The importance of servicing your car
A car service is a routine check performed by a mechanic to verify that all your car parts and accessories are in working order. Taking your car in for a regular service isn’t the most glamorous side to owning a car. But we all know how worthwhile having your car serviced is.
Our cars are complex machines that we put through a lot — especially with the variable roads and ever-changing weather we enjoy in the UK! A routine service helps keep your motor ticking along efficiently, preventing problems and prolonging the lifespan of your vehicle.
Mechanics consider the condition of your vehicle and note if any car repairs are necessary to keep all systems in tip-top shape and avoid any costly breakdowns. These inspections are an investment, ensuring that your car is road-worthy and at full operational capacity.
What’s involved in car servicing?
As a car service isn’t a legal requirement (like an MOT is), every garage can tailor their services. Generally, though, they typically offer three types: interim service, full service, and major service. The level of checks and changes increases depending on the type of service you choose. Most car services will cover some of the following:
- Engine oil and filter change
- Lights, tyres, bodywork and exhaust checks
- Brakes and steering checks
- Suspension tests
- Car battery tests
- Brake fluid, washer fluid and coolant level checks
- Charging ports, cables and connection checks if you own a hybrid or electric car
When you compare car servicing prices, we’ll provide you with a clear list of what each garage offers for the price shown. This way, you’ll know exactly what service your vehicle will undergo before booking.
When should I book a car service?
Every car comes with a handbook from the manufacturer, which will tell you how often your vehicle needs a service. Generally, a vehicle will need a service every 12 months, or for every 12,000 miles driven, whichever comes first.
If your annual mileage is low to middling, a car service once a year will be plenty to keep your vehicle in tip-top condition. However, if you do a lot of driving, with your annual mileage going above 25,000 miles a year, an interim service as well might be a good option to keep things in check.
How much does a car service cost?
Car servicing quotes vary depending on your location, the model of the car serviced, engine size, and each garage’s labour rates. Car services tend to start in the region of the low hundreds and rise from there. The cost of servicing also depends on which type of service you choose, as the bigger the service, the more expensive it’ll be. You might pay around £100 for an interim service and £150+ for a full car service.
That’s why finding the cheapest car servicing quotes online is such a good idea and a good way to save money. Compare prices from chain and local car service garages and pick the right garage for you.
Why book your car service through Quote Goat?
Whether you’re organising your car servicing in advance or you need a last-minute MOT and service, running a car service comparison is easy with us.
Yes, a full car service can feel like a hefty payment once a year, but it doesn’t need to be a time-consuming or expensive option. You don’t have to compare garages by calling all the local options in your area to hunt down the best price. Quote Goat can potentially help you find cheap car service quotes at the click of a button.
What’s the difference between an interim, full and major service?
Interim Service – £
Interim Service – £ What’s included: Checks to lights, brakes, tyres, steering, suspension and fluid levels Can also include: – Engine oil change – oil filter change – drive belt inspection.
When to book: You should book an interim service for your vehicle every 6 months or 6,000 miles. Interim services are typically for cars with high annual mileage.
Full Service – ££
What’s included: Everything included in an interim service plus: – Air cleaner replacement – parking brake check – fuel filter replacement (diesel cars) – remove and rotate road wheels – alternator hose and vacuum hose inspection
When to book: You should book a full service every 12 months or 12,000 miles. This is the most common type of service for all vehicles with an average annual mileage.
Major Service – £££
What’s included: Everything included in a full service plus: – Odour and allergy filter replacement – spark plugs replacement – brake fluid change – battery testing – automatic transmission oil level check
When to book: After 24 months or 24,000 miles. Sometimes recommended if you haven’t had your car serviced in a while or you have an unusually high annual mileage.
How long does a car service take?
It completely depends on which level of service you choose, how busy the garage is, and the number of checks and changes they’re doing for you.
- An interim service takes about an hour and a half
- Generally, a full service with all the checks will take a good two to three hours, longer if you’re incorporating it with an MOT.
- A major service inspection may take around four hours or longer to complete.
Make sure to take a laptop or book with you, or make a plan to leave your car with the dealership while you go off elsewhere! Most garages are accommodating if you want to leave your car with them for the day while you go to work.
If the service uncovers any problems or additional work that needs to be done, that will also take longer to fix. For example, if they discover one of your tyres is badly cracked or balding, they might recommend a new tyre. If this is the case, the garage will call you to let you know what needs to be done and how much extra it will cost, and they will ask if you want them to complete this extra work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I view my full service history?
Your vehicle should include a service book in which dealerships and garages fill out information regarding the full services rendered. If the service book is missing, you can contact the garage that conducted the service for the relevant information. You’ll need to know and provide your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to receive the information.
What is a car service plan?
A car service plan is a fixed payment plan that covers the cost of a set number of services over a certain period of time. Each plan may vary depending on the provider and the fine print, so you should check what you’re signing up for before stepping into any agreements.
Why Choose Quote Goat?
Quote Goat are specialists in insurance. We provide customers with data that’s 100% impartial and always keep customer service at the forefront of everything we do. We’ve partnered with an efficient car servicing comparison platform that allows you to compare the prices of various local garages in one go.
Avoid expensive repair bills by performing routine vehicle checkups at a price that suits your budget. Contact us and compare car service prices with Quote Goat today.
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