VIN
HAUS
GUIDE

Creating an Account

Head to vinhaus.co.uk/login to get started. Account creation is instant: no email verification step is required to begin using the platform.

1. 1Visit vinhaus.co.uk/login and click Create an account.
2. 2Enter your email address and choose a secure password.
3. 3Read and accept the Terms of Service by checking the confirmation box.
4. 4Click Sign Up. You will be taken directly to your garage: no need to verify your email first.

Logging In & Password Reset

Return to vinhaus.co.uk/login and enter your email and password to access your account at any time.

If you have forgotten your password:

1. 1On the login page, click Forgot your password?
2. 2Enter the email address associated with your account and click Send Reset Link.
3. 3Check your inbox for a reset email and click the link inside. Links expire after a short period for security.
4. 4Choose a new password and confirm it, then click Reset Password.

Adding Your First Vehicle

Vin Haus supports cars, motorbikes, vans, campers and more. It also connects to the DVSA database, so entering a UK registration plate can automatically populate make, model, colour and current MOT status, saving you the hassle of manual entry.

1. 1From your Garage, click Add Vehicle (or the button).
2. 2Select the vehicle type: Car, Motorbike, Van, Camper or Other. For motorbikes, an additional Bike Style field appears (Sport, Naked, Adventure, Cruiser, Enduro, Scooter, Touring, Supermoto or Classic).
3. 3Enter the vehicle's UK registration plate in the lookup field and click Look Up. If found, make, model, colour and MOT data will pre-fill automatically.
4. 4Review the pre-filled details. Correct any fields if needed: for example, if you have changed the colour or the data is slightly off.
5. 5Add any additional details: mileage, nickname, VIN or frame number, and notes.
6. 6Click Save Vehicle. Your new vehicle card will appear in My Garage.

Vehicle Cards & Status Badges

Each vehicle is represented as a card showing its registration, make and model, cover photo (if set), and a row of colour-coded status badges for MOT, insurance and VED (road tax). These badges give you an instant health check without opening the vehicle.

Cover Photos

Each vehicle card displays a banner image: your cover photo. Setting a great cover photo makes your garage feel personal and helps you quickly identify each vehicle at a glance.

1. 1Open the vehicle by clicking its card in My Garage.
2. 2Go to the Photos tab on the vehicle dashboard.
3. 3Upload a photo using the upload button.
4. 4Hover over any uploaded photo and click Set as Banner. The photo will become the cover image on your garage card and at the top of the vehicle dashboard.

Navigating Between Vehicles

Click any vehicle card in My Garage to open that vehicle's dashboard. To switch between vehicles without returning to the garage, use the vehicle switcher in the sidebar or top navigation within the vehicle view. Clicking the My Garage link in the sidebar will always return you to the overview.

Stats Strip

At the top of every vehicle dashboard sits the stats strip: a scannable row of key facts about the vehicle:

• Registration: the vehicle's number plate
• Make & Model: manufacturer and model name
• Year: year of manufacture or registration
• Colour: as recorded (can be edited if changed)
• Mileage: current recorded mileage, updated from the Mileage Log
• MOT status: days remaining or expired, pulled from DVSA
• Insurance status: days remaining based on your set renewal date
• VED status: road tax expiry status

MOT History

The MOT history section pulls your vehicle's complete test record directly from the DVSA database using the registration plate. Every past MOT, including passes, failures and advisories, is listed in reverse chronological order.

• Click any MOT entry to expand it and view the full list of advisories, failures and test mileage for that test.
• Advisories are items flagged as minor concerns but not severe enough to fail: useful to track over time to spot developing faults.
• The data refreshes periodically from DVSA. If you have just had a test and it is not showing, give it 24–48 hours to propagate.

Photo Gallery

The Photos tab on your vehicle dashboard lets you build a personal visual record of the car, from when you first bought it to completed build stages, accident damage, repairs and more.

