Why Service Your Car Between MOTs?

Two different jobs

An MOT is an inspection against a legal checklist, carried out once a year after the car is three years old. A service is maintenance. It replaces consumables, adjusts and lubricates, and gives a mechanic the time to look over the vehicle with a view to what is wearing out.

A vehicle can pass an MOT with old, thin oil, a clogged air filter and a clutch that is on its way out. None of those is on the test list. They are exactly the things a service is there to catch.

Wear items that quietly run out

Some parts wear gradually, and you stop noticing the change. Brake pads thin out, tyres lose tread, wiper blades harden, the battery weakens and the coolant loses its protective qualities. Taken one at a time they seem small, but together they decide whether the car starts and stops reliably.

A regular service puts eyes on these items at sensible intervals. If something is close to the end of its life, you can plan the work rather than having it forced on you at the roadside.

The sound of a car changes slowly, and the driver is the last to notice. A mechanic coming to it fresh will pick up a slightly noisy wheel bearing or a belt that squeals on a cold start, and those small observations are the real worth of a service visit.

• Engine oil and filter condition
• Brake pads, discs and fluid
• Battery health and charging
• Belts, hoses and coolant level
• Tyre wear patterns and pressures

Preventing breakdowns and bigger bills

Many serious repairs start as small, cheap problems. A leaking hose that is spotted early is a minor job, but one that bursts on the road can lead to overheating and engine damage. Old oil that is not changed accelerates wear on parts that are very expensive to replace.

Servicing cannot promise that nothing will go wrong, because any machine can fail. It does, however, reduce the odds, and it gives you advance notice of the things that are likely to need attention.

There is a practical side as well. A car that breaks down on the way to work costs you a day, plus the stress of arranging recovery and a lift. Regular attention does not remove that risk, but a car that has been looked over recently is less likely to leave you stranded with a problem that was visible all along.

Records, resale and peace of mind

A service history that shows regular work is something buyers look for when they are choosing a used car. It supports the story of a car that has been looked after, and it can make the sale easier. We cannot promise what it adds in value, since that depends on the car and the market.

Keeping the paperwork also helps you. You know what was done and when, which makes it easier to plan what comes next and to spot a part that has been repeatedly troublesome.

How often is often enough?

For most cars, once a year or at the mileage set by the manufacturer is the usual rhythm, with an interim service in between for high-mileage drivers. Short town journeys, towing and winter conditions on salted roads can justify more frequent attention.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we offer interim, full and major servicing, general maintenance and vehicle health checks. If you are not sure what your car needs, bring it in and we will talk it through.

Frequently asked questions