Knowledge base
Reading a service invoice — what belongs on it and why
After a service most people only look at the amount at the bottom. Yet the invoice is more than a bill. It is the proof that your car was serviced, and how. Below you read what belongs on a good service invoice and why that is worth money later.
The basics: who, when and which car
- Name and address of the garage, with VAT number and often the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) number.
- Invoice number and date.
- Your car: number plate and mileage at the time of the service.
- A description of the work carried out.
The mileage matters most. It lets you show later that a service was on time, and that the odometer is right.
Parts: with brand or number
A line saying “filters” says little. Better is each part on its own line, with brand or part number: oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, spark plugs. Then you, or a next garage, can check that the part belongs to your engine.
An equivalent part from another brand is no problem, as long as the quality matches the original. You can only see that too if the part is on the invoice.
Oil: type, specification and litres
The oil needs more than “engine oil”. Look for three things: the viscosity (for example 5W-30), the specification (an ACEA class or a manufacturer approval) and the number of litres.
The specification shows the right oil was used. That matters for the warranty and for engines with a particulate filter or longlife interval. You can compare the litres with your engine's capacity. Our service calculator shows the litres and the specification for your engine.
Labour and VAT
Labour should be listed separately from parts: as a fixed price per job or as hours times hourly rate. Below that come the amount excluding VAT, the VAT rate and VAT amount, and the amount including VAT.
That lets you check what was agreed. An example: with us, labour for an oil change is € 40 including VAT, and the oil and oil filter come on top. A brake fluid change is a fixed price of € 80, including labour and VAT.
Why it matters: warranty and resale
With a warranty claim you have to show that servicing followed the manufacturer's specifications. Not where, but how. An invoice with mileage, oil with specification and parts is the strongest proof of that.
The same goes for selling. A folder of complete invoices makes a car more trustworthy for the buyer. With us the work carried out is recorded, so you can prove it later.
Frequently asked questions
My invoice only says “small service”. Is that enough?
It is better than nothing, but ask the garage for a breakdown of the oil and the parts. Then you have stronger proof for warranty and resale.
Why are the litres of oil on the invoice?
So you can check that the quantity matches your engine's capacity. Too little and too much oil are both bad.
How long should I keep service invoices?
As long as you own the car, and pass them on when you sell. For a business car the seven-year tax retention period also applies.
What if the invoice is higher than agreed?
Ask for an explanation line by line. With us: if the final price differs by more than 10 % from the indication, we call you first.
See in advance which oil, litres and parts belong to your engine in the service calculator or read more about car servicing in Tilburg.