Abigail

Not sure what service is due on your vehicle? Even in this modern age, there is still conflicting information out there about what servicing plan you should follow to get the best out of your vehicle. Choosing the right service doesn’t have to be complicated. Here, we’ve compiled a guide to the different car service types and when and where you should get yours done.

Why Do You Need Your Car Serviced?

Regular servicing is important for the maintenance of any vehicle, but is particularly necessary for newer cars or vans and those under warranty. Servicing your vehicle at the correct intervals helps:

• Prevent breakdowns and costly repairs
• Improve fuel efficiency
• Extend the life of your car
• Keep you and your passengers safe
• Maintain your car’s resale value
• Protect your manufacturer’s warranty
• Give you peace of mind

Skipping services might save money short-term, but it often leads to bigger bills later.

Car Service Types

Some garages and vehicle owners are still loyal to the good old Interim, Full and Major services, swapping between the three as deemed necessary. While this may have been how it was done a few years ago, today’s modern cars require you to follow more specific, complex service plans to maintain them, whether or not they have a warranty. These vehicle-specific service schedules are commonly referred to as menu servicing or manufacturer-approved, but can be more easily understood as the service you would receive from the main dealership. But what makes this a better alternative than just following the 3 standard service types? Check out a direct comparison of each service type below.

Service Type	Purpose	What’s Included	Parts Used	Warranty Impact	Cost
Manufacturer-Specific Service	Maintains vehicle exactly to factory standards and schedule	Follows the official service schedule for the vehicle’s age/mileage. Specific items replaced precisely when the manufacturer requires (e.g., DSG oil, Haldex service, timing belt intervals, specific coolant types). Specific inspections tailored to that particular make and model.	OEM (manufacturer-approved) parts & fluids	Protects warranty (especially new vehicles). Maintains resale value best.	£-£££ (depends on what is due)
Interim Service	Basic 6-month or high-mileage maintenance	Oil + filter, basic safety checks, tyres, brakes, fluid top-ups, simple inspections	Aftermarket or OEM depending on provider	Can affect warranty	£ (Cheapest)
Full Service	Annual comprehensive maintenance	Everything in Interim + air filter, deeper checks of brakes, steering, suspension, battery, cooling system	Aftermarket or OEM parts depending on provider	Can affect warranty	££
Major Service	Deep service every 2–3 years or high mileage	Full Service + spark plugs, brake fluid change, brake service, coolant change, fuel filter (diesel), extensive inspections	Aftermarket or OEM depending on provider	May affect warranty	£££

As shown in the table above, manufacturer-approved service schedules ensure your vehicle is up to date on all its filter changes, timing belt and auxiliary belt replacements and oil changes, using the correct lubricants and Original Equipment Manufacturer parts (components made by the same company that produced the original part for the vehicle). It also means that all the relevant elements on your particular make and model of vehicle are checked as and when they should be, such as the sunroof condition.

There is also a case to be made about over-servicing a vehicle. If you are unsure what service items are due on your vehicle, you may fall into the trap of booking it in for a full or major service when it’s not needed. This will obviously result in spending more money than you need to and in the wrong places; it’s possible to over-service certain parts and under-service others by booking in for these generic services as opposed to consulting the manufacturer-specific schedules.

How Often Should You Service Your Car?

Most vehicles need servicing every 12 months. This is if they are driven under normal road and weather conditions and don’t exceed the average mileage. If you:

• Drive short trips
• Do more than the average mileage per year
• Drive in heavy traffic (do a lot of stopping and starting)
• Tow heavy loads
• Don’t drive your vehicle regularly
• Drive a van or car for work

…you may need more frequent servicing. This is why it’s important to check your owner’s manual and consult a garage that offers manufacturer-recommended servicing to ensure your vehicle is serviced at the correct intervals.

For example, a vehicle that is used to commute an hour to work and an hour home 5 days a week will need a service more often than once a year in order to maintain its safety. Conversely, the opposite is true, with vehicles driven very little (short trips to the local shop once every week) potentially needing more maintenance. As much as a lot of driving can result in more wear and tear, too little driving can also be damaging, potentially resulting in a dead battery and seized brakes.

Choosing the Right Car Garage

When searching for the best place for car servicing near you, look for qualified technicians, good reviews and recommendations, positive local image, clear pricing, quality parts and friendly customer service. A good service provider explains issues clearly and never pressures you into any work. It can be hard to find a trustworthy garage offering all the above that is still affordable – for this reason, it is understandable that a lot of people default to using their local main dealer. However, there are independent garages that offer all of the above and main-dealer-style servicing, but for a more affordable price. Use Google reviews – which are impartial and provide a good overview of a company – to compare your local garages.

