How Often Should You Service Your Car?
Regular servicing is the cheapest way to keep your car reliable and avoid big repair bills. But how often is "regular", and what's the difference between all the service types? Here's the simple version.
A service and an MOT are not the same thing
This is the most common mix-up we hear. An MOT is a legal safety check that confirms your car meets minimum standards on the day. A service is preventative care — fresh oil and filters, plus a thorough check of wear-and-tear parts — to keep the car healthy and stop small problems becoming expensive ones. You need both.
The general rule
As a rule of thumb, service your car once a year, or every 10,000–12,000 miles — whichever comes first. If you do lots of short trips, heavy stop-start town driving, or high mileage, more frequent servicing is worth it.
Always check your handbook. Every manufacturer sets its own service schedule, and sticking to it is especially important if your car is still under warranty or on a finance/lease agreement.
Interim vs full service
Interim service — roughly every 6 months / 6,000 miles
A lighter, in-between check to keep things ticking over between full services. It typically includes an oil and oil-filter change plus inspection of key safety items — ideal for higher-mileage drivers.
Full service — roughly every 12 months / 12,000 miles
A comprehensive check covering everything in an interim service plus more filters, fluids and a longer list of inspection points. This is the one most drivers should have once a year.
There are also major services at longer intervals that include extra items like spark plugs and additional filters.
What's usually included in a service
- Engine oil and oil filter replacement
- Checks of air, fuel and pollen filters (replaced as needed)
- Topping up brake fluid, coolant, screen-wash and other fluids
- Inspection of brakes, tyres, steering and suspension
- Checking lights, wipers, battery and exhaust
- A general health check to flag anything that needs attention soon
Why regular servicing actually saves money
- Catches problems early — a £20 part spotted in time can prevent a £500 repair later.
- Better fuel economy — clean oil and filters help your engine run efficiently.
- Fewer breakdowns — and fewer nasty surprises at MOT time.
- Higher resale value — a full service history is one of the first things buyers look for.
Signs your car needs a service sooner
- Warning lights on the dashboard
- Strange noises, especially when braking
- Reduced performance or worse fuel economy
- It simply doesn't feel right — trust your instincts and get it checked
Due a service in Ashford?
Interim, full or major — we'll service your car properly and only recommend work it genuinely needs. Book online or call us on Feltham Road.