A deep dive into the full car service

What does a full car service include?

It depends where you take your car to have it serviced as to exactly what you’ll get for your money, but rest assured, every full car service will include an abundance of checks, replacements, refills and adjustments.

The full service makes sure your car is in optimum health and prepared for another year of roadworthy use.

We’ve compiled this comprehensive list of what’s likely to be included in your annual car service checks.

Engine servicing

• Draining and refilling the engine oil and replacing the oil filter
• Replacing the air filter
• Replacing spark plugs where required
• Examining lines and seals for oil leaks
• Examining the radiator, hoses and the header tank for wear, corrosion and leaks
• Checking the antifreeze strength, the amount of engine coolant and topping up levels where required
• Check all drive belts and tensions
• Checking the fuel lines and petrol tank for signs of leaking
• Check the timing belt and consider the time since its previous replacement
• Examine the AdBlue levels on diesel engine cars

Brake servicing

• Check brake pads and disks for signs of wear and damage
• Check all brake pipes and hoses for corrosion and deterioration
• Make sure the brake fluid is at the correct level, and the condition of the fluid is good
• Test the handbrake and make any necessary adjustments for its ideal operation
• Make a visual check of the brake callipers for apparent signs of wear or damage

Wheel and tyre servicing

• All tyres are checked for roadworthiness, legal tread depths and that they’re running at the correct tyre pressure

Steering and suspension servicing

• Check the condition of the suspension springs and associated components
• Make sure the power steering fluid reservoir is at the correct level – top up where required
• Check the condition of the shock absorbers
• Examine the steering and the state of the steering rack gaiters

Exhaust system servicing

• Check the condition of the exhaust system for visible signs of wear, damage and corrosion
• Examine the smoke levels exiting the exhaust

Clutch and drive system servicing

• Examine the drive system for any transmission oil leaks
• Where appropriate, check the clutch fluid level
• Check the drive shaft for leaks and stability

Internal vehicle servicing checks

• Make sure all windscreen wipers and washers operate correctly, aren’t worn or damaged, and screenwash levels are at an appropriate level
• Check pollen filters where appropriate
• Examine the windscreen for chips and cracks
• Check internal and external mirrors for damage
• Examine all seat belts for correct operation
• Make sure both number plates are clean, free of damage, and secured in place correctly

General servicing checks

• Examine all external and internal lights for correct operation – including:
  • Headlamps
  • Brake lights
  • Indicators
  • Fog lights
• Check the horn operation
• Test dashboard warning lights for full functionality

What is the average cost of a full car service?

The typical full car service cost averaged out through the UK, currently stands at around £125.

If you choose Fixter to organise the work for you, you can expect to receive the best care and attention for you and your car, and, of course, the most competitive rates on the market.

What’s the difference between a full service, an interim and a major service?

Depending on how you use your car and how often, you should be able to make a sensible decision into which of the three main types of vehicle service your car will need at any given time.

A full service is recommended at yearly intervals or around 12,000 miles. However, for exceptionally low or high-mileage drivers, that might not always be the best option for your situation.

Basic or interim service

A basic or interim service is a stopgap or quick-check service, designed to keep high-mileage drivers safe and their vehicles roadworthy. Those of us who regularly drive long distances, whether, for work or play, those cars are going to be subject to more wear than a car carrying out a more conventional driver’s mileage.

Your interim service will feature the more basic checks: oil and filter changes, a top-up of all the essential fluids, and visual inspections of 30 or 40 of the components that are subject to typical regular wear and tear. So if you’re the type of driver who regularly covers 6,000 miles in less than 6 months, then this is a good option for you.

Full service

We don’t need to explain the depth of detail covered during a full car service given the list of checks we’ve detailed for you. Despite the recommendation into carrying out a full service every year, if you drive more than 12,000 miles before the year is up, we’d suggest getting yourself booked in early. Your car will be ready for it.

Major service

If you thought the full service was pretty all-inclusive, then a major service takes the operation a step further. A major service doesn’t just check each of the components but replaces almost all of your consumables to provide the optimum of care for your vehicle. The most attentive drivers will book their cars in for a major service every couple of years, to guarantee the peak performance of their vehicle.

Finally—don’t skip your service, you could be asking for trouble

We get asked all sorts of questions and from every type of driver. Is an oil change included in a service? Do they check the spare tyre? Will a sticking seatbelt fail an MOT? Yet one of the most popular is still “Does a service really make much difference to my car?”

We believe it’s one of the most important parts of car maintenance. Regular servicing for your vehicle helps to catch all kinds of problems before they escalate into much bigger ones. A service makes sure your car is operating at its best, and by doing so, is less prone to issues and failures.

We’ve seen it time and time again, just how important a service it. Your car service will save you money in the long-term. We think it’s one of the best value checks you’ll ever receive as a driver.

About Fixter

Fixter is revolutionising the car maintenance industry, one repair at a time. Fixter was founded to make car maintenance as easy as booking a taxi. Digital, transparent and stress-free, with world-class customer service. Since launching in Manchester in 2017, Fixter has expanded to more than 100 cities across the UK and provided thousands of car owners with honest, convenient and affordable car repair services.