Car Service vs. MOT

Some people might believe that if their vehicle has had its MOT, it is sorted until next year’s test. But this does not replace the need for a service. An MOT (Ministry of Transport test) is a legal requirement in the UK for most vehicles over three years old. Its purpose is to check that your car meets minimum safety and environmental standards by law, checking things like brakes (through the wheels), lights and indicators, seatbelts, emissions and suspension.

Key points about an MOT:

• It’s a pass or fail
• It does not fix anything
• It only checks your car’s condition on the day of the test
• Passing an MOT does not mean your car is in perfect condition

A car service is routine maintenance, not a legal requirement; however, still crucial. It serves to keep your car running well and prevent problems from developing.

In its most basic form, a service includes:

• Oil and filter change
• Fluid checks and top-ups
• Engine and system inspections
• Brake and tyre condition checks
• Replacing worn parts before they fail

Depending on your specific vehicle and its mileage and age, it may also include brake fluid, air, fuel or pollen filter changes, auxiliary belt, cambelt or spark plug replacements, among other things. A good garage should provide you with a clear report following your vehicle’s inspection to let you know of anything that requires replacement (like your brakes or tyres, for example) and may warn you of things that are on their way out and need further inspection or changing in the future.

A service is far more comprehensive than an MOT…

• It’s preventative, not a test
• Includes more thorough checks
• There’s no pass or fail
• Problems are identified early
• It improves performance, reliability and lifespan
• It maintains your warranty

Do You Need a Service and an MOT?

Yes. An MOT checks if your car is legal to drive, while a service keeps it healthy and reliable.

Think of it this way:

• An MOT is like a medical check to see if you’re fit to leave the house
• A service is like regular exercise and checkups to stay healthy

Many drivers book a service at the same time as their MOT—it’s convenient and can help reduce the risk of MOT failures.

A Quick Note on Electric and Hybrid Servicing

Electric and Hybrid vehicles still need servicing, but they have fewer moving parts and different service inspections. Again, this is why it is recommended to go by the manufacturer’s schedule as opposed to generic services.

Checks on an EV or hybrid vehicle include:

• Brakes
• Battery and cables
• Suspension and tyre inspections
• Cooling system
• Air conditioning
• Sundries (lights, levels, wipers)

There’s no real engine on an electric vehicle, so there’s no need for oil changes. This means a service is required less often than with petrol and diesel cars; however, it is still just as imperative. You might be asking: “Can normal garages service hybrid and electric vehicles?” The good news is, you don’t have to go to the main dealer, as, yes, there are independent garages that offer this service. The technicians working on these vehicles must be specially trained and certified. This requires further qualifications, so there are only a handful of local garages able to work on electric and hybrid vehicles at the moment.

Common Car Servicing Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping services to save money
  This may result in the opposite and cost you more in the long run.
• Ignoring warning lights
  A warning appears on your dashboard for a reason – get it checked as soon as possible at a garage that can do diagnostics.
• Not keeping service records
  Most cars will come with their own service books, where your garage can record what service they have done on the vehicle and the date. Newer cars may use an online platform to keep service records, and not all garages will have access to this. Keeping service records ensures you can remember what has been done on your vehicle in the past and helps you to sell it in the future.
• Delaying fixing minor issues until they become major
  As much as it’s tempting to put things off, when it comes to vehicles, it’s always best to sort out any reported issues sooner rather than later to prevent further damage.
• Assuming all services are the same
  As explained, services come in all shapes and sizes depending on the vehicle’s make and model, mileage, usage, and age. What your vehicle needs service-wise will almost certainly be different year to year and compared to others on the road.
  

Car servicing doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. Understanding the basics helps you make smarter, informed decisions, avoid unnecessary costs, and keep your car running safely for years. Regular servicing is an investment, not an expense, and it pays off every time you turn the key.

Catalytic converters are present on practically every car on the road today. They use chemical reactions to clean harmful gasses – such as carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons – from your car’s exhaust emissions. Their job is particularly important these days now that we are more climate-conscious. They convert (hence the name) these harmful gasses into less damaging substances like carbon dioxide and water vapour. The interior of the ‘cat’ is generally fitted with a honeycomb structure onto which a coating is applied that contains a catalyst – this creates a reaction with the exhaust gasses, altering them chemically. 

