How often should I service my car?

As car servicing in Barnsley isn’t legally required, it’s overlooked by lots of drivers. Many people aren’t sure how often they should service their car and if maintaining the service schedule is really required. Despite this, regular servicing is actually a vital part of car maintenance and should not be neglected. Not only can it help to keep your vehicle running smoothly and find problems early on before they become costly, but it can also protect its warranty. Read on to find out how often you should service your car and why it’s so important.

When should I get my car serviced?

Knowing when to get your car serviced can be difficult; however, most manufacturers recommend that cars over three years old should have a service either annually or every 12,000 miles (whichever comes first). Some cars have self-diagnostic systems, which advise the driver when a service is due. It’s advisable not to ignore these warnings, even if they occur before 12,000 miles or 12 months.

Why should I service my car?

There are so many reasons to get your car serviced. Most importantly, a car service provides essential checks on the main components of the vehicle, ensuring that they’re operating properly. If they’re not, replacement parts can then be installed. Usual checks include the car’s brakes and the suspension, as it’s vital that these parts don’t let you down whilst on the road.

Servicing picks up on problems quickly, reducing the chances of accidents occurring. It’s also important to note that if you are involved in an accident and servicing schedule isn’t up to date, your insurer may reduce the amount they’re willing to pay out for the car.

Avoid costly repairs

Servicing doesn’t just make your car safer – it can also help you to avoid costly repairs. When left unchecked, small issues can soon grow into big, expensive problems. Plus, if you know about any problems before they occur, you have time to consider how to approach them, including how you will finance any repairs.

Maintain your car’s value

Regular servicing carried out after every six or twelve thousand miles can help your car maintain its value. This will be important if you plan to your sell your car privately. Many people are looking to sell second-hand cars and the market is extremely competitive. So, if you want your vehicle to sell, it’s a good idea to have evidence that it’s been serviced regularly. A service history (ideally a full one) will improve your chances of attracting buyers and selling your car at a good price. It’s also important to have this information for warranty purposes.

Improve fuel efficiency

Many drivers don’t realise that regular servicing can save you money on fuel. Changing your car’s oil and air filters can help the engine to run more smoothly whilst also improving fuel efficiency. Failing to service your car also makes it more likely that a breakdown will occur. This can be inconvenient and costly, particularly if you’re forced to rely on public transport whilst your vehicle is repaired.

My car is new – does it still need servicing?

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that your new car doesn’t need servicing. You may think that nothing will go wrong, but that’s not always guaranteed. Servicing is an important aspect of a car’s maintenance, whatever its age. Plus, maintaining the service schedule is usually required under the manufacturer’s warranty, and failure to comply with this can void the warranty.

It’s also worth noting that because lots of new cars now have various new technologies fitted, servicing is essential for installing any software updates and keeping it functioning properly.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to have your car serviced at your main dealership. Many of the best garages providing car servicing in Barnsley can work with various makes and models, carrying out a wide range of work to keep your vehicle under warranty. Find a garage that can source official car parts from your car’s manufacturer. At Wyatt Auto Services, we work with various car brands, including Ford, Vauxhall, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz.

What is the difference between an interim and full service?

Many garages offer two types of car servicing in Barnsley – interim servicing and full servicing. Whilst it’s best to refer to your car’s handbook to help you decide which service to choose, there’s a general rule to follow.

• Full service is advised after 12 months or 12,000 miles.
• Interim service is advised after six months or 6,000 miles.

In other words, full services are mainly carried out on cars that are used for longer journeys, whereas interim services are best for those that mainly do short journeys.

Interim service

An interim service generally involves checking and changing the engine oil, changing the oil filter, and topping up the screen wash and coolant levels. For a more detailed breakdown of what is included in this 28-point service, it’s best to contact your garage. They will be able to let you know exactly what is and isn’t involved.

Full service

A full service includes everything carried out in an interim service, as well as extras such as stripping and cleaning brakes, checking tyre pressures, and adjusting the handbrake. This is a 50-point service and is a more comprehensive check of your car’s health. Once the checks have been performed, the service book will be stamped, and you can then use this to demonstrate your car’s service history.

There are many consequences to failing to get your car serviced, from expensive repairs to breakdowns and voiding its warranty. So, if your car is due a service, why not book it into Wyatt Auto Services today? We provide interim and full car servicing in Barnsley at highly competitive prices. Our qualified and experienced mechanics can service your vehicle and carry out any required repairs to the highest possible standards. We’re happy to provide expert advice on your car servicing needs – just get in touch with our friendly team on 01226 979 087