Regular servicing is crucial for vehicle maintenance and for keeping your car in pristine condition. Having your car serviced can help prolong its lifespan, improve fuel economy and prevent the risk of unexpected breakdowns. Setyres’ article looks at why you should service your car.
Many motorists overlook the importance of a service as they believe it to be the same as an MOT but this is not the case.
An MOT test checks that your vehicle is roadworthy, and all vehicles over three years old must obtain an MOT certificate every year. However, there is no legal requirement for cars to undertake a service, but servicing your car regularly is important, as a service ensures that your vehicle’s mechanical components are performing effectively and could prevent it from a breakdown or an MOT test failure.
Servicing your car has many benefits that can prolong your vehicle’s lifespan by a few more years.
When your car is serviced, the servicing technician will check all vehicle parts that are vulnerable to wear and are at risk of deteriorating. This includes the engine, brakes, fluid levels and steering.
If the technician undertaking the service finds any worn or damaged components, they can repair and replace them before it is too late. This prevents any further damage from occurring on your car.
Regular car servicing can also improve your fuel efficiency. When the engine oil and other engine fluids are replaced, your engine can run efficiently, ultimately lowering your fuel consumption.
In addition, if you maintain the vehicle’s service history, you are more likely to command a higher sale value when you come to sell in the future.
Car servicing might seem expensive at first. However, a service will detect minor issues that can be fixed before they become serious, so a service can save you money in the long run.
For example, replacing a gearbox can cost between £500 and £5,000, depending on the car’s make and model. Instead of looking at servicing from a financial perspective, you should think of servicing as preserving your vehicle’s value and protecting yourself against hefty future repair bills.
You should ideally have a full car service every 12 months or 12,000 miles to maintain the health and condition of your vehicle. If you frequently use your vehicle for long journeys, you should book an interim service every 6 months, or every 6,000 miles.
We also offer a separate oil and filter service. Please check your vehicle handbook as some models require oil and filter checks more frequently, for instance, every 3,000 miles, so we recommend booking this additional service on top of your service, if your vehicle's manufacturer recommends it.
Not servicing your car can make it unsafe to drive over time. It means your vehicle may run low on oil or coolant, leading to a hefty repair bill or breakdown. Also, if your brakes are faulty, your car may be unable to slow down in an emergency. Having a car service rectifies any minor issues before they develop into serious faults over time.
Maintain the health of your vehicle by booking a service at your local Setyres branch situated across the South of England today.