1. 1Click the Photos tab on the vehicle dashboard.
2. 2Click Upload Photo and select one or more image files from your device.
3. 3Photos appear in the gallery grid once uploaded.
4. 4To set a photo as the vehicle's cover image, hover over it and click Set as Banner.

QR Code

Every vehicle can have a unique QR code that links to a public-facing history page showing service records, MOT data, fitted mods, and mileage: without exposing any of your personal account details. Full details in Section 17.

• Click Generate QR Code on the vehicle dashboard to create one.
• Use Download QR to save the image for printing or digital sharing.
• Click View Public Page to preview exactly what a visitor will see when they scan your code.
• Use Regenerate to issue a fresh QR code: this invalidates the old one permanently.
• An ⓘ info tooltip is shown in both the "has QR code" state and the "No QR Code Yet" state, providing contextual information about what the QR code does.

For Sale Toggle

Enable the For Sale toggle on the vehicle dashboard to mark the vehicle as available. When active, the public QR history page will display a "For Sale" banner, making it clear to anyone scanning the QR code that the vehicle is on the market. Toggle it off at any point to remove the listing status.

Logging a Service Record

1. 1From the vehicle dashboard, click the Service History tab.
2. 2Click Add Service Record.
3. 3Enter the date of the service.
4. 4Enter the mileage at the time of the service: this helps track service intervals accurately.
5. 5Add the garage or mechanic name (or your own name if you did the work).
6. 6Enter the total cost of the service.
7. 7Add any notes: what was done, parts used, anything notable.
8. 8Optionally attach documents: drag and drop or browse for invoices, receipts, or inspection sheets (PDF or image).
9. 9Click Save. The record appears in the timeline, sorted by date.

Major Items

Significant jobs that represent major wear items or notable work deserve their own section. The Major Items area is dedicated to logging big jobs separately from routine services so they are always easy to find.

Common major items include:

• Cambelt / Timing Chain: critical to log date and mileage
• Clutch: replacement date and parts used
• Brakes: discs, pads, callipers
• Battery: replacement date and spec
• Suspension components: bushes, dampers, springs
• Gearbox & differential work

How Records Are Ordered

All service records are displayed in reverse chronological order (most recent first). This means the latest service is always at the top, making it quick to check when the car was last seen and what was done. You can scroll back through time to review the full history.

Setting Expiry Dates

For alerts to work, you need to enter the relevant expiry dates against the vehicle. These are found in the vehicle's settings or dashboard:

1. 1Open the vehicle from My Garage.
2. 2Go to Vehicle Settings or the Reminders section of the dashboard.
3. 3Enter your MOT expiry date. (This may already be populated from the DVSA lookup: verify it is correct.)
4. 4Enter your insurance renewal date: the date your current policy expires.
5. 5Enter your VED (road tax) expiry date: found on your V5C or DVLA reminder letter.
6. 6Save. The dates now feed into the status badges on your garage card and the alerts system.

Automated Email Alerts

Once expiry dates are set, Vin Haus will automatically send reminder emails to your registered address ahead of each expiry. Alerts are sent at multiple intervals, typically 30 days, 14 days and 7 days before expiry, giving you plenty of notice to act.

Updating Dates After Renewal

After renewing your MOT, insurance or VED, update the date in Vin Haus straight away so the alert cycle resets correctly and your garage badges reflect the current status.

1. 1Open the vehicle and go to Vehicle Settings or the Reminders section.
2. 2Update the relevant expiry date to your new renewal date.
3. 3Save. Status badges will update immediately and the reminder schedule will reset.

Custom Reminders

Beyond MOT, insurance and VED, you can set custom reminders for anything vehicle-related: cambelt replacements, annual services, tyre checks, brake fluid changes, and more.

1. 1Open the vehicle and click Reminders in the sidebar.
2. 2Click Add Reminder.
3. 3Enter a label (e.g. "Cambelt Due", "Brake Fluid Change").
4. 4Set a due date.
5. 5Choose a repeat interval: once only, monthly, every 3 or 6 months, or yearly. Repeating reminders automatically advance to the next date when they fire.
6. 6Add optional notes and save.

