Arranging for a car service, carried out at regular intervals by a garage mechanic, is an essential way to ensure your vehicle is performing as it should.
Our guide explains what a car service is and what checks the garage should include when you have a car service.
EASY AS HACK
You can help the mechanic identify problems at a car service by removing clutter from inside the vehicle, providing your car’s service history and giving details about any issues you’ve noticed – for example, steering wheel vibration.
At a glance
A car service can include checks on:
- Engine oil and oil filter
- Lights, tyres, bodywork and exhausts
- Brakes and steering
- Fluid and coolant levels
- Suspension
- Battery
what is a full service on a car?
A car service involves taking your car to a garage for a routine inspection by a mechanic, who will conduct tests to ensure your vehicle is working correctly. Experts recommend a full service every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
what's included in a car service?
What’s included in a car service depends on the garage you go to and the type of service you pay for, but the mechanic’s checks can consist of:
- Engine oil and oil filter
- lights, tyres, bodywork and exhausts
- Brakes and steering
- Fluid and coolant levels
- Suspension
- Battery.
If you have an electric or hybrid car, the mechanic will also check your charging port cables and connections.
what's included in a car service?
An MOT and a service are two different things, although drivers often choose to combine them in the same trip to the garage.
An MOT is a safety inspection to ensure roadworthiness and all cars over three years old must pass it each year. You can’t drive your car legally without a valid MOT.
A service, which isn’t required by law, is like a health check, which looks to see what parts are wearing out and which need replacing to keep your car running optimally.
Many people have their service and MOT done at the same time because the service can pick up potential faults and help make sure your car passes its MOT. Some service providers offer discounts[1] if you get both done in the same visit.
how often should you service your car
Typically, for petrol and diesel vehicles, manufacturers recommend a full service every 12,000 miles or every year, whichever comes first. For electric cars,[2] it can be two years or 18,000 miles. But check your car’s handbook to see what the manufacturer recommends.
Some newer cars will give you a warning on your dashboard to tell you that your service is due. If you have an older car, your handbook (or owner’s manual) will show you recommendations for service scheduling.
When buying a second-hand car, make sure you get its service history and note the date of the last service, so you can determine when the next service is due.
different types of car service
Not all aspects of a car need checking with the same frequency. So, different types of service[3] check fewer or more things.
interim service
An interim service[4] is every six months. It can be a good way of picking up potential faults before they become an issue. It’s typically aimed at high-mileage drivers who may need more than one service a year.
What’s included:
- A visual inspection of your vehicle
- Lights check
- Engine oil and oil filter changes
- Checks on some of your car’s fluid levels, such as washer fluid, brake fluid, anti-freeze and steering fluid.
- A visual inspection of tyres and suspension.
full service
This full service is the typical service for most cars and is due once a year or after 12,000 miles. It suits the driver doing average mileage.
What’s included:
- Everything in the interim service, but it goes further with around 50 checks, including more time spent under the bonnet and checking the brakes and other safety-related features.
- Aircon check
- Power steering fluid check
- Exhaust and fuel pipes check.
major service
This service includes all the checks of a full service, plus the replacement of certain items. Experts recommend a major car service every 24 months or 24,000 miles [5].
What’s included:
Everything in the full service, and
- Replacement of items like brake fluid, spark plugs, cabin filters and air filters.
manufacturer's service
Although manufacturers cannot require service at a dealership to uphold your warranty, some people still prefer this option if their car is still under warranty.
Owners of a prestige or higher spec model might also want to get it serviced using manufacturer-approved parts and maintenance methods.
This way of doing things usually means taking your car to the dealership that sold it to you. The mechanics there will specialise in this particular type of vehicle, but the service can be more expensive.
What’s included:
This will be similar to the interim or full service.
electric car service
Electric cars don’t have fuel systems, spark plugs or exhausts and are therefore potentially cheaper and easier to maintain. However, they still need regular servicing to keep them running optimally. Many manufacturers recommend their electric cars are serviced every 18,000 miles[6].
What’s included:
- Battery and charging system checks
- Brakes and brake fluid checks
- Checks of springs, dampers and tyres.
how much does a car service cost?
Getting a car service can cost between £160 and £390, with an average price of £275,[7] but the price depends on factors such as:
- Your vehicle
- The age of your car and what needs repairing or replacing
- Your location
- The garage
- The type of service required.
why is my car's service history important?
Keeping your service history up to date can help increase the value of your vehicle when you sell it because it shows the buyer that the owner has looked after the car.
It’s worth getting your service history book stamped after your car is serviced, but if you don’t have one, keep bills and receipts detailing any work undertaken. More modern vehicles will often have digital service records.
can i claim on my car insurance for repairs discovered in a car service?
What repairs you can claim on car insurance will depend on the type of policy you have. Still, issues discovered during a car service – which are often down to general wear and tear from everyday driving – aren’t usually covered by insurance.
does a car's service history impact car insurance?
A car’s service history will not usually have an impact on the cost of your car insurance premium.
Find out more about our Ageas car insurance.
FAQs
can i service my car myself?
If you’re wondering if you can service your car, the answer is yes. However, experts do not recommend this unless you know exactly what you are doing.
how long does a full car service take?
How long a full car service takes can vary depending on your vehicle’s specific requirements and where you get your vehicle serviced.
how important is a car's service history?
A car’s service history is essential because it demonstrates that the vehicle has been properly maintained.
what is a car service book?
A car service book records every service carried out on your vehicle.
is the cost of a car service covered by insurance?
The cost of a car service is not usually covered under insurance.
does car insurance cover mechanical problems discovered in a car service?
Car insurance typically does not cover mechanical problems discovered during a car service.
Learn how to prepare your car for MOT success.
Sources
[1] Why Book an MOT and Service At The Same Time
[2] EV maintenance, service and repairs guide
[3] How often should I service my car?
[4] What Service Do I Need For My Car
[5] Book a Major Service for Cars and Vans
