Does Skipping a Service Affect Your Car’s Value?
When life gets busy, it’s easy to delay or skip a scheduled car service. But if you’re planning to sell your vehicle, missed services can raise questions for buyers — even if the car appears to run well.
This guide explains how skipping a service can affect your car’s value, what buyers typically look for, and when a missed service matters most.
How buyers view missed services
Most buyers don’t expect a car to be perfectly serviced on the exact due date every time. What they look for instead is a pattern of responsible ownership.
Buyers are usually checking for:
- Regular servicing over the car’s lifetime
- Evidence the car wasn’t neglected
- No warning lights or unresolved mechanical issues
- A reasonable explanation for any gaps
One missed service is rarely a deal-breaker on its own, but repeated gaps can reduce confidence.
When skipping a service can reduce value
Skipping a service is more likely to affect value if:
- The car is newer or still within manufacturer warranty
- There are multiple missed services
- The service relates to critical maintenance (oil changes, timing components, brakes)
- The buyer is comparing similar cars with full histories
In these cases, buyers may negotiate harder or factor in the cost of servicing themselves.
When a missed service matters less
A skipped service often has less impact when:
- The car is older or high mileage
- The vehicle has otherwise been well maintained
- The car is priced realistically for its condition
- You’re selling to a dealer rather than privately
For many buyers, overall condition and how the car drives matter more than a perfectly stamped service book.
Should you service the car before selling?
If you’re planning to sell my car, the decision usually comes down to cost versus reassurance. A service may help smooth the sale, but it won’t always increase the final offer enough to recover the cost.
Being upfront about any missed services and pricing the car accordingly is often more effective than trying to “catch up” on maintenance.
When further spending no longer makes sense
If a missed service has led to mechanical issues or the cost of servicing outweighs the car’s value, continuing to invest money may not be worthwhile.
In these situations, it can be sensible to consider whether it’s time to scrap my car rather than keep paying for maintenance that won’t improve its resale prospects.
Key takeaway
Skipping a service doesn’t automatically reduce your car’s value, but patterns of missed maintenance can affect buyer confidence. Focus on honesty, realistic pricing, and overall condition when deciding your next step.
