Despite its bombardment during the Second World War, the ancient city of Southampton has retained some of its medieval charm and successfully revamped itself as a 21st century bustling civic centre with some excellent shopping, and the giant glass-and-steel West Quay as its focus.

Southampton has a wide choice of family attractions and decent restaurants too. For food and refreshment try one of the city centre pubs dating back to Tudor times, such as the Red Lion in the High Street, which is steeped in history.

For art lovers the City Art Gallery and Millais Gallery host impressive collections. The newly restored Tudor House and Gardens in the Old Town is a good place to soak up Southampton’s 800 years of history, and the new Sea City Museum tells, among other things, the full Titanic story.

The M3 links Southampton with the M25 and London, and the M27 leads west towards Bournemouth and the West Country and east along the coast towards Brighton and the rest of the south of England. Car parking is relatively easy with numerous pay and display places throughout the city as well as free 2hr car parks, and if you stray a little further away you can find free parking on the streets.

FAQs

What is a Car Service?

A car service is a routine health check for your vehicle, completed by a local garage. A mechanic inspects various parts of your car, checking for excessive wear and tear and recommending repairs where needed.

A car service is the best way to keep your car in good condition and helps to avoid expensive repairs and breakdowns. Some of the items assessed in a car service are:

• Tyres
• Oil
• Filter
• Brakes
• Timing Belt
• Windscreen Wipers
• Exhaust
• Suspension
• Steering System

Is it Cheaper to Book an MOT and Service Together?

Many garages in Southampton offer a discount on their MOT price when you book a car service at the same time. That means booking an MOT and service together can make it much cheaper to keep your vehicle in good condition - so long as you choose a garage that offers a great deal.

Can I Get an MOT and Service in Southampton at the Same Time?

It's easy to book an MOT and service at a Southampton garage at the same time. In fact, you can see several benefits if you do so. These include:

Convenience. Rather than finding time for separate garage appointments, you can combine this vital car maintenance into one. This means that your car spends more time on the road and you keep your life on track.

Cost-Effective. Many garages offer an MOT discount if you combine it with a car service. The more thorough the service, the bigger the discount can be. This allows you to keep your car safe and in top condition for less.

Decreased Chance of a Breakdown. Knowing that your car meets the legal limits of safety and roadworthiness gives you peace of mind, but a service is far more detailed than the MOT test. If you get the two done at the same time, you get a better picture of the condition of your vehicle. Plus, you get the knowledge that it is less likely to break down or need expensive repairs any time soon.

If you’re looking to achieve all the above, then you should book these services together. Enter your reg and postcode to compare MOT and service deals in Southampton and book the best one.

How Often Should I Service My Car?

You should always follow the service intervals specified in your vehicle handbook. Most manufacturers recommend booking a full service every 12 months or 12,000 miles - whichever comes first. They may also recommend booking interim and major services, as well as oil and filter changes, at other intervals.

The frequency of servicing depends on two factors:

• Your driving style
• Your yearly mileage

If you are an aggressive driver or you travel more than 25,000 miles a year, you may wish to service your car more often. Similarly, if your car sits around for long periods of time, you may wish to service it more often to protect it against the negative effects of disuse.

We recommend servicing your car at the following intervals:

• Interim Service every 6 months or 6,000 miles (if you have a high yearly mileage)
• Full Service every 12 months or 12,000 miles
• Major Service every 24 months or 24,000 miles

What Are the Benefits of a Mobile Car Service?

Convenience - Rather than having to find time to take your car to a garage and then trying to keep your life on track without it, you can have your car service completed at a location that works best for you. This could be your driveway or a car park at work during your normal day. This helps you avoid disruption.

Flexibility - You may be able to book a mobile car service on a weekend, evening or even overnight, depending on the mobile mechanics in your area. If your schedule doesn’t really accommodate servicing at a traditional garage, this can make your life easier.

Transparency - You get to see what is happening during your mobile car service at all times. This makes it easier to trust the quality of the work and gives you the peace of mind that all the checks have been completed to the highest standard.

Cheaper - A mobile car service involves less overhead costs and expenses, so they are often at least competitively priced against, if not cheaper than most local garages.

If you think a mobile car service will benefit you, enter your vehicle reg and postcode to compare instant prices from mobile mechanics near you.