If you own a vehicle, you should know the importance of monitoring the repairs done to your car. The best way to keep track of these is by using a vehicle maintenance log. In this document, you can note the repairs done, as well as, the scheduling of your vehicle’s required regular maintenance.


Vehicle Maintenance Logs












When do you need to maintain your vehicle?

Personal vehicles should be regularly serviced as part of their maintenance. Not all types of vehicles get the same types of service. For instance, the type of service for professional cars is a lot more than what’s given to personal vehicles. This means that a vehicle maintenance log proves useful for the following situations:

  • If you own a Taxi Operation service
    You need the car maintenance log as a standard feature on the routine checkups of your service vehicles.
  • If you want to keep track of mileage records and odometer readings
    You should record these readings along with other details in the log. This becomes especially significant when you decide to sell your vehicle. This is an important consideration that potential buyers want to find out when purchasing a used car.
  • If you’re part of a formula race car service team
    Making a comprehensive maintenance log ensures better chances of winning but it can also spell the difference between injury, life or death for the racer of the car.
  • If you’re a member of an emergency response unit
    This includes any operation that sends out vehicles for emergencies. The log makes sure that you don’t end up in an emergency yourself because of an issue with your vehicle.

There are many benefits to keeping this log. If you’re a professional, your vehicle requires regular maintenance and you should jot down every action on the log. This keeps you and everyone else in your company informed. There usually is a point-person responsible for keeping track of the maintenance of all vehicles.

There are two ways to keep this log. First. is the old-fashioned way where you use a notebook as a log. You could even download fancy pages for the log then print them. The second is by downloading a template online. You can print out as many pages, then bind these together to make your own notebook.

Car Maintenance Logs











Why do you need one?

The exponential advancement of technology makes it easier for you to monitor any type of information and a template for a vehicle maintenance log is one example. With this, you can monitor upcoming maintenance schedules. Here are the benefits of keeping this log:

  • You can use the log to make a record of the maintenance services provided for the maintenance of your vehicle.
  • The document makes it easier for you to identify the services that your vehicle has undergone.
  • The document makes it possible for you to create a schedule by predicting what kind of services your vehicle may need in the future.
  • Calculating the price of services becomes easier by just referring to the log instead of doing it manually.
  • For those who deal with vehicular maintenance, the auto maintenance log makes it easier to retrieve information when something goes wrong with your vehicle. As such, the log assists the maintenance personnel so that they can providing better service for you. As a consequence, you will feel satisfied and would most likely return again for the service with the same maintenance company.

How to create a vehicle maintenance log?

As a vehicle owner, you should already use your own maintenance log for your vehicle. You should also know how important it is to keep track of the work done on your vehicle. There are other maintenance logs that can also prove helpful like a truck maintenance log for professional truck drivers to keep track of their vehicles, for example.

If you prefer to use a template, you can download one online. You can also opt to make one for yourself. If you want to create a maintenance log spreadsheet, include these relevant components:

  • Battery record
  • Brakes
  • Lubrication
  • Mileage readings
  • Mirrors
  • Motor record
  • Oil filter record
  • Odometer readings
  • Suspension system
  • Tire pressure
  • Tires

As important is to include the records about the repairs done. This becomes especially important if your vehicle had undergone extensive maintenance at some point. One advantage of creating your own template is that you can add as much information as you want. Just make sure to include the basics so you don’t miss anything when you perform a check.

Auto Maintenance Logs











Tips for using the log

If you have an effective vehicle maintenance log, it can help you and your business to reduce critical down-time. This document also promotes the safety of your drivers, makes it easier to support insurance claims, and manage maintenance costs.

Here are the steps to consider for yourself and your business to implement an effective record-keeping procedure using a car maintenance log:

  • Only record essential information
    Your vehicle maintenance records will be a lot easier to navigate by including relevant vehicle details like the make and model of your car, the vehicle identification number, and insurance information.
    Make sure to document in detail any maintenance, repairs, and inspections. Identify the person who performed these, the date when they occurred, and the mileage readings.
    You may also include recommendations like checking the brakes or changing the air filters. In the event that your vehicle gets involved in an accident, take note of all the repair costs, replacement parts, and damages.
  • Schedule regular maintenance
    Making regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance inspections ensures that you gather information regularly. If you have several vehicles for your business, make a register for all those vehicles then create a maintenance schedule for each one.
    Including the inspection frequency and the person who performs the inspections. Also, make sure that the person assigned to conduct the inspections are duly notified.
  • Take photos for evidence
    The greatest evidence of your vehicle’s condition are photographs. You can use these as evidence to support required cost estimates and repair work. Moreover, photos can help support your insurance claims in the case of poor repairs or maintenance.
    You should reference your photo evidence to the specific vehicles. Also, include the time when you had the inspection performed.