Here’s a full list of what’s included in a service and how our service packages differ. Don’t be confused with different types of car service, different dealers and garages will call you packages with different names in an attempt to put their stamp on the service. There are essentially three levels of car service, the basic level, a mid-range option and a main service, each package containing everything that is in the previous package.
To make this easy to understand, we’ve developed a handy chart that explains it all. MOT’s and car service are two separate services that can be booked at the same time. The main differences between an ITV and a full service is that the ITV is required by law and the controls are designed according to the strict criteria of the DVSA. But, hands up, not everyone checks their tires before every highway ride.
If you want to check that your vehicle is performing optimally, you should book a car service as soon as possible. Although the ITV test certificate lasts 12 months, the ITV tester can only judge the condition of the vehicle on the day it was tested. A lot can happen to the condition of your car in a year, so you can’t rely on the MOT certificate to make sure the vehicle is safe. Regular checks and maintenance, such as tyre condition and pressure, charging oil and fluid levels and changing blown lights are essential to ensure you stay safe on the road. While regular service is highly recommended to keep your vehicle in good condition, unlike an ITV check, an annual service is not a legal requirement, nor is it a prerequisite for insuring your vehicle.
Car service is recommended annually or every 12,000 miles to maintain the condition and technical inspection of your vehicle. The service itself usually includes a more in-depth mechanical evaluation of your car compared to the ITV. You can evaluate everything from overall wear to fluids, brakes, engine and more. Each service is different depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
A basic car service is the entry-level service package that is also called preliminary service or bronze service. Typically, a basic car service is recommended every 6,000 miles or every 6 months. Usually, an oil change, an oil filter change and an inspection of the main components of the car are included in a basic car service. The garage with which you have chosen your job looks at the brake pads, discs and calipers, checks the wear of your tires, light and various other checks depending on the garage. Checks during a car service may include engine oil, oil filter, lights, tires, bodywork, exhausts, brakes, steering, fluid and coolant levels, suspension and 12V battery.
Everything included in a full service is in a large car service, plus even deeper checks, altered spark plugs, brake fluid, suspension and fuel filters. If you want to know what service a car should have been performed, you can use our vehicle verification, including the manufacturer’s service schedules. Please note that there is no central service history database, therefore we cannot provide you with current maintenance history of a car. If you know where the car is usually repaired, you can call the dealer or garage and ask them. An MOT is a legal requirement that provides for a technical inspection of the vehicle. While a service ensures that your car is safe for the road by checking and replacing wear parts and fluids.
Other replacements may include fuel filters, air filters and spark plugs to further improve the vehicle’s performance. Anyone with a vehicle older than 3 years is required by law to ensure that it meets these requirements to be on the road once every 12 months. That is why an MOT is an annual inspection of your vehicle that is required by law.
A car service is of many types, including a temporary car service, a large car service or a full car service. These services are determined on the basis of the number of kilometres your car has travelled or the length Car Servicing Reading of time you have spent between checks. You can also opt for many branded car services from independent garages or franchises. It all depends on the budget, the offers and of course the work of the car service centers.
Your vehicle may require additional work to pass your MOT, but the test itself does not include repairs or spare parts. The average hourly labour rate for a franchise dealer is £92, while for a self-employed garage it is £63. It’s worth comparing prices, but if your vehicle is under warranty, make sure only approved parts are used so as not to void your warranty. An MOT is a mandatory statutory inspection to ensure that your car is ready to drive; A service follows the detailed guidelines of your car manufacturer and is designed to keep your car in top condition.