Why is it important to service my car?
Usually, your car is required to be serviced at certain mileage intervals or time spans. This criterion is set by the manufacturer. Whilst servicing your car isn’t technically a legal requirement, there are several reasons why getting your car serviced regularly is vitally important.
Maintaining the value
Should you choose to sell your car in years to come, evidence of regular and reputable servicing (in other words, a full service history), is likely to attract more potential buyers and a higher sale price.
Maintaining the warranty
You may be required to have your car serviced at regular intervals to retain the vehicle warranty. However, do note that you are not required to have your vehicle serviced by the dealer or garage you purchased it from, but you should select a VAT registered garage and insist on the use of OE (Original Equipment) quality parts.
Safety
As part of your service, a skilled technician should carry out essential checks to ensure your vehicle remains safe and road-worthy. Any damaged or worn components could hugely impact your vehicle’s safety and performance, increasing the likelihood of an accident or other damage.
Longevity
Regular services are likely to improve the lifespan of your vehicle – when you take care of something, it usually lasts longer! Having your car serviced at regular intervals is likely to identify early issues which could become more expensive down the line. For example, replacing your air and oil filters ensure your engine is running smoothly and efficiently. Not doing so could result in your engine not being safe for use and requiring repair or replacement, which could be costly.
Future Insurance Claims
Should you make a claim on your car insurance following an accident or other damage, one of the things an insurance engineer could check is whether your vehicle is road-worthy. For example, if your tyres or brakes are in poor condition, it may take you longer to stop in an emergency. Your insurer may refuse your claim because you haven’t mitigated the risk of any damage in an accident. Regular servicing will identify any worn components, ensuring your vehicle is in tip-top condition, keeping you safe as the manufacturer intended.
There are multiple ways you can identify when your car needs a service:
- Dashboard warning signals
- Unusual sounds, such as squeaking, rattling, or ticking
- Vibrations and juddering
- Less effective braking
- Frequent stalling
At CARS, we offer multiple service types tailored to your individual needs. In some cases, you may even be able to wait with us whilst we fix your vehicle. If you want to get booked in, or just want to have a free health check on your vehicle, pop down to see us!
