What is a car service?
A car service is something that only a qualified mechanic is able to undertake, by checking that all the important and essential systems in your car are in a healthy working order. It is their job to ensure you can drive your car on the roads, which is why a service is a legal requirement every 12 months.
Is a car service the same thing as an MOT?
MOTs and services are different things, despite many components being the subject of scrutineering by mechanics.
An MOT is a government set of regulations that garages and mechanics must abide to, with rules in place to make sure it is strictly followed.
A car service is different, being something that is controlled by the mechanic and garage themselves. This is why one service by one mechanic can often be slightly different to another.
This is also the reason that the cost of your service can alter between garages, and car to car. Different makes and different models all have different requirements, meaning no service is even the same in each garage.
What are the different types of services?
There are two options to consider when looking to get your car serviced; an interim car service and a full car service. Different garages offer different services, so check with your local garage you choose what their services comprise of.
The health of your car is important. Making sure it’s running smoothly and safely is the primary purpose of a car service. It can find things that a wrong with your car, leading to specific repairs that could save you a lot of money in the long run.
This is why an interim service check six months before a full service can be very beneficial to you in the long run. Having issues being flagged up as soon as possible will be in your favour in the long run, with the risk of a breakdown being greatly reduced.
A full service every 12 months is important in maintaining the health of your car, but a lot can happen in that amount of time. If you find out you ignored having an interim service, that in essence could have saved you a lot of money in the long run, then it is something you would regret not doing. You don’t want to fork out a huge bill.
And working out what is the best service and value for you is important. Always look at more than one garage, comparing different prices and reviews. Luckily for you, this is the place where you can do just 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
Most garages will cover each of these parts and systems in an interim car service and a full car service. Lubricants such as motor oil are topped up, with additional repairs resulting in extra costs.
How do I find a trusted local garage in Leeds for a full service?
Finding a mechanic you trust used to be hard, but not anymore. You can find a garage and mechanic in Leeds that you can trust to undertake an MOT and full service at a price you can enjoy.
Simply enter your car’s registration, and you will have local garages in Leeds send you direct quotes for a full service, or an interim service.
We work with over 10,000 mechanics and garages across Leeds and the wider UK to find the best and more competitive MOT and car service deals.
- 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.
Compare the different quotes you receive, as well as the reviews to find exactly what you want, all in one place!