MOT Watcher

MOT Watcher automatically monitors the DVSA database for your vehicle and notifies you the moment a new MOT result is posted: pass or fail. Useful if you have a vehicle in for an MOT and want to know the outcome without having to check manually.

1. 1Open the vehicle Dashboard.
2. 2Find the MOT Watcher toggle button next to the Refresh MOT button.
3. 3Click to turn it On: the bell icon will turn yellow when active.
4. 4Vin Haus checks the DVSA database daily. When a new result appears you will receive an email notification.

Adding a Build Log Entry

1. 1From the vehicle dashboard, navigate to the Build Log tab.
2. 2Click Add Entry.
3. 3Enter a clear title for the job (e.g. "Front coilover install", "Engine bay repaint").
4. 4Set the date the work was done (or started).
5. 5Write detailed notes: what was done, challenges encountered, parts used, torque specs, tips for next time.
6. 6Select a category from the list below.
7. 7Set the status of the job.
8. 8Log hours worked on this job.
9. 9Enter the cost of parts, labour or materials for this entry.
10. 10Attach up to 5 photos: before and after shots, detail photos, progress images.
11. 11Click Save.

Categories

Choose the most appropriate category for each entry to keep your log organised and filterable:

Entry Status

Each entry carries a status so you can track what is in the pipeline vs. what is done:

Build Log Summary Strip

At the top of the Build Log, a summary strip gives you a running total at a glance:

• Total Entries: how many build log records exist
• In Progress: count of jobs with status "In Progress"
• Planned: count of jobs with status "Planned"
• Total Hours: sum of all hours logged across entries
• Total Cost: cumulative cost of all build log entries

Editing and Deleting Entries

To edit an entry, click the Edit (pencil) icon on any build log card. Make your changes and save. To delete an entry, click the Delete (bin) icon: you will be prompted to confirm before the record is permanently removed.

Adding a Modification

1. 1Go to the Mods tab on the vehicle dashboard.
2. 2Click Add Mod.
3. 3Enter the mod name (e.g. "Cosworth Intercooler", "Eibach Pro Street-S coilovers").
4. 4Write a description: spec details, part numbers, why you chose it.
5. 5Set the status: Planned, Fitted or Removed.
6. 6Set a priority (useful for planning your build order).
7. 7Enter the estimated or actual cost.
8. 8Click Save.

Viewing Fitted vs. Planned Mods

The mods list can be filtered by status so you can view just your fitted modifications (the definitive spec of the car right now), just your planned wishlist, or everything together.

Adding a Part

1. 1Go to the Parts tab on the vehicle dashboard.
2. 2Click Add Part.
3. 3Enter the part name (descriptive and specific: e.g. "Front Brake Disc, Brembo, 330mm").
4. 4Enter the supplier: where you bought or intend to buy it from.
5. 5Add the part number if known: useful for reordering.
6. 6Set the status: Needed, Ordered, In Stock, or Fitted.
7. 7Enter the price.
8. 8Click Save.

Tracking Part Status

As parts move through their lifecycle, keep their status updated:

Budget Integration

Part costs automatically flow into the Budget Tracker. Parts with status Ordered appear as committed spend. Parts with status In Stock and Fitted are included in the total spend figure. See Section 09 for full details on how the budget is calculated.

How Totals Are Calculated

Using the Budget Overview

The budget overview is useful for a number of purposes:

• Justifying the total cost of ownership when selling
• Planning upcoming spend and deciding what to prioritise
• Keeping a project build on budget by tracking spend against targets
• Generating a full spend report via the Data Export feature (see Section 18)

Logging a Fault

1. 1Go to the Fault Log tab on the vehicle dashboard.
2. 2Click Add Fault.
3. 3Enter a clear description of the fault: be specific. Include when it happens, under what conditions, any codes or symptoms.
4. 4Set the date first observed.
5. 5Set a severity level.
6. 6Set the status: Open, Monitoring, or Resolved.
7. 7Click Save.

