Car Servicing Northampton
Your local affordable & friendly garage providing servicing and repairs.There is much confusion among some drivers about how often a car needs to be serviced. Is it based on time elapsed since its last service or mileage? Do cars that are less than three years old need servicing? If your car has just passed its MOT does this mean it doesn’t need a service?
Why regular servicing matters
Under no circumstances should you view an MOT test as an alternative to servicing your vehicle, as it is only a basic safety check. A full service is recommended every 12,000 miles or 12 months (whichever happens first). If you use your vehicle for city driving or it does higher than average mileage (more than 12,000 miles annually) it’s an idea to supplement the full service with an interim one every six months (or 6,000 miles).
It is a false economy, both in the long and short term, not to have your vehicle serviced regularly. A properly-maintained car is not only more fuel-efficient, but will be safer and more reliable as faults will come to light at an earlier stage and are less likely to result in a breakdown. It will also limit the amount of wear and tear on your car, which means it will hold its value when you come to sell it. Vehicles with a full service history typically attract more buyers and higher prices. If you own a prestige model, such as a BMW or Mercedes, a full manufacturer service history could add between £1,000 and £1,500 to a vehicle’s value.
What a service includes
There is no such thing as a standard service – it varies widely and depends on the make and model of the car. We are able to recommend a suitable servicing schedule based of your car and its past history.
As a general rule, the service should include the routine lubrication of all working parts, hinges and catches, an oil change, oil filter change, new spark plugs (petrol models), new fuel filter (diesel models). In addition, the garage should carry out safety checks on ball joints, tyres, steering, suspension, ensure all lights are in good working order, the fan belt tension, fluid levels (for example, clutch fluid) are correct and there are no leaks. The vehicle’s general safety should also be assessed, such as seat belts and wipers.
An interim service is much more basic and generally involves an oil and oil filter change, and new spark plugs or fuel filter.
New cars and warranties
In 2004 the Office of Fair Trading lifted the servicing restrictions that tied consumers into servicing by garages belonging to the manufacturer’s franchised dealer network, giving owners the freedom to choose where to have their vehicle serviced. However, the service must be carried out to the car manufacturer’s recommendations. Check the warranty as some extensions have conditions, for example there may be a clause stipulating a service at specific mileage intervals.
