Ensuring your car is roadworthy doesn’t have to be stressful. As long as you keep on top of your car’s MOT and servicing requirements you can help prolong its lifespan, increase its resale value and make sure it’s safe. You may be wondering how often should you service your car to ensure it’s in the best possible condition it could be. Read the guide below to find out more.
What is a car service?
A car service is not a legal requirement but it is highly recommended. A car service needs to be carried about by a professional mechanic or technician and it’s not a type of car maintenance you can perform at home. There are different levels of car servicing you can choose from, ranging from how in-depth you want the checks. A full service tends to be the most common type of service and usually costs around £210. During a car service, the technician will check things like your brakes, suspension, oil, exhaust and other key components of your vehicle. It will usually include the engine oil and engine filter being changed too.
How often should you service your car?
The general rule of thumb is to have a service performed on your vehicle every year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. You should service your car at the earliest opportunity and most modern cars may even provide a notification on the dashboard that a service is due soon. Keeping on top of your car’s servicing requirements is key to ensuring your vehicle is in the best possible condition it can be and helps to reduce the likelihood of a breakdown.
If you cover more than 10,000 – 12,000 miles per year, you may consider having an additional interim service between full services to check for any wear and tear.
Why should you service your car regularly?
Unlike an MOT, a car service is not a legal requirement but it is highly recommended. There are many benefits of having your car serviced regularly.
- A well-maintained vehicle is safer to drive.
- Increase the lifespan of your car.
- Saves fuel and improves fuel consumption.
- Increases the resale value when you part-exchange or sell your car.
- Can help to spot potential future problems early on.
- Avoid common car faults.
Types of car service:
As we’ve briefly mentioned above, there are different types of car services you can choose from. The most common service is a full service which can be performed every year or 12,000 miles. An interim service aims to maintain the vehicle in between services, usually every 6 months for high-mileage cars. A major service is the most in-depth service you can get and is recommended every 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.
How do you maintain your car between services?
To keep your car in good working condition during your services, there are many checks you can easily do at home.
- Top up your windscreen wash.
- Check all your bulbs including brake lights, indicators, headlights and rear lights.
- Keep your engine oil topped up.
- Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated.
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