Ever wondered what happens when you drop off your vehicle for its annual service? Read on for a breakdown of what’s included in a service and how we protect your car year round. Think of this as your full service car checklist.

Why You Need Your Vehicle Service

Having your vehicle serviced annually, or by specific mileage, is the single best way to increase the longevity of your vehicle, as this allows for problems to be identified as early as possible, and therefore fixed before they become more serious and more costly. An important part of your service is changing the oil. Your oil is used to lubricate internal components and over time oil quality deteriorates and can become contaminated so fresh and clean oil is essential. Regular servicing also increases the vehicle’s resale value and protects your warranty, which may have specific servicing requirements. If you are no longer following the manufacturers recommended service schedule, we recommend alternating between a full and interim service each year, unless you are doing high mileage or have specific requirements.

Types of Services We Offer:

• Manufacturers Service: We will service your vehicle to mileage or age requirements, as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. This service is different for every make and model, and some services can include additional procedures such as software updates and electric battery checks. Manufacturers services do not affect your warranty and are exactly as your main dealer provides. The difference is, in some cases, we can save you as much as 50% on cost compared with your dealer.
• Major or Full Service: As explained throughout this article, this is a comprehensive service which ensures that your car is running as safely and efficiently as possible, intended to identify problems early on and improve the overall longevity of your vehicle.
• Interim Service: This is a more basic version of a full service, covering the essentials.

Full Service Car Checklist – What’s Included?

All of the key areas that can be checked, internal and external components, and lighting systems of your vehicle will be thoroughly examined as part of your full service, including the following – our comprehensive full service car checklist.

Lights and Electrical System

We will check the operation of:

• Exterior lights
• Rear reflectors
• Instrument warning lamps
• Dashboard and heater control lamps
• Car horn

We will also check/test:

• Battery condition and connections
• Alternator output and security, where possible

Internal and Vision

We will check:

• Operation of door and bonnet lock, as well as lubrication of locks, hinges and catches
• Windscreen wiper and washer condition and operation
• Windscreen washer reservoir, topping up if necessary
• Pollen/air filter, replacing where applicable (not all vehicles)
• Seatbelts
• Operation of air conditioning

Engine

As part of your service, we will:

• Drain engine oil and refill it
  Provide an engine oil flush
• Replace oil and air filters
• Replace fuel filter (diesel vehicles only)
• Check for oil leaks
• Check coolant and antifreeze levels
• Check coolant hoses for leaks as well as overall condition
• Check auxiliary drive belts
• Change spark plugs, where necessary (petrol vehicles only)
• Perform a visual check of the fuel system
• Top up antifreeze, where applicable

Brakes

We will perform visual inspections of:

• Brake pads and calipers, for wear or damage
• Brake discs, shoes and cylinders, for wear or damage (on drum brakes)
• Brake pipes and hoses

We will also check:

• Brake servo operation, also known as a brake booster
• Brake fluid level, topping up brake fluid if necessary
• Hub, flanges and mounting surfaces, and provide cleaning for these
• Visible handbrake linkages and travel for security, adjusting if required

Steering and Suspension

We will check:

• Condition of road springs
• Power steering fluid reservoir (if applicable)
• Steering and suspension components, for wear and corrosion
• Steering rack gaiters
• Shock absorber condition and mounting, reporting any leaks
• Wheel bearings, for excessive play or noise

Drive System

We will check:

• Drive shaft gaiters for security and report and leaks
• Clutch operation
• Transmission oil leaks
• Condition of clutch cable or hydraulics, where visible

Tyres and Wheels

We will check:

• Tyre conditions for all wheels
• Tread depth for all wheels
• Tyre pressure, including for spare tyre, and adjust where necessary

Final Checks

To complete your service, we will perform the following final checks:

• Reset vehicle service light
• Stamp service book
• Carry out courtesy vehicle wash
• Carry out vehicle road test

If you vehicle is showing any engine management lights we, when requested, will also carry out a diagnostic code read.

When to Book in a Service

We recommend that you book in for a full service every other year, alternating with an interim service, as this kind of preventative maintenance can save you a lot of money in the long run, as well as give you peace of mind that your car is running safely.

If, however, your car sees higher mileage than the average road user, we would recommend that you consider a full service every year, so that your car is fully examined by a mechanic. For example, if you drive more than 10,000 miles per year, you would benefit from full services only. Cars that see more use will have a shorter lifespan than a car used less frequently, and long journeys in particular can cause more damage to your battery, engine and tyres.

If your vehicle is due for its annual service, please get in touch and we would be happy to book you in and run through the full service car checklist with you.