Maintaining your car properly is essential for performance, reliability, and safety on the road. Many people wonder, how often should you service your car? The experts at the Prestige Car Kent service centre are here to help answer this question, debunk myths, and ensure you get a fair deal.
Let's explore how often you should service your car, why it's important, and what to expect from a professional car service. If you want to learn more, don't hesitate and contact our team today at Prestige Cars Kent.
Why Car Servicing Matters
So, what exactly is the purpose of a car service? A car service involves a thorough inspection and maintenance of various components to ensure your vehicle stays in optimal condition. This is more in-depth than an MOT, which is primarily a visual inspection meant to assess a vehicle’s basic safety and roadworthiness. Unlike an MOT, a car service goes beyond just checking; it addresses issues before they lead to major repairs.
During a car service, professionals examine key components that are susceptible to wear, such as:
Suspension and steering
Cooling system
Brake discs and pads
Fluid levels, such as coolant and oil
By ensuring these elements are functioning correctly, a car service helps prevent unexpected issues and costly repairs in the future, ultimately keeping you safe on the roads.
How Often Should You Service Your Car?
A common question among car owners is, how often should you service your car? The manufacturer’s service schedule, found in your car’s handbook, provides specific guidelines. Generally, most manufacturers recommend a service every 12 months or approximately every 10,000 miles. However, depending on the brands and models, they may have different schedules.
Certainly an annual service is good practice, especially if you do a lot of miles. Here at the Prestige Cars Kent service centre, we provide manufacturer recommended servicing for all major makes and models using their schedules to determine both when a service is due, and also what level of service is required.
What’s the Difference Between a Minor and Major Service?
You will often find references to ‘minor’ and ‘major’ services. So, what’s the difference? A minor service – otherwise known as a basic or general service - involves a check-over of the whole car, complete with a diagnostic check for any electronic issues, and an oil change. After a minor car service, you’ll receive a report outlining any areas to monitor, such as brake wear or tyre condition.
As you may guess, the major car service is more involved, checking and replacing components that may last a reasonably long time, but need more thorough checking or a mandatory replacement to prevent catastrophic failure further down the road.
For example, replacing a cambelt during a major car service might seem costly, but it’s essential to prevent catastrophic engine failure. This type of car service can ultimately save you from even greater expenses in the future.
Benefits of Regular Car Servicing
We know it’s probably yet another expense, especially as you have to pay for fuel, insurance and tax, but skipping a car service is definitely a bad idea!
First of all, maintaining a complete service history is crucial if you want to preserve your car’s resale value. A car with a consistent car service record is more attractive to potential buyers and can fetch a higher resale value compared to one with a patchy history. A Kwik Fit survey found that almost half of buyers wouldn’t consider a vehicle without a comprehensive car service history.
On a practical level, regular servicing enhances fuel economy and reduces the risk of major breakdowns. Think the cost of a car service is high? Consider these average repair costs for various parts:
Radiator - £430
Water pump - £240
Engine exchange – £2,575
Cylinder head gasket – £520
A car service can save you from these potential expenses by catching issues early, keeping your vehicle in top shape, and making sure it performs efficiently. For example, replacing a cambelt might cost around £250, but if it fails, you could be looking at a new engine, which may cost well over £2,500.
Choosing the Right Place for Your Car Service
Deciding where to get your car service done is another crucial aspect. Main dealers typically charge more for a car service due to higher overheads and staff commissions. However, they have specialised knowledge for specific makes and models, which can be beneficial if your vehicle has unique or complex issues.
At Prestige Car Kent service centre, we aim to provide the best of both worlds. Our team is highly experienced, handling hundreds of vehicles each year. With 13 service ramps, we can offer quick appointment times, minimising wait times for our customers. Our technicians are trained with main dealer experience, ensuring high-quality work for every car service we conduct.
Why Service Your Car with Prestige Car Kent?
Here’s why the Prestige Car Kent service centre could be the right choice for your next car service:
We sell and service 100s of cars a year, so have built up a wealth of knowledge
We’ve got 13 service ramps, which means short lead times on appointments
Our technicians all have main dealer backgrounds and training
We offer courtesy cars and a business waiting lounge (with Wi-Fi)
We use the same diagnostic equipment as a main dealer
We use OEM parts, just the same as a main dealer
But we don’t charge main dealer prices
We’re independent, and family owned – we care what you think!
So, how often should you service your car? A safe bet is annually, or as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. Regular servicing keeps your car running smoothly and safely, protecting you from potentially costly breakdowns. Considering a car service soon? Visit our Service Centre page to explore our offerings or call our friendly team for a quote. We’re here to make sure your vehicle gets the care it deserves.