Car service- every car owner knows this, but they don't know how often the car should be serviced. For safety, performance and long-term savings, regular car servicing matters more than ever. But if you don't have enough time, but still want to keep your car always serviced, then knowing the frequency of car service is essential. Skipping and delaying car service can lead to unexpected errors, and it reduces resale value.
How often should cars be serviced is the question that most drivers ask. Too few services can damage the car, and too many services feel like spending too much than necessary. Don’t be confused, in this detailed guide, we will discuss the car servicing time and how to keep your car maintained with regular servicing. Stay connected with us.
How Car Service play an Important Role?
Servicing your car plays a most crucial role. Let's see how:
- To ensure brakes & lights are functioning properly
- Keep your engine in optimal condition
- To keep tyres smooth and perform
- A full service history of the car increases the car’s resale value
- Early detection of problems reduces expensive errors
How Frequently Should You Service Your Car?
Here are all the frequencies for car service:
Manufacturer’s Recommendations
Every car manufacturer provides a service schedule that is important to maintain the warranty. Its intervals are:
- Newer Cars: After every 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first)
- Older Cars: After every 6-12 months
Factors Affecting Service Frequency
Drivers' driving and condition also affect the car service frequency. It includes:
- Short trips
- Stop start driving
- Carrying heavy loads
- Harsh weather conditions
- High annual mileage
Type of Car Service
The car service type also tells the frequency:
Interim Service
- Requires every 6 months or 6,000 miles
- It includes basic safety checks and fluid levels.
Full Service
- It typically occurs after every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
- It covers an interim check plus filters, spark plugs, and a detailed inspection.
Major Service
- It requires 24,000 or so every 2 years.
- It includes a comprehensive inspection, including suspension, timing belts, and engine components.
What does Your Car get in Basic Car Service?
Under basic car service, your car gets:
- Replacement of engine oil and filter
- Tyres checking
- Inspection of Brakes
- Lights, Indicator, and horn checking
- Fluid Level
- Steering check
- Battery Check
- Air Filter Replacements
What Common Problems can you face by ignoring the Regular Service?
By ignoring regular car service, you can face multiple problems, including:
- Less Fuel Efficiency
- Higher Repair Cost
- Voided Manufacturer’s Warranty
- Lower Resale Value
- Increase engine wear
What are the Benefits of Regular Car Service?
Regular car service is a good habit that every vehicle should develop. No doubt, it seems like an added expense, but yes, it can give you and your car multiple benefits, such as:
Improve Safety on the Road: By regular servicing, you always get improved safety on the road. If there is any damage or error in brakes, lights, handles and all, it can be easily expected before driving. It directly reduces the risk of accidents and ensures your car is driven safely in all conditions.
Prevent Costly Repairs: With regular servicing, minor issues can also be detected and improved over time. This prevents you from costly repairs after the issues become major if ignored. It also helps you to avoid unexpected breakdowns and save money in the long run.
Increase Fuel Efficiency: if we compare two cars, one properly serviced and the other not. Only properly serviced cars run smoothly without any issues. That's why regular servicing is more beneficial. With clear engine oil, well-maintained filters and properly inflated tyres, it directly influences the better fuel economy.
Extends the Life of Your Car: A Routine checkup of any car keeps the essential components in good working condition, which directly extends the life of any car. It also means:
- Fewer major breakdowns
- Better long-term reliability
- Delayed need for vehicle replacement
Maintain Warranty Protection: For every newer vehicle, it is crucial to follow the manufacturer's service schedule because it helps you to protect your car's warranty. If you miss any service schedule, then you can lose your warranty, which is why regular servicing plays the most important role.
Final Thought
If you understand how often a car should be serviced, you can easily keep your car in good condition with the best resale value. In the UK, the general car service rule is after every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Choose only whichever comes first. In this detailed guide, we have successfully covered all the types of services and other major things that every car owner should know.
FAQ about How Often Cars Should be Serviced
Q. How can I know that my car needs servicing?
Answer: Your car starts showing some signs when it needs service, such as:
- Dashboard service lights
- Unusual noise
- Reduce fuel efficiency
- Difficult in starting
- Poor baking performance
- Vibration while driving
Q. Do cars still need servicing if we do not use them?
Answer: Even if the car is never used. It still needs car servicing at least once a year. Multiple components, such as engine oil, rake fluids and coolant, deteriorate over time, even if the car is not used. That's why your car still requires servicing.
Q. How often do old cars need servicing?
Answer: Compared to newer ones, Older cars require service after every 6 months or 6,000 miles due to vehicle age.
Q. Do electric cars also need regular servicing?
Answer: Yes, Electric cars have fewer moving parts, but they still require regular servicing to inspect electrical issues in the vehicle.
Q. What if my car is working well? Do we still need service?
Answer: Your car appears to be running smoothly, but it can still carry inner errors and inspecting them on time is more important than ever. So, if your car is working well, you still need regular service.
