell it in the future. The lack of a service history can reduce the value of a vehicle by up to 20%.
   
   
4. Manufacturers will honour warranties on any components that fail if the car has been properly maintained and used. 
   
   
5. The more maintenance performed, the more likely the car will function properly for many more years to come. 

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