What Is a Car Service?

A car service is an in-depth health check designed to ensure that your vehicle runs as safely and smoothly as possible. 

Whilst car servicing may not be mandatory in the same way an MOT is, a service is actually more thorough when it comes to checking the health and condition of your vehicle. 

What Is a Car Service?

A car service is a combination of visual checks and vital maintenance jobs that's designed to keep your car running smoothly.

It's one of the most vital things you can book for your vehicle (probably second only to the legally required MOT test) and a good way to assess its overall health.

During your car's service, a qualified technician will inspect various safety and mechanical components to ensure everything is in good condition.

While these checks can vary from garage to garage, they will generally involve the following:

• Brakes
• Tyres
• Lights
• Engine oil & oil filter
• Coolant, brake fluid and other fluid top-ups

Some car services may include air conditioning checks, suspension inspections, other filter changes and even a complimentary wash and valet!

How Will I Know What I Get During My Car's Service?

It can be confusing to book direct with a local garage, especially if you don't understand the jargon they use or what's included in their service levels.

Most importantly, that makes it incredibly difficult to be sure you've got the best deal!

Here at BookMyGarage, we've simplified the process.

All garages listed on our comparison site offer interim, full and major services according to our service schedules.

This means you're always comparing 'like-for-like' prices - so when you book the cheapest option near you, you know you're getting the very best price.

While it's easy to book an appointment through us, you can't book the right car service for your vehicle if you don't know what it needs.

Here's when to book an Interim, Full and Major service for best results.

Does My Car Need an Interim, Full or Major Service?

Whilst a full service is the most popular form of car service in the UK, there are various levels of car service to choose from.

A full service is more extensive than an interim service, with a major service being the most comprehensive check of the three.

The car service your vehicle needs will depend on how many miles you cover in a year.

For the best results, we would advise that you book a full car service every 12 months - or 12,000 miles - and a major service every 24 months - or 24,000 miles.

High-mileage drivers can book an additional interim service every 6 months - or 6,000 miles.

Full Service

A full service includes 40 checks, such as an oil and filter change, fluid top ups and an in-depth inspection of the moving parts of your vehicle. 

Parts like the brakes, steering, suspension system and tyres will be checked. 

Interim Service

If you are a high-mileage driver, or own an older car, then an interim service can help you to ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly. 

A BookMyGarage interim service includes checks of the following items:

• Oil change
• Oil filter change
• Screenwash top-up
• Coolant top-up
• Brake fluid top-up
• Power steering fluid top-up
• AdBlue (diesels only, additional charge)
• Check external lights operation
• Check instrument warning lights operation
• Check horn operation
• Check condition of windscreen wipers
• Check windscreen washers
• Check for oil leaks
• Check antifreeze strength & advise if replacement needed (additional charge)
• Check timing belt replacement & internals & advice
• Visual check of brake pad wear
• Check tyre condition
• Check tyre depth
• Check tyre pressure & adjust
• Check condition of steering rack gaiters
• Check exhaust condition
• Check clutch fluid level (if applicable)
• Check for any transmission oil leaks
• Reset service light (if applicable)
• Stamp printout of BookMyGarage service schedule

Major Service

During a major service, a mechanic will inspect the components of your vehicle that are designed to last 2 to 3 years, but that still need attention if they are to last longer. 

A BookMyGarage major service includes 60 checks - covering everything from the full service checklist, in addition to the following:

• Replacement fuel filter (if fitted externally, else replacement pollen filter)
• Door operation
• Bonnet operation
• Operation of all locks
• Pollen filter condition & advise if replacement needed (extra charge if fuel filter replaced)
• Ait conditioning system operation
• Radiator cap
• Electrical coolant fan (if applicable)
• Change spark plugs (dependent on age and mileage, extra cost)
• Clutch operation

What a BookMyGarage Car Service Can Do For You

When you book a full service through BookMyGarage, you get to compare prices 'like-for-like' to find the best garage for you.

You can save up to 70% when you compare servicing costs through our online comparison site. 

You will know exactly what our full service schedule includes, so you can be confident that you are getting exceptional value for money from your chosen garage.

Visit the BookMyGarage website, and compare garages based on ratings and unfiltered reviews to find the perfect one to perform your car service. 

FAQs