Fault Status Explained

Logging a Track Day

1. 1Go to the Track Days tab on the vehicle dashboard.
2. 2Click Add Track Day.
3. 3Enter the date and venue / circuit name (e.g. "Silverstone GP", "Brands Hatch Indy").
4. 4Select the session type: Track Day, Race, Sprint, Hillclimb or Test Day.
5. 5Log performance data: best lap time, number of laps, sessions, and miles covered.
6. 6Record conditions: weather, track temperature, dry or wet.
7. 7Add costs: entry fee and fuel used (litres or kWh for electric vehicles).
8. 8Give the session a rating out of 5 stars.
9. 9Note any issues on the day and setup notes for future reference.
10. 10Click Save.

Adding a Tyre Record

1. 1Go to the Tyres tab on the vehicle dashboard.
2. 2Click Add Tyre.
3. 3Select the axle: Front or Rear.
4. 4Enter the brand (e.g. Michelin, Bridgestone, Hankook).
5. 5Enter the tyre size in standard format (e.g. 225/45/R17).
6. 6Record the tread depth at time of fitting (in mm).
7. 7Enter the fit date.
8. 8Click Save.

Recording a Mileage Entry

1. 1Go to the Mileage tab on the vehicle dashboard.
2. 2Click Add Mileage Entry.
3. 3Enter the current odometer reading.
4. 4Set the date of the reading.
5. 5Add an optional note (e.g. "Pre-track day", "Annual service", "Just bought").
6. 6Click Save.

The mileage log displays your entries as a visual progression over time, making it easy to see usage patterns and periods of heavy or light use.

Uploading a Document

1. 1Go to the Documents tab on the vehicle dashboard.
2. 2Click Upload Document.
3. 3Select a file from your device: supported formats include PDF, JPG, PNG and other common image formats.
4. 4Select a category for the document.
5. 5Add an optional name or description to make it easy to identify later.
6. 6Click Upload. The document appears in the list.

Document Categories

Viewing and Downloading

Click any document in the list to view it in your browser. Use the Download button to save a local copy. Documents can also be deleted if they are no longer needed.

Adding a Research Note

1. 1Go to the Research tab on the vehicle dashboard.
2. 2Click Add Research Item.
3. 3Enter a title describing what you are researching (e.g. "Uprated turbo options", "Track brake pad comparison").
4. 4Add a URL if you want to link to a specific product page, forum thread or article.
5. 5Write your notes: what you found, pros and cons, community feedback.
6. 6Enter a cost estimate if applicable.
7. 7Click Save.

What the Projects Dashboard Shows

• Build Log summary: total entries, in-progress count, planned count, total hours and total cost
• Modifications overview: fitted count, planned count, estimated wishlist cost
• Parts summary: items needed, on order, in stock and fitted
• Research notes: items in your research list
• Budget: link through to the full Budget Tracker for this vehicle

Generating a QR Code

1. 1Open the vehicle dashboard.
2. 2Find the QR Code section and click Generate QR Code.
3. 3A unique QR code is created instantly and displayed on screen.
4. 4Click Download QR to save the image file for printing, sharing digitally or embedding in an advert.
5. 5Click View Public Page to open the public history page in a new tab and preview what others will see.

What the Public Page Shows

The public history page is carefully designed to share useful vehicle information without compromising your privacy. Here is what is visible to anyone who scans the QR code:

• Service history: all logged service records (dates, mileage, notes): no personal contact details
• MOT history: full DVSA test record including advisories and mileage at test
• Fitted modifications: mods with status "Fitted" only
• Mileage log: the mileage progression over time
• Not shown: your name, email, phone number, account details, planned mods, documents, or budget data

Regenerating a QR Code

You can regenerate the QR code for a vehicle at any time using the Regenerate button. When you do this, the old QR code is permanently invalidated: anyone scanning it will see an error. The new QR code links to the same public page with all the same data, but via a new unique URL.

