Mercedes-Benz is abandoning the traditional service record booklet in favour of centrally-held digital records.

It follows a similar move by Mazda when it launched the Mazda5 two years ago.

Mercedes claims the Digital Service Booklet (DSB) brings convenience and efficiency, as service data is electronically recorded by the franchised workshop to build a complete history.

A non-franchised workshop doing the service will have access to DSB under Block Exemption regulations, to record the service electronically, but will not be given access to customer records and service history.

Mercedes said only a workshop which inputs customer details may view these, under data protection laws.

Owners can request a print-out of their car’s service record from any franchised workshop. The DSB programme starts with new vehicle sales of E-Class and CLS-Class, and will be progressively rolled out to all new models.