Owning a car can be a complicated thing, especially if you’re a new driver. It might seem like there are hundreds of minor rules and conventions that need to be memorised – and the consequences of getting it wrong can be intimidating.
A car service is perhaps a good example of a source of confusion. They’re not a legal requirement in the same way as your annual MOT, but they are worthwhile for many drivers.
As far as convenience goes, there’s little difference between the MOT and the service. You can book your MOT online, and the same goes for your service. However, it’s important to bear in mind that the two things are very different, from both a legal and practical point of view.
What is a car service?
While it’s common to describe a car service as though it’s a single procedure, in practice it’s more like a series of them. The servicing engineer will run through a checklist of things to do to establish that the car is in good working order, and that it stands a good chance of staying that way. These checks might cover everything from the tread depth on your tyres to the screenwash in your resvoirs. Exactly what the total list of checks looks like, however, will depend on the type of service you’ve gone for.
Different types of car service
Car services tend to be sorted into one of three categories. There are interim services, full services, and major services.
The interim service is there for drivers who will be covering large distances over the course of a year. It tends to be quicker and less comprehensive than the others, but it will provide a car with essential checks that will keep it in good condition in the face of high stress.
The full and major services are more exhaustive, and designed to be performed less often. A full service tends to be the standard for most people, while a major service might be used to check components whose expected lifespan is more than two years. In practice, most drivers don’t bother with a major service – though the benefits might be substantial.
How often should you do it
It’s recommended that you get a full service booked in every year, or once every twelve thousand miles (whichever comes first). Interim services are worthwhile if you’re driving six thousand miles, but your full service isn’t going to come around until you’re closer to twelve. Most new drivers will not be putting in this many miles, but if you’re commuting long distances you might find that it’s worthwhile.
Different manufacturers will recommend a major service at specific intervals. As such, you might also see them called ‘manufacturer’ services. You don’t have to go back to your main dealer for the service, but for many it’s a convenient option.