Use Cases

• Selling the car: include the QR code in your Autotrader/Facebook listing. Buyers can independently verify the full history before they even call you.
• At the mechanics: share the QR so the garage can see your full service history and any known faults without you having to dig through paperwork.
• Track day scrutineering: hand scrutineers a QR that shows your car's relevant build history, mods and safety equipment records.
• Shows and meets: stick a printed QR code on your windscreen so other enthusiasts can explore your build story in detail.

Available Plans

• Free — 1 vehicle slot, full access to all features
• Standard (£7.99/year) — 25 vehicle slots, discounted vehicle data checks
• Pro (£18.99/year) — Unlimited vehicles, discounted vehicle data checks
• Lifetime (£44.99 one-off) — Unlimited vehicles forever, discounted vehicle data checks

Upgrading

1. 1Go to Account from the sidebar or footer.
2. 2Choose a plan: Standard, Pro, or Lifetime.
3. 3Complete payment via Stripe. Your vehicle slots are upgraded immediately.

If you hit your vehicle limit, you will see an Upgrade Plan prompt on the garage page.

Cancelling

1. 1Go to Account and click Cancel subscription.
2. 2Select a reason and optionally leave feedback.
3. 3Confirm the cancellation.

Your access continues until the end of your current billing period. After that, your account reverts to the free plan with 1 vehicle slot. Your data is always retained.

Contact Form

The quickest way to reach us is through the Support page, accessible from the sidebar or the footer on every page. Fill in a subject and message and we will get back to you within 1 business day.

Email

You can also email us directly at hello@vinhaus.co.uk.

Useful Links

• Terms of Service — including payment terms, cancellations, and refunds
• Privacy Policy — how we handle your data
• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

Setting a Username

Your username personalises your account and lets you log in with it instead of your email address.

1. 1After registering you will be prompted to choose a username. You can skip this and set it later.
2. 2To set or change your username at any time, go to Account Settings and find the Username section.
3. 3Enter a username: 3 to 20 characters, letters, numbers and underscores only.
4. 4Availability is checked live as you type. A green tick confirms it is free.
5. 5Save. You can now use your username or your email to sign in.

Changing Your Email Address

1. 1Go to Account Settings (accessible from the user menu or sidebar).
2. 2Click Change Email.
3. 3Enter your current password to confirm your identity.
4. 4Enter the new email address and confirm it.
5. 5Save. Your login email will be updated to the new address.

Changing Your Password

1. 1In Account Settings, click Change Password.
2. 2Enter your current password.
3. 3Enter a new password: use something strong and unique.
4. 4Confirm the new password and save.

Data Export

You can export all your vehicle data at any time in three different formats. Go to Account Settings and choose the export option that suits you.

1. 1HTML Report: a self-contained, printable report covering all vehicles, service history, build log entries, modifications, parts, faults, mileage records and more. Open it in any browser, save it or print it.
2. 2CSV Export: all your data in a spreadsheet-friendly format. Opens in Excel, Google Sheets or any CSV viewer. Ideal for keeping your own records or transferring data.
3. 3Download Photos: a ZIP file containing all photos and documents you have uploaded, organised by vehicle. Includes cover photos, build log images and documents.

Closing Your Account

If you wish to permanently delete your account and all associated data, this option is available in Account Settings. Account closure is irreversible: all vehicles, records, documents and photos are permanently deleted.

1. 1Export your data first: use the Data Export feature above to save a local copy of everything.
2. 2In Account Settings, scroll to the Close Account section.
3. 3Confirm your intention: you will be prompted to acknowledge that deletion is permanent.
4. 4Your account and all data will be permanently deleted.

What Are Vehicle Checks?

Vehicle checks query official databases to reveal a car's hidden history. Vin Haus offers two levels of check, both powered by industry-standard data sources:

• 1Basic Check — Stolen status (PNC), write-off history (MIAFTR), scrapped/exported status, keeper history, plate changes, colour changes, V5C history, and a vehicle image.
• 2Advanced Check — Everything in the Basic Check, plus outstanding finance records. Essential if you are buying a vehicle and want to confirm there is no money owed on it.

