How often should I service my car?

So, you bought yourself a car. Congratulations! I hope this is exactly what you wanted, you are happy with your purchase and it will give you many miles of happy driving. To make sure that this is the case, you need to properly care for it, which means that you must maintain it according to the manufacturer's recommendations. 

If you don't, your warranty may be affected and your car won't run as smoothly as it should. Regular quality maintenance keeps your car in good condition and will save you money in the long run by avoiding costly breakdowns and repairs.

What is a car service?

A car service is a series of checks and adjustments performed by a mechanic that combine to ensure that your car is running as it should.

During service, the mechanic will check your brakes, steering, suspension, and other mechanical and electrical systems. If your vehicle has a gasoline or diesel engine, they will change certain fluids in the engine and transmission to remove all old and dirty substances and replace them with clean, fresh fluids. 

In addition, they may do other work, depending on what kind of car you have and whether you are doing temporary, basic or full service.

What are intermediate, core and full services?

These descriptions refer to the amount of work done on your vehicle. 

Temporary service

Temporary service usually includes draining and refilling the engine oil and replacing the oil filter with a new one to remove dirt that has accumulated over time. There will also be a visual inspection of some components. 

Basic service

During a major service, the mechanic will usually do a few more checks and change a couple more filters - your air and fuel filters are usually changed, and a filter can also be changed to help prevent nasty particles from entering the car through the ventilation system.

Full range of services

A full service will add even more items - exactly what will depend on the car, but in a gas car you can expect to change the spark plugs as well as drain the coolant, power steering fluid, transmission and/or brake fluid. and replaced. 

What service your car will need depends on its age and mileage, and often what type of service was performed in the previous year.

How often should the car be serviced?

Car manufacturers recommend when you should have your car serviced based on mileage or time, such as every 15,000 miles or 24 months. The time limit only applies if you have not reached the mileage limit.

This is about the time and mileage at which most cars will need maintenance, but it varies slightly from car to car. Some high performance cars may need service more frequently, while high mileage vehicles (often diesel powered) may have a "variable" service schedule, meaning they won't need to be serviced as often.

What is the difference between fixed and variable service schedule?

fixed service

Traditionally, every car has a fixed maintenance schedule set by its manufacturer and listed in the manual that came with the car. 

However, as cars have become more sophisticated, on-board electronics mean many can now automatically monitor fluid levels and usage and effectively decide for themselves when they need maintenance. This is called variable or "flexible" service. When service time approaches, you will receive an alert with a message on the dashboard reading "service due in 1000 miles".

Variable Service

Variable service is for drivers who drive over 10,000 miles a year and spend most of their time on the highways as it doesn't put as much strain on the car's engine as city driving. 

Depending on the model, new car buyers can choose between fixed and variable service schedules. If you are buying a used car, you should find out what kind it is. It is often possible to switch from one to the other simply by pressing the desired buttons or settings on the car's dashboard, but it's worth having it done at a service center when you're servicing your car, as the technicians will be able to check that it's been done correctly.

How can I find out the service schedule?

Your car should have a service book that will give you detailed information about your car's service schedule.

If you don't have your car's service book, you can always contact the manufacturer directly or check their website for details. If you know the year, model, and engine type of your car, you can easily find a service schedule for it.

What is a service book?

The service book is a small booklet that comes with a new car. It contains information about service requirements, as well as several pages that dealers or mechanics can put their stamp on and write the date and mileage on which each service was performed. If you're buying a used car, make sure the service book comes with it (usually kept in the glove compartment).

Do I need to follow my car's maintenance schedule?

In an ideal world, yes. The longer you leave it between services, the more likely it is that dirt or debris will build up in your vehicle's mechanical parts, and the less likely any potential problems will be found and nipped in the bud. 

Worse still, if your car's warranty period hasn't expired yet, the manufacturer can—in fact, almost certainly will— void the warranty if service isn't done on time. And this can result in you paying a large repair bill that you might not have had to do.

What happens if I miss a service?

It's not the end of the world. Your car is unlikely to break down immediately. However, it is recommended to order the service as soon as possible when you understand this. This way you can check and repair your car before it's too late. 

However, do not leave it until the next service. Not only are you adding wear and tear to your engine, but missed services in a car's service history can often affect its value.

What does service history mean?

The service history is a record of the service that has been performed on the vehicle. You may have heard the phrase "full service history" before. This means that all maintenance of the car was carried out on time, and there are documents confirming this. 

The service history is usually a series of stamps in the car's service book or a bunch of invoices from the workshops where the service was performed. 

Remember that a service history is only complete and complete if there is evidence that all of the manufacturer's scheduled services have been completed, not just some of them. So on any used car you plan to buy, check the date and mileage next to each make so you can make sure no service has been missed along the way.

What is the difference between service and maintenance?

The service maintains your car and keeps it in good condition. The MOT test is a legal requirement that verifies that your vehicle is roadworthy and must be completed every year after the vehicle is three years old. 

In other words, you are not legally required to perform maintenance, but you are required to have your vehicle serviced annually if you wish to continue driving it on the road. Many people get their car serviced and serviced at the same time because it means they only have to visit the garage once, rather than having two separate trips, saving both money and time.

How much does the service cost and how long does it take?

This will depend on the type of car and the type of service. Temporary service from your local mechanic can cost you as little as £90. However, a full service for a large complex car at a prestigious main dealer can set you back between £500 and £1000. You can usually expect to pay around £200 to maintain an average family hatchback.

Temporary maintenance on some vehicles can be completed in as little as an hour, but larger services performed on more complex vehicles may take longer. Some dealers and mechanics will perform maintenance while you wait, but most will recommend that you leave your car with them for the day. It's worth bearing in mind that if the mechanic notices any additional work that needs to be done during the inspection of the car, you may need to leave the car with them overnight or longer while parts are ordered and work is done. .

Is it possible to service the car during self-isolation?

Car services can continue to operate during the lockdown in England as long as they follow sanitization and social distancing guidelines.

At Kazoo Service Centers your health and safety is our top priority and we strictly Covid-19 measures on site to make sure we do our best to keep you safe.

Cazoo Service Centers offer a full range of services with a 3 month or 3000 mile warranty on any work we do. Request booking, simply select the service center closest to you and enter your vehicle's registration number.