What is a car service, and why is it important?
A car service is a really important part of your yearly car maintenance plan. The service checks all elements of your vehicle, ensuring that every part is running as supposed to, without any issues. From general wear and tear items like tyres and brake pads to oils, engine performance and more. It is also used to spot any future issues that may arise. Catching an issue early could save you hundreds of pounds in repair costs!
According to MotoringResearch.com, 47% of drivers worry about having to cough up for unexpected repair bills, and this is stopping 24% of them from getting their cars serviced.
The DVLA has noted that these drivers are then left struggling to pass their MOT tests, with 5% of them having bills over £1,000! They also stated that 50% of all faults found on MOTs could be avoided by regular maintenance.
Remember that a single car can have around 30,000 different parts! Without proper care, there are a lot of things that go wrong.
1. Improve car life span and save on fuel
Two things that surely every driver wants to do! Quickly repairing arising issues before they become too disastrous will improve the overall life span of your car. Plus, having a well-performing engine will make the most of the fuel you are putting in. If your engine is having to strain itself to do its job, then you are going to see your fuel consumption rise.
2. A service isn’t the same as an MOT
Your MOT test ensures that your car meets legal safety requirements. The service, on the other hand, checks the health and condition of your car. We like to think of a service in the same context that your dentist will talk to you about flossing. Yes, it’s an extra step to take but it really does improve the overall health and functions.
3. It can help with your insurance policy
This isn’t well known but if you are unfortunate and have to write your car off and the car needs to be replaced, your insurance company will look at your most recent service history to work out your car’s most recent value.
4. Improve your car’s financial value
When it comes to the time to sell your car, the new buyers will be willing to give you more if the car has a full service history. This lets them know that the car has been regularly maintained and cared for.
5. You can’t do a service yourself
Most modern cars have computerised systems that require their official tools to connect to. Whilst you can still do some easy DIY car maintenance jobs yourself, when it comes to your annual service it’s best to go straight to a trusted garage.
6. When should I get my car serviced?
This depends on a few different elements.
- The make and model of your car
- The age of your car
- How many miles you have done
- What kind of driving you do (rural roads, motorways etc.)
Your car manual will be able to tell you when you should be getting a service. If you don’t have your manual, don’t worry. Call up our team and we can check to see when your service is due, and which level we would recommend for you.
7. Save £100’s on repair costs
When you come to your service, your technician will report on any items that may be an issue in future. For instance, they may notice that your timing belt may be due a replacement. This needs replacing every 5 years or 60,000 miles and a replacement costs around £300 depending on your vehicle. Whereas, a broken timing belt can result in catastrophic engine failure which could cost thousands!
How long does a car service take?
The time it takes to perform the service depends on which level you choose. A gold service will obviously take longer than a bronze service as the vehicle technician has more items to check.
Bronze Service: just under an hour
Silver Service: an hour and a half
Gold Service: two hours
Platinum Service: two and a half hours
Our team may notice an issue during your service which we will raise with you afterwards. We can provide a free no-obligation quote for you to view then it is up to you if we do the additional work. We will never perform a job without the customer’s consent first!
What is included in a car service?
When it comes to servicing your car, it can be pretty overwhelming. Different garages and dealerships have different plans and offerings so knowing which is best for you can be confusing.
All we need is your vehicle registration. The bigger your engine, the higher the price of your service as it will require more oil.
We hope this has helped you understand the importance of getting your car serviced. If you would like to get your service with us, you can book your service here or give our team a call.