Your vehicle will experience wear and tear over time. The gradual nature of this deterioration can make it easy to miss subtle changes in your vehicle's performance.

That’s why regular car servicing is so important, as it can help you to take stock of your vehicle’s health before a major issue arises.

Whilst it is not illegal to not service your car, it is essential that you book a full car service every year.

Without regular servicing, your vehicle could be more prone to breakdowns, which could cost you more in the long run.

Read on and find out why regular car servicing is so important and the benefits of booking a car service when needed.

 

Is It Illegal Not to Service Your Car?

A car service is not a pre-requisite to validating your car insurance, nor is it a yearly legal requirement in the same way an MOT is.

You may not be legally required to service your car, but car servicing is still the key to keeping your car in good health and improving your vehicle’s performance.

 

Why Do I Need to Regularly Service My Car?

Car servicing ensures that the vital safety components in your vehicle are working properly, including the suspension and braking system, so it is important that you don't delay booking one when needed.

Not to mention the countless other benefits of booking a car service at least once a year – far beyond just the financial reasons for doing so.

 

Your Vehicle Will Last Longer

Your vehicle will experience gradual wear and tear as time goes on. Car servicing can help to further the lifespan of your vehicle by ensuring that vital components and fluids are working as they should.

For instance, a high percentage of your vehicle’s energy consumption relates to your tyres. By ensuring that your tyres are correctly inflated by booking a car service, you can lower fuel costs and extend the lifespan of your tyres.

A full service also includes an oil change as well as the replacement of the air and oil filters. Making sure that these parts are working well can help your engine to function, reduce friction and ensure that fuel is burned efficiently.

 

You Can Save Money

With regular servicing and maintenance, you can prevent major problems from developing in the future. Not to mention that you are likely to see an instant reduction in the cost-per-mile of your driving.

 

You Can Make Sure Your Car Is Safe

Neglecting to service your vehicle at the appropriate intervals could compromise your safety. A car service is designed to highlight anything that could be dangerous or lead to a potential breakdown.

The brakes, clutch, steering, engine, suspension and tyres will all be checked for wear and tear, as these components could put you in danger on the road if they are not replaced or repaired when needed.

 

Your Vehicle's Performance Will Improve

As there are several moving parts which make up the engine, regular maintenance and servicing is essential to keep it in good working condition.

Regular oil changes are important to keep the engine lubricated and to extend its lifespan.

If you notice that a tank of fuel isn’t going as far as it normally would, then your vehicle could be in need of a service.

This can help a tank of fuel to go further, and help to ensure that your vehicle is not producing more harmful emissions than it should be.

 

You Can Maintain the Value of Your Car

A vehicle with a full service history (FSH) is much more likely to maintain its resale value better than one that has not been serviced regularly.

If you allow issues like rust and leaks to develop, then you could face bigger car problems in the future. You should take your car to the garage at the first sign of trouble so that you can stay on top of car maintenance.

Value may not always be monetary – it can be difficult to scrap or sell a car which has sentimental value, so it always pays to take care of your car.

A car service may seem like an expense at the time, but it is far better than the cost of dealing with a breakdown.

 

Are There Any Checks I Can Do At Home?

Between services, there are some checks you can do regularly to ensure that your vehicle is working as efficiently as possible.

You should inspect the following components and fluids from time to time to make sure they are working as they should be:

Be sure to check your tyres – and the spare tyre – every 2 weeks for any uneven wear, punctures or cuts. The tyre tread needs to be within the legal limit too – something to think about in advance of any MOT tests.

 

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We hope that you have enjoyed learning about the importance of car servicing.