Is my car due a service?
There are a handful of ways to decide when your next car service is due. Your service date could depend on the age of the car, its performance or even how long you’ve owned it.
New car service history
Just because your car is new and feels like nothing could possibly go wrong with it, servicing is an essential part of protecting it from just that. For many new cars, servicing will be part of its warranty conditions.
Your manufacturer’s handbook will outline which service level you’ll need and by which dates. You’ll receive a stamp in the handbook to show the completed work. This creates an excellent record of the vehicle’s care and maintenance schedule.
When it comes to selling a car, however old, its service record shows potential buyers just how lovingly it’s cared for.
New-to-you-car servicing
Depending on where you bought your used car, it could be a sensible option to have it checked over and given an appropriate level of service.
If you’ve bought a used car from a dealer, there’s a strong chance that they will have carried out some kind of service. They may even have added a years’ MOT as part of the deal. However, if you’ve bought a car via private sale, there are no guarantees to the state of its care. A full service could be just the ticket for beginning your new life together, knowing everything is intact and in the best possible condition.
When is my service due? Typical mileages
Depending on whether you’re a high- or low-mileage driver, the frequency of your car services could be different from those of the typical driver.
There are 3 types of service: Interim, Full and Major. As well as dictating when you should book in for your service, the mileage you cover, or the time between services, will also help answer the question, what services does my car need?
- Interim service
Every 6 months for high-mileage drivers, or at around every 6,000 miles. - Full service
This is the standard service most drivers will carry out each year. However, if you drive the estimated 12,000 miles before your year is up, then we’d suggest that you book a full service in earlier. That way, you can make sure all the consumables and components are in the appropriate condition. - Major service
A major service is considered a bi-annual event, carried out every 2 years. Alternatively, for those high-mileage drivers, at around a further 24,000 miles of driving. This service is the most intensive, with almost all fluids and filters changed and with safety and health checks far more widespread and thorough.
Signs that your car is ready for a service
We’ve put together a few ideas for drivers who regularly let their service plan slide, and can’t remember when their last one was. Here are a few telltale signs that it’s time to bite that bullet and book it in.
Warning lights
You’d be amazed at how many people continue to drive their cars with an illuminated warning light screaming at them from the dashboard. Plenty of modern vehicles will tell you when your service is due—often with a warning light in the shape of a spanner.
If your car lights up any yellow warning lights, they need checking out at soon as you get chance. Their job is to help you spot something that’s not quite right before it grows into a much more serious problem. Why not take the opportunity to get the rest of your car checked over at the same time? You k