How often are catalytic converters being stolen?

Sadly, we are hearing from more and more customers who have had their ‘cats’ stolen. They’re being targeted not because of their value as car parts but because they use precious metals like palladium, rhodium and platinum as catalysts. In most of today’s cars, the converter is found underneath the vehicle towards the exhaust outlet, making it easily accessible to thieves who can cut the whole unit out from underneath the car, sometimes in less than 2 minutes. It’s a quick win for thieves but a big loss for car owners. 

Is your car a target?

All vehicles are at risk, but cars and commercial vehicles that sit higher off the road (like SUVs and crossovers) are often in the firing line because getting under them is easier. Thieves may even keep targeting the same model of vehicle simply because they get used to removing that particular catalytic converter. Our customers have even come to us to replace their stolen ‘cat’, only to have the new one stolen not long after. This is not just very inconvenient, but also incredibly costly.

How can you prevent the theft?

It’s best to park your car in a locked garage if you can. If not, try to park in a well-lit and busy area. If you park your car in your driveway or on the road outside your house, installing sensor-enabled lights and security cameras is an effective way to deter or catch thieves. Some car manufacturers offer locks to slow thieves down, such as Toyota’s “Catloc” for the Prius and Auris. Or you can look into installing a Thatcham Category 1 alarm which uses tilt sensors to detect if a jack is lifting your car before it sounds an alarm. 

Hopefully, the above will help to reduce the risk of your catalytic converter being stolen. Browse our other blog posts for more information and advice.

It’s that time of the year again; the sun is coming out of hibernation, the lotion is being dusted for cobwebs and pulled out the back of the cupboard, and you’re relying on your car’s air con to keep you cool on your travels. But could you be harming yourself in the process?

As a rule, you should service your air conditioning every two years. This regular maintenance is important to ensure the system runs smoothly and to prevent nasty bacteria from building up. Dust and dirt inside your vehicle and polluted air will eventually mix with the moisture in the system and cause bacteria and fungi. Left this way, you may even notice strange smells coming from your car. 

However, there is a more sinister problem to think about. A new study by Kwik Fit and researchers at London Metropolitan University has revealed this bacteria is associated with meningitis, urinary tract infections and septic arthritis. Those with asthma and allergies may notice their symptoms worsening as the fungus builds up, but it could eventually impact even those with a clean bill of health. Senior lecturer Dr Paul Matewele at London Metropolitan University says, “The study highlights that air conditioning systems are suitable breeding grounds for bacteria and therefore underlines the importance of cleaning and replacing filters. I’m sure if car owners knew what they were blowing out of their air conditioning vents, they would think twice before switching them on this summer.”

Now, we’re not suggesting that you shouldn’t use your air conditioning; just make sure you look after it. We recommend an air con regas every couple of years to service the system as the bare minimum – even if it seems to be working fine. You may also wish to add an antibacterial treatment for further decontamination and peace of mind. 

If you’re like me and really hate cleaning your car (!) you may be motivated to keep at least part of it neat if you know you could be fined up to £1,000. Now, I’m not saying you could get charged for having a dirty car – I’m ashamed to admit mine has been known to be offensively grimy – but you can get in trouble for having a mucky number plate amongst other things.

Your licence plate tells the police where and when the vehicle is registered and allows Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to do their job. Making sure the registration number is legible is a legal requirement. If it’s hard to read or covered in dirt, you could be stopped and fined anything from £100 to a grand on the spot. Not only should your number plates be clean, but they also need to be made from reflective material. The front plate should display black characters on a white background, while the rear plate should display black characters on a yellow background, and neither should have a background pattern. 3D and 4D lettering is allowed as long as it doesn’t compromise readability. 

But, it’s not just your registration plate that can get you in trouble. The Highway Code states that drivers must take special care to maintain their car and ensure it’s working properly, stating “lights, indicators, reflectors and number plates MUST be kept clean and clear.” It’s amazing how dirty your lights can get, how much this can impact your vision in the car, and how visible you are to others on the road. Many modern cars have built-in headlight washers – they spray your lights at the same time as your windscreen. However, generally, this only removes loose dirt, so it’s best not to depend on them. You can clean your lights simply by wiping with warm water, or you can buy dedicated cleaning kits. You can even clean your headlights with toothpaste! If you’re worried about causing damage, head to your local garage. Your indicators and reflectors are just as important and also need to be kept clear. Be aware, if you’ve tried everything to clean your lights and they are still cloudy, discoloured or faded, it may be time to replace the bulb, or even the headlight unit itself. A garage will be able to advise you on this. 

