Like any machine, your car will eventually need to be serviced. But, what exactly is a service, is it illegal not to get your car serviced, and how long can you go without getting a service?
In this short article, we’ll answer all these questions and more, to help you gain a little more understanding of the importance of getting your car serviced and what actually happens when you do.
What is servicing on a car?
To understand what servicing on a car is, think of your car as a collection of different components that need to work together, to get you from A to B in the style you’re used to. Think fuel systems, electrical systems, suspension and brakes etc.
Servicing on a car is ensuring that all these parts and others are correctly adjusted or calibrated according to the manufacturer’s schedule and that they aren’t about to malfunction, cause safety issues, or affect other parts.
How often should you service your car?
The average recommended time between services is one year or 12000 miles, whichever comes first. However, every car is different, and some manufacturers recommend an interim service to replace or inspect certain components.
If you are in doubt about when to get your car serviced, check the vehicle’s handbook for guidance, or speak to your local garage, who may be able to offer a diagnostics test to check your cars overall condition and to find out whether a service is due.
What is an interim service?
An interim service is a service between your car’s full or main service. Although not a legal requirement like an MOT test, we would recommend all cars (especially if you exceed the average 12,000 miles per year) have an interim service in the interest of safety, and to help prevent breakdowns.
An interim service will usually check things such as:
- Tyres
- Steering
- Oil and filters
- Bodywork
- Brakes
- Steering
- General safety
What level of service does my car need?
The level of service you choose for your car depends on the garage you use. At Quality Car Service, we offer 3 service levels, Interim, Full and Performance, all of which are based on a fixed price, including VAT, and come with an 18-month guarantee on all parts and labour.
If it’s been a year since your last full service or your car’s driven 12000 miles or more, we’d suggest you opt for a Full Service at the very least, which will cover your cars main components, including brakes, steering, oil filters and fluid levels etc, and ensure your vehicle is safe.
If however, you’d like something a little more thorough, our recommended service level would be a Performance Service. This service level goes deeper into the workings of your car and also includes servicing the fuel system and air conditioning system, as well as balancing the front wheels.
Is it illegal to not service your car?
No, servicing your car isn’t a legal requirement, and neither is it something you have to do to validate your insurance. But, at Quality Car Service, we’d recommend the servicing of your car should be taken just as seriously as the legally required MOT test.
How long can you go without servicing your car?
How long you go without servicing your car depends on three main factors:
1- Your car’s manufacturer – Cars need to be serviced, and manufacturers often insist on regular or scheduled servicing as part of the conditions of the warranty.
2- How often you drive – If you only drive your car twenty miles a month, the interval between services would be longer than if you drove a thousand miles a week. However, even if you barely use your car, parts still deteriorate, so it’s still recommended that you get it serviced at least once a year or every 12000 miles.
3- Can you afford it? – The longer you go without servicing your car, the more likely your car will breakdown or become unsafe, and ultimately require an expensive repair that could’ve been avoided had it been regularly serviced.
Book your service today
To get your car serviced at Quality Car Service, simply use our website booking form, email us or give us a call to speak to one of our team, who’ll be happy to get your car booked in.
