What is an interim service?
An Interim service is a car service that includes several maintenance checks as well as an oil and filter change.
Interim services are designed for high mileage drivers who undertake around 20,000 miles or more a year. It is advised that your car undergoes an interim service every 6 months to alternate with your annual full service.
Cars with a high mileage are liable to more wear and tear, therefore an interim service offers peace of mind between yearly full services. Most of the checks and services included in an interim service focus on the car parts that require more frequent inspection.
What is the difference between an interim service and a full service?
MOT’s are an annual legal requirement, and a full service covers all bases when it comes to car condition and repair. There are no written rules regarding the frequency of interim and minor services. Therefore, much confusion exists around what is needed for your vehicle and when.
A full service covers all the same checks and jobs of an interim service, as well as additionally topping up the gearbox oil, greasing additional moving parts and covering the adjustment of belts. Interim services act as a top up, giving drivers peace of mind and ensuring road safety all year long.
What is included in an interim service?
Oil and Oil Filter Replacement
Engine oil is absolutely vital for keeping your car is good health and serious damage will be cause to a vehicle if there is low or none existent engine oil.
This is one of the easiest things to check and will always be included in an interim service.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is vital for the brake system as it is responsible for applying pressure to the pads and discs when bringing a car to a halt. If there is a small leak in the braking system, the liquid will inevitably pour out. This will then prevent you from braking all together so it is vital that this never happens!
Anti-freeze Coolant
During the winter months, if a car is left outside for an extended period of time, it will be subject to potential problems. Coolant is a liquid which runs through a car engine, keeping the level of heat and friction down, similar to engine oil.
The radiator needs to have a healthy supply of coolant to operate and keep the engine cool, which is why it is vital there is also enough anti-freeze in the system as well. If the coolant freezes and you start your engine in cold weather, your engine could overheat and damage could be caused extremely quickly.
Windscreen Wash
Having enough windscreen wash may not strike you as critical, however, if you are driving your car and your view of the road becomes obstructed, you need to be able to wash your screen.
Power Steering Fluid
Like brake fluid, power steering fluid is checked in an interim service and the reason are exactly the same. Power steering fluid is critical for being able to steer a car and if there is a leak, or even air bubbles in the system, you will be in trouble.
If the problem is air bubbles, you can pump the clutch to resolve the issue, however, if there is a leak, a bigger repair will be required.
Lights
It is a legal requirement that you have working headlights so the wiring around rear and headlights will be checked during an interim service to ensure they are not at risk of cutting out.
Windscreen Wipers
Windscreen wipers naturally wear down over time and lose their ability to remove dirt and water from a windscreen. A mechanic will make sure your windscreen wipers are good enough to do this during an interim service.
Battery Condition
The most common problem car batteries have is dying however, with a jump start, this problem can be sorted. A mechanic has no way of knowing if this will happen and so they cannot check for anything specific when it comes to this potential issue arising.
However, the integrity of a car battery could come into question and they can sometimes crack, resulting in battery acid spilling into the car engine. This is a very serious issue and so the battery will be checked for signs of damage during an interim service to ensure this does not happen to you.
Charging System
The charging system is responsible for keeping your car battery full of power, if it is compromised, then it highly likely that you will suffer from a regular dead battery.
The alternator can be to blame for problems with the charging system and so will be checked during an interim service.
Exhaust System
The most common issue the exhaust system suffers from is rust and leakage of dangerous fumes. There are several parts of an exhaust system which will be checked in an interim service including the catalytic converter which is responsible for taking the most toxic and dangerous elements out of the fumes created by a car engine.
A mechanic will mainly be checking for holes and rust when it comes to the exhaust system.
Tyre Tread and Pressure
It is a legal requirement to have 1.6mm tyre tread depth in the UK as this allows a car to grip the road firmly, if it is any lower, you are actually breaking the law!
This will always be checked while an interim service is being carried out, as will a pressure check on your tyres.
Full Brake Check
A brake test will be carried out during an interim service to ensure your car is able to come to a stop properly. If your car cannot do this, there is a good chance the brake pads or discs have worn down.
Steering Check
Surprisingly, some drivers don’t realise that their steering isn’t what it is supposed to be which is why this service is provided in an interim service.
There may be a number of issues which would cause steering issues including wheel alignment, in which case, a simple fix is available.
Shock Absorbers Check
The shock absorbers make up a part of the steering and suspension system and are self explanatory in their role in a car.
However, their effectiveness will drop over time resulting in a less comfortable ride for passengers. The large springs will be checked during a full service for degradation.
Suspension Check
The suspension of a car is part of the steering system and so will be rigorously checked during an interim service.
How much will an Interim Service cost, and where can I find local garages?
An Interim Service will not break the bank, with the service often costing less than £100. The exact price of your interim service will differ depending on your car, however you can compare quotes and customer reviews to find the best deal available with WhoCanFixMyCar.com.
To get the best deal on your interim service:
- 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
- Make your selection and get booked in for your interim service.
