Your Guide to Vehicle Maintenance Records

A lot goes into owning a car, and taking care of it properly can be overwhelming for new car owners. One habit that our Metro Motor technicians encourage everyone to pick up is maintaining your vehicle maintenance records. The earlier you start, the easier it will be to keep them all straight.

Car Maintenance & Ownership Records

Vehicle Registration

This paper document is affiliated with the license plate of the car, proving it has been registered for that year. Along with proof of insurance, your vehicle registration is one of the most important documents to keep inside your car. However, we do recommend keeping just a copy of your registration in your glove box, leaving the official document safe at home.

Vehicle Title

While the vehicle registration papers signify the car has been registered in a given year, your vehicle title lets people know it was registered to and owned by you. Unlike your registration, though, experts do not recommend keeping this document or a copy of it in your car. Your vehicle title does not contain information necessary during ordinary maintenance or in the event you get pulled over. However, it does list personal information about the vehicle’s owner that could leave them vulnerable to identity theft if someone were to break into the car. 

Insurance Papers

Proof of auto insurance is a vital piece of your car’s maintenance and ownership paperwork. You cannot legally drive a car in the US without proof of responsibility for that vehicle and/r yourself as a driver. Auto insurance is by far the most common proof as it promises your financial responsibility for damages and liabilities if you ever get in an accident. 

Owner’s Manual & Maintenance Schedule

You might not think of your car’s owners manual as a car maintenance and ownership record. We consider it a part of the package that would make up your car records because it’s useful in maintaining your car. Sticking to this vehicle maintenance schedule is one of the best ways to make sure your insurance company doesn’t deny your claims due to neglect.

Service Records

Speaking of neglect, your car’s service records will verify that you followed the maintenance required by the manufacturer. Automakers and insurance companies can deny coverage if any auto problems arise due to the owner not taking proper care of or bluntly abusing their vehicle. If you take your car into your local auto shop and the mechanics there tell you no work is needed, one thing we recommend is to have them sign a note stating no work was needed and keeping the note with your service records.   

Purchase Receipts

Lastly, purchase receipts are an excellent addition to your vehicle maintenance and ownership records. This is especially important if you're the kind of person who likes to perform their own car service. Keeping you wn handwritten list sometimes isn’t enough, so keeping the official receipt of what you purchased for the work - and marking down the odometer reading at the time  -  can help you.

All of these papers are important to monitoring the health of your vehicle. If you haven’t been keeping up with these records, take this as your time to start. Don’t worry, the friendly auto technicians at Metro Motor are here to help.