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What is a car service?
A car service is a routine heath check that assesses everything from your engine’s fluid levels to general wear and tear. It keeps your car running safely and efficiently. And it can save you money in the long run, by nipping in the bud any problems that could develop.
Find a car service near you today. You can also read more in our handy car service checklist.
Why do I need a car service?
Regular servicing helps maintain your car and keep it running smoothly. For example, having the oil and filters changed can stop dirt and dust from getting into your engine and potentially causing major problems. If you don’t service your car, you’re more likely to see its performance deteriorate over time.
Regular servicing can also save you money in the long run, by spotting minor issues before they become a bigger problem.
How often should I service my car?
Most manufacturers recommend having a full car service once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. But this depends on your car and how you drive it.
You can check your logbook to see when your car was last serviced. Some cars also have a system that lets you know when a service is due. Even if this appears before 12 months or every 12,000 miles, you shouldn’t ignore it.
Service type | Service interval |
Regular maintenance | When your oil and filter need replacing |
Interim service | Every 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first |
Full service | Every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first |
Manufacturer service | As per your manufacturer’s service schedule – check your manual |
Is a car service the same as an MOT?
No, a car service is different to an MOT. An MOT is a mandatory test that makes sure your car meets legal requirements. A car service follows detailed guidelines from the manufacturer to keep your car in optimum condition. See below for more differences.
An MOT is an annual inspection that checks the safety and environmental impact of a vehicle. It’s a legal requirement for almost every vehicle on the UK’s roads. Read more in our MOT guide
A car service is designed to maintain the condition and performance of your car. It’s a more in-depth mechanical assessment than an MOT. But unlike an MOT, it’s not a legal requirement.
What’s included in a car service?
What’s included when you book a car service depends on which type you choose. All services include a visual check. For example, looking at the bodywork and wheels. They’ll also check things like your brakes and gearbox are working properly. If you have an electric or hybrid car, they’ll check your charging ports, cables and connections.
Full service
You should get a full service every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Your mechanic will check your car thoroughly to make sure it’s safe and working correctly. A full service should take around an hour and a half.
Before and after the service, your mechanic will run a general road test to detect if anything feels or sounds unusual and to make sure there aren’t any new problems.
– Battery and charging system check
– Cooling system check
– Engine oil and filter change
– Fuel filter check
– Air filter replacement
– Power steering fluid top-up
– Steering and suspension
– Wheels and tyres
– Brakes
– Front and rear lights
– Exhaust
– Mechanical parts
– Wipers
– Wiper fluid top up
– Horn
– Seatbelts
– Seatbelt mounts
Your mechanic will plug a diagnostic computer into your onboard engine management system. They'll then run a full engine management system check, looking for electrical issues and any problems flagged up by the electric control units on the engine, the power steering, transmission, sensors and more.
Interim service
If you had a service about six months ago, you should get an interim service. It includes the most important checks to make sure your car’s in good shape until the next full service. An interim service should take around an hour.
Before and after the service, your mechanic will run a general road test to detect if anything feels or sounds unusual and to make sure there aren’t any new problems.
– Battery check
– Cooling system check
– Engine oil and filter change
– Steering and suspension
– Wheels and tyres
– Brakes
– Front and rear lights
– Exhaust
– Mechanical parts
– Wipers
– Wiper fluid top up
– Horn
– Seatbelts
– Seatbelt mounts
Engine oil change
Essential maintenance to make your engine last longer. You should change your oil every 6,000 miles (depending on your vehicle).
Your mechanic will look at your engine for any leaks, then drain the old oil and refill with fresh oil. They’ll change your oil filter too. This can take up to 50 minutes.
How long does a car service take?
A car service usually takes 2 to 3 hours, as long as they don’t find any major issues. This varies from model to model. For example, bigger, more complex cars take longer to service. A full service will also take longer than an interim service, as it’s more comprehensive.
Depending on the garage, they could service your car while your wait. Or they may ask you to drop off your car in the morning and collect it later.
Can’t make it to the garage? Book a mobile mechanic today.
What to bring to a car service
Alloy wheel keys or locking nuts
We need this to remove your wheels, so we can check your steering and suspension systems.
An empty boot
If you have a spare tyre, our technicians will need to check it. So make sure you remove any personal items from the boot.
Your service book
We need to see when certain things were last replaced. For example, brake fluid and spark plugs. This information is in your service book.
