The maintenance book of a car

To drive safely , maintenance operations, emptying and replacement of damaged or worn parts on vehicles in circulation must be frequent. The maintenance book for a car is used to organize the various maintenance schedules according to recommendations recommended by the manufacturers, which vary from one car to another. The driver can thus have, within easy reach , a visibility on the general condition of the car and on the next revisions which must be carried out.

The maintenance book, up to date with all the repairs already carried out on the automobile since it was put into service, also makes it possible to have a form of general summary of the life of the vehicle . It is given to the owner when the new or used vehicle is purchased and is essential to ensure the longevity and reliability of the car. In addition, keeping the vehicle maintenance log up to date by following the recommendations it contains helps to have a reliable vehicle.

Depending on the vehicle model and the type of engine, the content and organization of the maintenance book are not the same . Each car owner then has a different maintenance book, adapted to the specific needs of each automobile.

Note: In addition to the maintenance book, for a vehicle sale through an automotive professional, the latter must complete a declaration of purchase of the vehicle .

What is a maintenance log for?

Having an up-to-date maintenance booklet of all the overhauls carried out can prove to be a real guarantee of the condition of the vehicle , keeping it up to date limits the risk of breakdown or premature wear and tear and reassures buyers on the issues. performance. In addition, the maintenance book meets a legal requirement. Indeed, article L.311-1 of the Highway Code provides that “ Vehicles must be built, marketed, operated, used, maintained and, where applicable, repaired so as to ensure the safety of all road users. the road . ”

Therefore, it has many uses, it is mainly used for:

Summarize all the repairs carried out : this allows you to know what no longer needs to be done and to guide the mechanic in the maintenance of the car.
Establish an overhaul schedule : the automaker has left advice in this booklet on the frequency and type of overhauls to perform. Certain replacements and checks are to be made according to the age and the kilometers traveled. It thus details with precision the various check points planned during the next revisions (oil change, topping up fluids, replacement of filters, checking of brakes, tires, lights, etc.)
Provide proof of maintenance interventions : in many disputes or when the manufacturer’s warranty is at stake, the maintenance book is invoked to justify the condition of the car and the identity of the professionals who worked on it.
Give a buyer an overview of the condition of the car : When an owner wishes to sell his property, potential buyers often ask for the maintenance book in order to get an idea of ​​the value of the automobile.
🔎 Zoom : Keeping your maintenance book up to date is a way of keeping a record of all the checks and replacements carried out, of not forgetting the deadlines and consequently of extending the life of the vehicle . Among the essential documents is the vehicle registration card. It is essential that the gray card is up to date. LegalPlace takes care of the procedures required to obtain your registration card .

The manufacturer’s warranty

Although the information did not become clear and known to all only in 2014, the maintenance book was nevertheless liberalized in 2002. Since then, revisions can be made freely with the automotive professionals of your choice , other than the brand. and without obligation of guaranteed revisions at the manufacturer. However, the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations must be followed to the letter and be up to date with all revisions.contained in the maintenance booklet to continue to benefit from the legal warranty and the manufacturer’s warranty. It is indeed imperative to be able to demonstrate, through the maintenance log, that no maintenance fault or negligence is the cause of a breakdown, and to be able to verify that the overhauls have been carried out correctly. .

Good to know: When selling a vehicle, an administrative status certificate is also compulsory .

What does the maintenance book contain?

The information provided in the maintenance book is precise and valuable , the manufacturer submits all his recommendations there while the mechanic records each operation carried out.

Since it is a question of making the state of the car, the book naturally contains:

A summary of all the manufacturer’s guarantees ;

The repairs recommended by the manufacturer (depending on the mileage, age and use of the car);
A list of all overhauls performed on the automobile;
Of tips and explanations on small repairs to oneself (tire change, for example) and cleaning the vehicle (carpets, seats, etc.).

When and how to fill out the maintenance book for a vehicle?

Having your vehicle serviced regularly, according to the deadlines noted in the maintenance book, is recommended to ensure its longevity. Depending on the model, the type of engine but also the number of kilometers on the odometer or the date of the vehicle’s first entry into service , revisions are made at different frequencies: every six months, every year or even see every two years in some cases. The frequency of a vehicle’s maintenance book also depends on the use made. Depending on whether the vehicle is used on short trips in the city center or, on the contrary, for longer trips, on roads and motorways.