Lost service book or service record: how to rebuild the history

13.10.2026

The service book (also called the service record) is gone – lost in a move, never handed over by the previous owner, or left in the glovebox of a car you sold. That is annoying, because when you sell and when you claim a warranty the proof of maintenance is what counts. The good news: most of the history can usually be rebuilt. ⚠️ Important: the TCS calls a complete service book an important trump card for trade-ins and resale – without proof you are missing that argument (TCS). Here is how to proceed, step by step.

🔍 Step 1: is the book already digital?

More than a dozen brands have replaced the printed book with a digital service book. The entries then sit with the manufacturer, and you can request an extract at any time (TCS).

📱 Digital service books by brand

💡 Tip for independent garages: in Switzerland, independent garages can look up the digital service books of many brands via the TecRMI Service Book from Hostettler Autotechnik. The system covers 23 brands; one lookup costs the garage CHF 5.50 plus VAT (Autotechnik).

📋 Step 2: order a duplicate from the dealership

If your brand still keeps a printed book, order an official duplicate from the brand dealership.

💰 Cost and process

⚠️ Important: a simple copy of the old book has no value – it has to be an official duplicate from the brand!

🧾 Step 3: gather the invoices

Every garage invoice states the date, the work done and usually the mileage. That makes it proof of a service – even without a stamp.

📍 Where to find invoices

Before you call anyone, go through your paperwork. You need everything that proves date, mileage and garage:

💡 Tip: sort everything chronologically in one folder (digital or paper). Per entry: date, mileage, garage, work done.

💡 Tip: many garages keep invoices for 10 years or longer in their workshop software and can print copies or send them by email.

📄 Step 4: obtain the MFK inspection reports

The MFK inspection reports record the odometer reading. Together with the invoices they create a complete mileage history.

📋 How to get inspection reports

💡 Important: information beyond the vehicle registration document generally has to be requested in writing from the office and is charged for.

🚗 Step 5: when nothing can be found

If the history cannot be rebuilt, what remains is an independent proof of the vehicle’s condition. The four steps above (sorting paperwork, contacting garages, recreating the book) have already taken you this far; now it is about finding a solid substitute.

📌 Swiss peculiarities

⚠️ Important: in Switzerland there is no central office that issues a new service book:

• Road traffic office: keeps no maintenance history
• Manufacturer: only stores the official brand workshop entries (if any)
• Independent garages: keep their records locally in their software (usually 5–10 years)

💡 Tip: every Swiss garage keeps a customer file – with your chassis number or VIN you can request a copy of the service history. At brand workshops (BMW ASE, VW digital service book, etc.) this is often immediate as a printout; at independent garages allow 1–3 days.

🔍 Options for proof

⚠️ Important: a check does not replace the service book, but it gives a buyer something solid to hold on to.

✅ Checklist: rebuilding the history

📌 Phase 1: immediate measures

• Check digital books (brand app, online portal, TecRMI via the garage)
• Search all your documents (folder, emails, cloud)
• Contact the brand dealership for a duplicate (cost: about CHF 30)

📌 Phase 2: gather the invoices

• List every garage that has serviced the car
• Call each garage and ask for invoice copies
• Contact the previous owner (if bought used)

📌 Phase 3: official documents

• Obtain the MFK inspection reports for all available years
• Check the vehicle registration document for entries
• Check insurance policies for maintenance notes

📌 Phase 4: fallbacks

• Have a TCS used-car test done (CHF 150–200)
• Look at alternatives (DEKRA, GTÜ, garage check)

💡 Tips for selling without a service book

Even without a complete service book you can give the buyer something solid: a TCS used-car test, a fresh service, your invoices and the MFK reports. Which measure achieves what and what it costs is explained in the guide Selling a used car: how a full service book helps.

📱 Going digital from now on: Wartungsheft

From the day you notice the loss, start a digital service book in parallel – in the Wartungsheft app (wartungsheft.ch). Here is how:

💡 Tip: first enter the rebuilt entries, then from the next service record every maintenance job directly by photo. You can try Wartungsheft free for 30 days – the button below this article takes you to the sign-in.

⚠️ Important: MFK reports prove mileage and roadworthiness but say nothing about the technical condition of the engine (oil change, timing belt). A service book is therefore essential as a complement.

⚠️ Important: no gaps from now on!

So that you never lose your service book again:

• Scan or photograph every invoice immediately
• Set up a digital backup in the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox)
• Keep the service book in the same place (e.g. the glovebox)
• After every service, check the entry is there
• Note the mileage after every service (useful for later price negotiations)

📚 More information

• TCS: electronic service book
• TCS: the service book when selling
• SRF Espresso: lost service book

More in the guide Selling a used car: how a full service book helps.