How to track car maintenance the smart way in 2025: what to record, tools you can use (from notebooks to apps), and why a dedicated car maintenance tracker like MyAutoLogmakes it easier to protect your car, your wallet and your future resale value.
Why tracking car maintenance matters more than ever
Modern cars are more reliable than ever, but they’re also more expensive to repair when things go wrong. A simple missed oil change or a forgotten timing belt can turn into a four-figure bill. On top of that, buyers are smarter: when it’s time to sell or trade in, they increasingly care about documented car maintenance history, not just your word.
A good car maintenance tracker helps you:
- Remember exactly what was done and when
- Catch upcoming services before they become expensive problems
- See how much your car really costs to run (fuel, repairs, maintenance)
- Prove to buyers that you actually looked after the car
Ways to track maintenance: notebooks, spreadsheets and apps
There’s no single “right” way to track car maintenance. Different people use different tools, and each has pros and cons. Let’s walk through the most common approaches.
1. Paper notebook or glovebox log
The old-school method: a notebook in the glovebox with dates, mileage and a short note about each service. It’s simple and doesn’t require any technology.
Pros:
- Cheap and easy
- Always accessible if it stays in the car
Cons:
- No reminders when things are due
- Easy to lose or forget to update
- No total cost overview or statistics
- Hard to share or back up
2. Spreadsheet car maintenance log (Excel, Google Sheets)
A lot of drivers use spreadsheets as a car maintenance log. Typically you track date, mileage, item, cost and notes. It’s more structured than paper, and you can add formulas for total cost.
Pros:
- Flexible and customizable
- Good for basic cost tracking
- Easy to share as a file or printout
Cons:
- No built-in reminders for upcoming services
- Not optimized for mobile use while you’re at the gas station or shop
- No photo support for receipts or invoices
- Becomes messy as you add multiple cars or more details
Spreadsheets are great for many things, but they were never designed to be a car maintenance tracker app.
3. Dedicated car maintenance tracker apps
A dedicated car maintenance tracker app is built from the ground up for vehicles. It understands concepts like services, mileage, reminders, fuel, documents and total cost of ownership.
Advantages over notebooks and spreadsheets:
- Reminders for oil changes, inspections, tires, brake fluid and more
- Multiple vehicles in one garage: daily driver, project car, motorcycle, work van
- Photo support for receipts, invoices and documents
- Cleaner, more trustworthy service history when you sell or trade in
This is exactly the problem MyAutoLog is designed to solve.
What to look for in a car maintenance tracker
Not all apps are created equal. When choosing a car maintenance tracker, look for features that actually make your life easier rather than just adding more complexity.
1. Clear service history for each vehicle
You should be able to open a car and immediately see:
- A timeline of past services and repairs
- Dates, mileage and cost for each entry
- Quick access to notes, photos and receipts
MyAutoLog shows this as a clean, scrollable service timeline, so every oil change, brake job or inspection is attached to that car’s history.
2. Smart reminders by time and mileage
A good tracker doesn’t just record the past – it protects the future. Look for:
- Reminders by date (e.g. every 12 months)
- Reminders by mileage (e.g. every 5,000 miles / 8,000 km)
- Support for both at the same time (whichever comes first)
MyAutoLog lets you configure intervals or use preset services (oil changes, filters, inspections, etc.) so you don’t have to calculate everything yourself.
3. Cost tracking and ownership insights
Cars cost more than just fuel. Over years of ownership, maintenance and repairs add up. A strong car maintenance tracker should help you answer questions like:
- “How much have I spent on this car in the last year?”
- “Did this project car turn into a money pit?”
- “How do fuel costs compare to repairs and upgrades?”
MyAutoLog includes cost breakdowns so you can see where your money actually goes: service, repairs, mods, fuel and more.
4. Support for documents, receipts and photos
A clean spreadsheet won’t show the invoice from your transmission rebuild. A proper app should let you:
- Attach photos of receipts and invoices
- Store registration, insurance and inspection documents
- Keep everything in one place instead of scattered emails and paper folders
MyAutoLog’s Documents section helps you keep track of these items, and many users use it to remind themselves about upcoming renewals.
5. Fuel & charging log (for real running costs)
If you want to know the true cost of your car, you need to consider fuel or charging, not just repairs. MyAutoLog lets you:
- Log each fuel-up or charging session
- Track odometer readings over time
- Combine this with service history for a full picture of ownership
How to set up a car maintenance tracker with MyAutoLog
Let’s walk through a simple setup using MyAutoLog as your car maintenance tracker app.
Step 1 – Add your vehicle
Start by adding your car’s basic details: make, model, year and current mileage. If you have multiple cars, you can add each one to your digital garage.
Step 2 – Log your recent services
Think back to the last few things you did:
- Most recent oil change
- Brake pads or brake fluid service
- Tire rotation or new tires
- Any major repairs (suspension, cooling, transmission, etc.)
Create entries in MyAutoLog with the date, mileage, cost and a short note like “Full synthetic oil + filter” or “Front pads and rotors”. If you still have receipts, snap a quick photo and attach it.
Step 3 – Add upcoming maintenance reminders
Next, set reminders for items you know will come up soon:
- Oil changes based on your driving pattern
- Inspection, MOT, or annual safety checks (depending on your country)
- Brake fluid, coolant or transmission fluid intervals
- Tire rotations or seasonal tire changes
You can use MyAutoLog’s predefined service presets or create your own custom reminders for modifications and special parts.
Step 4 – Log fuel or charging
Every time you fill up or charge:
- Add a fuel or charge entry with cost and odometer
- Over time, MyAutoLog helps you see trends and running costs
Step 5 – Use your service history when selling
When it’s time to sell or trade in the car, your service history becomes a powerful asset. With MyAutoLog you can:
- Show a clean, chronological service timeline on your phone
- Export a PDF service history (Pro feature) to email to buyers or print
- Prove that the car was maintained on time, not just “when you remembered”
Common questions about car maintenance trackers
Do I really need an app if the shop keeps records?
Dealerships and some independent shops keep their own service history, but that doesn’t always help you when:
- You move or switch shops
- You do some maintenance yourself
- You want a single view of everything, including fuel and mods
A dedicated car maintenance tracker keeps everything in one place, under your control.
How long does it take to set up?
Most MyAutoLog users can set up their first car in under 10 minutes: add the car, enter the last few services, and set the next reminders. After that, it’s just a habit of opening the app for 30 seconds whenever you do something to the car.
Is MyAutoLog available on iOS and Android?
MyAutoLog is currently available on iOS. An Android version is in development. You can join the Android waitlist on the homepage so we can notify you when it’s ready.
Start tracking your car’s maintenance today
Whether you’re maintaining a daily commuter, a cherished sports car or a work vehicle, a good car maintenance tracker gives you peace of mind. You know what was done, what’s coming next, and how much your car really costs to own.
MyAutoLog was built to be a simple, beautiful car maintenance app for real drivers – not fleet managers or spreadsheets. It helps you track:
- Services and repairs, with mileage, cost and notes
- Fuel and charging for running cost insights
- Documents like insurance, registration and inspection
- Upcoming maintenance with smart reminders
Ready to replace spreadsheets and glovebox notes with something better?