Which kinds of car records are the most important?

Well-kept car repair records can be instrumental in correctly diagnosing a vehicle problem the first time. Incomplete records can lead to redundant auto repairs that waste your time and money.

A vehicle with a well-documented repair service history also tells your mechanic that you value first-rate work at the recommended intervals. Keeping car repair records shows you have done your part to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. The records should contain the following:

• the date of the repair/action
• the mileage on the car
• the location where the repair took place
• the cost

Another important list to keep is a specifications record list. This lets you record all the information you need to buy the right parts for the model, make and year of your car. Keep a tool checklist so that you can tell what you already have and what you need assuming you do a lot of repairs yourself.

Types of Car Repair Records

Here are some common repairs you may have on your car:

1. Tune-Ups

Most cars require tune-ups approximately every 30,000 miles; some new cars don’t require tune-ups until 100,000 miles.

2. Oil Change

For maximum protection, most oil companies say to change the oil every 3,000 miles, or three to six months regardless of what type of driving you do. The oil filters should be adequate for the 3,000-mile oil change interval but may run out of service capacity long before a second oil change at 6,000 or 15,000 miles.

You should replace the oil filter every time the oil is changed. Remember that the oil filter filters out particulates that enter the oil and keeps them out of the engine.

3. Transmission Fluid Change

Keep track of the work done on the transmission. Recommended change interval for older vehicles is every 24,000 to 30,000 miles. For newer vehicles, see the owner’s manual.

4. Repair Records

Repairs, other than those already covered, should be recorded. You have such items as the muffler, carburetor, starter, battery, and so on.

5. Wheel/Tire Repair Records

Tire repairs, rotations, and replacements should be kept separately. Tire rotations should be done every 6,000 miles.

6. Gas Mileage Records

As your car ages you should keep track of the gas mileage. You can tell how much wear and tear the car has experienced. Your gas mileage may decline a bit. You can improve it by changing different oil types, rotating your wheels, and tune-ups.

7. Business Records

If you use your car for business then keep track of the repairs and keep expense receipts. You may be able to deduct these expenses. For starters, keep a notebook in the car and write down your odometer reading at the beginning and end of the year.

In between you should jot down your beginning and ending odometer reading for each business trip you take and for any other deductible driving you do, as well as the reason for the trip. Most office supply stores carry notebooks designed for this purpose in a size that’s convenient for glove-box storage.

If you prefer to use the actual cost method for calculating business-related auto expenses you must keep records of all car expenses incurred during the year. These expenses include:

• gas and oil
• cleaning and washing
• repairs and maintenance
• tires and supplies
• insurance
• vehicle loans interest
• motor club membership
• parking and garage rental
• tolls
• personal property taxes
• depreciation, if you own the vehicle, and lease payments if you lease the vehicle

Keeping car repair records systematically shows your engagement in your car’s performance. Those records can be invaluable if you have major repairs or when selling your car.