Of course, this blog post doesn’t cover everything you can be fined for on the road – a quick Google search will open your eyes to so many things you can get in trouble for if you’re not careful. But perhaps it has made you think twice about putting off cleaning your car again!

The used car market is a minefield, to put it lightly. Sadly, you wouldn’t believe the number of times we have to inform customers that the car they’ve just bought is not in the condition they believed it to be. If you’re in the market for a second-hand car, there are some things you can do to mitigate the risk of being cheated.

The do’s and don’ts of buying a used car:

NEVER buy a car without its MOT

First and foremost, if a car’s MOT has expired, do not buy it. This is practically a sure sign that the seller has something to hide. If its MOT test is due in the next couple of months, the best thing to do is ask that the seller takes it early. You can offer to pay extra for the test, and the seller should cover any repairs needed.

Always do a thorough background check

It’s vital to review a vehicle’s history before you go to view it. You can find a lot about a car online, certainly enough to determine whether it’s worth seeing. First, do an MOT check – www.check-mot.service.gov.uk is the place for that. You already know what to do regarding the MOT due date, but make sure to take note of the MOT history as well. Check for any advisories, particularly those on the most recent MOTs, that may not have been dealt with and make a note to ask about them when meeting the seller. If you’re buying from a private seller, we recommend using sites like Auto Trader. Cars listed here go through a background check before being available for purchase. You can buy a lot of vehicles on Facebook Marketplace these days, but these are not pre-checked and therefore are a much riskier purchase.

It’s also wise to do an HPI check. The most comprehensive ones aren’t free, but it’s a small price for complete transparency. The report will tell you whether the car is on finance, if it’s been written off, or marked as stolen – all massive red flags! Type “HPI check” into Google, and you’ll get multiple options, all of which are fine. You’d be looking at around £20 for a check to tell you everything you need to know.

The proof is in the paperwork

Request that the seller sends you screenshots of the vehicle’s service history to confirm whether it’s up-to-date on its maintenance. Generally, the vehicle should have had a service every year, alternating between a full and interim service in its most basic form (although it’s better if it has stuck to the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule – read our previous blog post!). If you decide to view the vehicle, request proof of ownership through a purchase receipt and ensure you get the physical copies of the service history. The logbook doesn’t prove ownership, but you must be handed this; otherwise, you won’t be able to tax the vehicle.

Check the mileage

A second-hand car with low mileage (anything less than 40,000 miles on the clock) is more desirable. However, if you’ve found a nice car with low mileage and at a low cost, likely, something is not quite right. Nowadays, it’s easy to alter a car’s mileage; it’s just a case of having the right software on your laptop. If you’re viewing a vehicle that looks in good knick but is cheap, given its low mileage, look closer. Check for stone chips on the bonnet, the condition of the seats and mats and how worn the pedals look. The general rule; if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Second-hand cars are expensive these days, especially in seemingly-good condition with low mileage.

Stop, look and listen

Talking about condition, if you’re viewing a car, there are some important things to check for, and you don’t have to be an expert to spot them. The first thing you should do is a visual inspection. Check outside, underneath and inside. Look for signs of repainting or body work replacement indicating the car had been in an accident. The most important thing is that the car is safe and mechanically sound, so you must test-drive it. Turn the radio off and ask the seller (if in the vehicle) to stay quiet. Listen out for unusual noises or rattles and check for excessive smoke. Test the brakes and handbrake and pay close attention to the steering and handling. If you notice anything that seems off, it’s not worth the risk.

Get a second opinion

Of course, unless you know exactly what to look for, it’s hard to be certain you’re not being taken for a fool. If you buy a second-hand car, it’s wise to inspect it as soon as possible. Many garages will be happy to have a general look over the important elements free of charge (we certainly will!) to give you some peace of mind or to bring your attention to something you may have missed. If you buy from a dealer and have a problem within 30 days of purchase, you can either request a full refund or a like-for-like replacement. If you buy from a private seller, you don’t have as much legal protection, as it’s your responsibility to be careful. Head to the Citizens Advice website for a confirmation of your rights.

The main takeaway is to be cautious. Don’t get too wrapped up in the excitement; think with your head and not your heart!

If you’ve just purchased a used vehicle and would like someone to check it over, please give us a call on 01485 533786 in Hunstanton or 01553 763763 in King’s Lynn. Or, if you’re still browsing and want some advice, contact us – we’d be more than happy to help.