How to Run a Check

Checks can be purchased in two ways:

• 1From your vehicle dashboard: Open any vehicle in your garage and click "Run Check" to purchase a Basic or Advanced check. Results are saved permanently against the vehicle and can be viewed any time.
• 2Quick Check (no account required): Visit the Vin Haus homepage and enter a registration number. You can run a check without creating an account. Results are emailed to you and available via a unique report link.

Understanding the Results

Check results display a clear ALL CLEAR or ISSUES FOUND banner at the top. Each item is listed individually with a green tick or red flag:

• CLEAR — No issues found for this category.
• FLAGGED — An issue has been detected. Expand the section to see full details.

Flagged items include write-off category and insurer details (for MIAFTR records), finance agreement type and company (for finance checks), and plate/colour change history with dates.

Downloading a Report

On your vehicle dashboard, look for the Download button in the check report header. Clicking it opens a standalone, printable version of the report. Use your browser's Print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) and select Save as PDF to create a PDF copy.

Quick Check reports include a Print / PDF button in the navigation bar. The same browser print-to-PDF technique applies.

Email Reports

When a check completes, a branded email report is automatically sent to your registered email address (for in-garage checks) or the email you provided (for Quick Checks). This email includes the full status summary and a link back to the detailed report.

Getting Started as a Garage

Visit vinhaus.co.uk/garage-portal to register a garage account. You will need your business name and email address. Once registered, you can log in and start adding vehicles immediately.

• 1Click Register on the Garage Portal landing page.
• 2Enter your business name, email and password.
• 3Log in to access your garage dashboard.

Adding Vehicles

Add a vehicle by entering its registration number. Vin Haus automatically fetches DVLA data including make, model, year, colour, fuel type, engine size, MOT status, tax status, and more. You can refresh this data at any time using the Refresh DVLA button on the vehicle page.

Logging Work

The vehicle page is organised into tabs, matching the features available to vehicle owners:

• Overview — Full DVLA details, MOT & tax status with colour-coded indicators, and customer sharing.
• Services — Log service entries with date, mileage, description and cost.
• Major Items — Record major component replacements (clutch, timing belt, brakes) with next-due dates.
• Tyres — Track tyre fitments by position, brand, size and tread depth.
• Mileage — Log mileage readings to build a usage profile.
• Faults — Record diagnostic trouble codes and fault descriptions. Mark faults as resolved when fixed.
• Documents — Upload invoices, certificates, reports and warranty documents with optional expiry dates.

Sharing with Customers

From the vehicle Overview tab, enter a customer's email address and click Send. The customer receives a branded email containing the full service history logged by your garage. If the customer has a Vin Haus account, the vehicle is linked to their garage automatically. If not, they can create a free account to claim it.

Garage Settings

Access settings from the top navigation bar. Configure your:

• 1Business details — name, phone, address, postcode, website.
• 2Logo — upload your business logo (PNG, JPG or SVG). It appears on shared service records and emails.
• 3Email branding — choose a brand colour and add custom footer text for customer emails.
• 4Password — change your account password.

What Is Free?

Every account includes one free vehicle slot with full access to all features: service history, build log, MOT reminders, parts, tyres, mileage, fault log, documents, budget tracker, QR code, and public history page.

Vehicle Checks

Vehicle checks are one-off purchases, not subscriptions. Each check is permanently saved against the vehicle. Visit the Pricing page on the website for current prices. All prices include 20% UK VAT.

Subscriptions

For users with multiple vehicles, subscription plans unlock additional vehicle slots. Plans are billed monthly via Stripe and can be cancelled at any time from the Account page. See the Pricing page for plan details and pricing.

Accessing the Blog

Visit vinhaus.co.uk/blog to browse articles. Blog posts cover topics such as why keeping a full service history matters, what to check before buying a used car, and how to prepare a vehicle for sale. New articles are added regularly.

Is Vin Haus free?

Yes. Every account includes one free vehicle with full access to all features. You only pay if you want additional vehicle slots (via a subscription) or run a vehicle background check.

