What is a car service?
A car service is carried out by a qualified mechanic who will check all essential systems and items in your car. Their job will be to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive on the road, hence the fact that it is a legal requirement for you to service your car every 12 months.
Is a car service the same thing as an MOT?
There is a difference between an MOT and a car service, despite the fact that both cover many of the same components.
An MOT is different to a service because one must be completed to a government set of regulations, with certain rules having to be followed. With a car service, everything is controlled by the mechanic and/or garage who are undertaking the work.
This is why pricings can change from garage to garage, and car to car. Different car makes and models will have different components, and different garages/mechanics will have their own way of carrying out a service.
What are the different types of services?
You have two options when wanting to get your car serviced, an interim car service or a full car service. Services change from garage to garage, so different check with be carried out, looking at different parts of your car.
Your car needs to have its health checked to make sure that it is running smoothly and safely, and that is the purpose of a service. Specific repairs are included as part of a car service as well, with a full diagnostic finding out everything about the health of your car.
That is why having interim service checks six months before a full service can be so helpful, as any minor issues can be fixed before they potentially get worse. This means you should have a few less surprises when you come to getting your car a full service.
Imagine finding out during a full service that you need to have major work done on your car. This could have been stopped if found 6 months earlier during an interim service, which would have been much cheaper.
That is why you must make sure you are getting the best value for your money, and talking to more than one garage is something that should always be done. Being able to compare all the prices in one place will allow you to evaluate your options in more detail, and luckily you are in the right place for that!
We have compiled a list of what most garages will check during an interim or full service. However you should check with a garage before you book as not every garage will cover what we have included below.
What is Checked in a Full and Interim Car Service?
- Oil and Oil Filter Replacement
- Brake Fluid
- Antifreeze Coolant
- Windscreen Wash
- Power Steering Fluid
- Lights
- Windscreen Wipers
- Battery Condition
- Charging System
- Exhaust System
- Tyre Tread and Pressure
- Full Brake Check
- Steering Check
- Shock Absorbers Check
- Suspension Check
A full car service also includes:
- Auxiliary Drive Belt Check
- Wheel Alignment Check
- Wheel Bearing Check
- Wheel Balance
- Brake Fluid Condition
- Fuel Filter (Diesel)
- Spark Plugs (Petrol)
- Air Filter
The majority of these parts and systems should be checked in a regular interim car service or full car service. If you need a top up of any lubricants such as motor oil or need additional repairs, extra costs will be involved.
How do I find a trusted local garage in Manchester for a full service?
It can always be difficult to find a mechanic you can trust, but for Manchester we have simplified this process so that you can get an MOT and a full service at a fair price from a garage in your area.
Simply enter your cars details in the form below, and you will have local garages in Manchester send you direct quotes for a full service, or an interim service.
By working with over 10,000 mechanics and garages in Manchester and the wider UK, we are able to find competitive MOT and service deals for you.
- Enter your car registration number
- Give us a few details about your car and your requirements
- We’ll send you a great selection of quotes from mechanics and garages in your area.
Then you can sit back and compare the quotes you receive, and look at the reviews of garages you like the look of. This means you can find the best deal on a full car service or interim car service & MOT.
