Guide to Car Servicing

Car services are a fundamental part of looking after your vehicle. A service will not only help your car run at its optimum, it will make your vehicle more efficient which could save you money and be safer to drive.

Car Service Categories

Most garages offer three types of car services including an oil change service, an interim service and a full service.

Oil Change Service

This should be carried out between services or before taking a long journey. Oil is vital to keep your engine running smoothly as it lubricates vital components. Here's what an oil service includes:

• Oil and oil filter change
• Tyre, battery, wiper and lights checks
• Top up of essential fluids such as brake fluid, windscreen washer fluid and power steering

An oil change service is not classed as a service so your car's book will not be stamped, this only happens after an interim or full service.

Interim Car Service

An interim car service should be carried out every 6 months or 6,000 miles. This will keep your car safe and roadworthy in-between full services.

Full Car Service

A full car service should be carried out every 12,000 miles or 12 months to keep your car maintained correctly. It is important to have a full service carried out as a trained mechanic could spot damage early and prevent further costs if something were to go wrong with your car. It is unlikely that you will be able to spot any potential problems yourself.

Take a look at the car service checklist below to see what is carried out during both an interim service and a full service. We have also created a guide on how to carry out a basic oil change service, with a few extra checks added in.

Vehicle history check, including customer comments and recommendations
Check for damage to trims, number plates, bodywork and mirrors etc
Checking of timing belt interval
ABS check including all interior warning lights and horn
Condition and operation of all seatbelts checked
Operational checks of interior and exterior lights and switches
Front and rear windscreen wipers and washers checks
Condition checked of the security of windscreen and rear view mirror
Fuel cap check
Air conditioning check
Top up power steering reservoir if needed
PAS and auxiliary and fan belts checks
Air filter check
Condition and security of battery checked
Clutch operation check
Handbrake operation and travel check
Gearbox oil/axel oil/transfer box oil (if applicable) checked and topped up
All under bonnet fluid levels checked and topped up
Brake fluid checked and topped up
Anti-freeze checked and topped up
Clutch fluid checked and topped up
Door hinges, catches and locks lubricated
Coolant system checked for leaks
Engine cooling fan checked
Operation of throttle checked and lubrication as required
Air filter replaced
Spark plugs replaced if needed (at extra cost)
Condition of HT leads checked
Under body inspection including checks for any corrosion
Engine oil replaced
Oil filter replaced
Condition and security of steering, suspension, mountings and gaitors checked
Exhaust system for security and leaks checked
Security of fuel lines, brake pipes, hoses and handbrake cables visually checked
Checks for signs of leakage from cylinders / callipers (if applicable)
Condition of distributor cap checked
Checks for engine and gearbox mounts for wear
Starter motor cranking operation and security tests
Visual inspections of radiator and coolant pipes/hoses for security and leaks
All wheel bearings checked for noise / free play
Condition of tyres checked including adjustment to tyre pressures (if needed)
Brake pads/shoes checked and recorded for condition & operation
Drums and discs checked and recorded for condition and operation
Remove wheels & check condition and operation of front and rear brakes
Wheels re-fitted (if needed) / set wheel nut torque
Final checks
Road test carried out
Exhaust emissions and idle speed checked
Service light re-set (most models)
Service book stamped