How do I add more vehicles?

Free accounts include one vehicle slot. To add more, upgrade to a paid subscription from the Account page. Plans start from a few pounds per month and unlock multiple vehicle slots.

What data does a vehicle check include?

A Basic Check covers stolen status, write-off history, scrapped/exported status, keeper history, plate changes, colour changes, and V5C history. An Advanced Check adds outstanding finance records.

Can my garage log services on my behalf?

Yes. If your garage uses the Vin Haus Garage Portal, they can log services, major items, tyre changes, faults and more directly against your vehicle. The garage shares the record with you via email, and you can claim the vehicle into your own garage with one click.

Is my data secure?

Yes. All data is stored securely with encryption at rest. Passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms. Email addresses are stored as one-way hashes for privacy. We do not share your data with third parties.

How do I transfer a vehicle to someone else?

Open the vehicle, go to Account Settings, and use the Transfer Vehicle option. Enter the new owner's email address. They will receive a link to claim the vehicle, including the full service history.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, at any time. Go to your Account page and click Manage Subscription. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. Your vehicles and data remain accessible on the free plan (limited to one vehicle).

How do I contact support?

Email hello@vinhaus.co.uk with your account email and a description of your issue. We aim to respond within 24 hours.

Keep the Mileage Log Updated

The mileage log is the backbone of accurate service interval tracking. Log the odometer reading every time you add a service record, carry out a major job, attend a track day, or fit new tyres. Over time, this builds a reliable picture of how the car is used: crucial for scheduling oil changes, belt replacements and other mileage-triggered maintenance.

Use the Build Log for Every Modification

Even small changes deserve a build log entry. Fitting a new air filter, changing the wheel nuts, painting a caliper: all of these contribute to the story of the car. A detailed build log is compelling for future owners, reassuring for buyers, and personally satisfying to look back on. The more thorough it is, the more valuable it becomes.

Generate a QR Code Before Selling

Before listing the vehicle for sale, generate a QR code and include it prominently in your advert description and photos. A verifiable, publicly accessible service history immediately differentiates your listing from others. Buyers who can scan and independently confirm the car's history are more confident: and less likely to negotiate aggressively on price.

Set Renewal Dates Immediately After Renewing

The moment you pass your MOT, renew your insurance or sort your road tax: open Vin Haus and update the relevant expiry date. Do not leave it for later. It takes under a minute and ensures the reminder cycle is always accurate. The worst time to discover your insurance has lapsed is when you need it.

Take Photos at Every Stage

Attach photos to build log entries, especially for before-and-after shots of modifications, bodywork repairs and engine bay work. The Photo Gallery on the vehicle dashboard is also a great place to document the car's evolution over time. Future you: or a future buyer: will appreciate the visual record enormously.

Upload Documents as You Receive Them

Every time you receive an invoice, MOT certificate, insurance schedule or any other important document, upload it to the Documents section straight away. A car with every invoice and certificate on record is a much more compelling proposition than one with a shoeboxful of paper that may or may not be complete.

Don't Ignore the Fault Log

When something is not quite right with the car: an unusual noise, a warning light that came on briefly, a slight pull under braking: log it in the Fault Log immediately, even if you set the status to Monitoring. Documenting faults as they appear, including the date and mileage, is important evidence if the issue develops further and needs professional diagnosis. Mechanics can see patterns; isolated notes help nobody.

Use the Budget Tracker Honestly

It is tempting to leave costs out of the budget tracker when a purchase feels indulgent. Do not. The budget tracker is most useful as an honest, complete record: not just the expensive jobs, but every fluid top-up, every set of wipers, every tyre pressure check you paid for. Over time a truthful budget tells you the real cost of owning that vehicle, which is invaluable for planning and decision-making.

Need Help?

If you have a question that is not covered in this guide, or if you need to request a vehicle limit increase, the team is available at hello@vinhaus.co.uk. Include your account email and as much detail as possible about what you need.