Explaining Why It Is Important To Schedule Regular Car Servicing

By Author: Lawson
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For some people, their car is their pride and joy and they spend hours cleaning, improving and maintaining it. For others, their car is just a means to get to work and as long as it works, they are happy. Whichever camp you fall into it is still vitally important that your car is maintained to a level that it is safe to be on the road. For vehicles over 3 years old in the UK, they must have an annual MOT test to ensure they are safe. Therefore, you may be wondering why you need a car service if you do get an annual MOT.

What is a car service?
A service checks the parts of the car that are subject to the most wear and tear. The purpose is to keep your car working at its optimum performance. A mechanic will check over 50 components during a full service including the state of the brakes, oil, filters, lights and more depending on the level of service. A good mechanic will also let you know if your tyres are becoming worn and due for a change.

Why your car needs a regular service

1 ...
... Safety
Although an annual MOT will pick up on all safety issues, a service will find and fix wear and tear on your car before it causes a bigger problem or breakdown. If you don’t carry out regular checks of the oil and water and state of the tyres yourself, your mechanic will in a service. Have you been ignoring warning lights on the dashboard? They really should be dealt with immediately, but your mechanic will investigate and fix these issues during a service.

2 Save Money
Yes, a service will cost you money but this reasonable fee is likely to be far less than the cost of a major repair bill. Therefore, regular servicing can save you money in the long term.

3 Improving Performance
A car that is looked after will perform better and a vehicle performing at its best is likely to cost you less in fuel.

4 New Car Warranty Requirements
If your car is fairly new and still under warranty, it is crucial that you adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule or the warranty cover could be deemed void.

5 Longevity
A car that has been maintained and looked after properly will last much longer with few problems. You will also be able to sell it for a higher price if it is in good condition with a complete service history.

How often does your car need a service
This will depend on the age of your car, the type of vehicle and the number of miles you drive. You should check the recommended service schedule in your car’s handbook. It may say something along the lines of a ‘full service every 2 years or 20000 miles, whichever comes first’.

If you aren’t sure your local garage will be able to advise what your car needs. In many cases, you can schedule your service at the same time as the MOT test.

We hope you now understand why it is beneficial to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and book your car in for a service.