How An Electric Car Service Can Help You Save Money

A car service is a fantastic way to take care of your vehicle. It is recommended that drivers have their car serviced every twelve months to ensure everything is running as it should be, and that the car is safe and efficient.

 

Just like any vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE), your electric car will also need servicing. This will not only keep your EV safe, but also could end up saving you money in the long run.

 

Do Electric Vehicles Need Servicing?

Even though electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain overall, that doesn’t mean you can neglect them. Electric cars need to be serviced just the same as an ICE vehicle does.

 

Servicing your electric car when recommended will increase its lifespan and reliability. You should book an electric car service every one to two years, depending on manufacturer guidance.

 

How Does an Electric Car Service Differ to an ICE Car Service?

Of course, your electric car is built completely differently to an ICE vehicle. The biggest difference is the fact there is no engine, rather an electric battery. This means that your electric car does not need oil, fluids, and oil filter changes.

 

• Electric Motor. Your mechanic will need to ensure your EV’s main power source is working correctly.

• HV Inverters & Chargers. Without inverters and chargers, EVs wouldn’t work properly. An inverter provides power for the electric motor and the converter changes the voltage. The charging cable and port will also need checking.

• Battery Health Check. As a crucial component of an EV, this needs specialist care and attention. In an ICE, a quick inspection may be enough to determine the battery’s health, but an EV mechanic will connect the battery to specialist equipment and analyse the data.

• No Clutch. Electric cars are fully automatic, so there is no clutch system operation.

• No Timing Belt or Spark Plugs. EVs have neither of these which removes them from their service schedule.

• No Exhaust. As there are no waste products in an electric car, they don’t need an exhaust. This means there are no emissions checks.

 

How Much Does an Electric Car Service Cost?

An electric car service will cost you anywhere between £70 and £250, depending on the make and model of your EV. According to our data, the average cost of an electric car service is £103.

 

According to our bookings data, an electric car service costs a third less than an ICE car service. This is because electric cars require less labour, as well as fewer replacement parts and fluids. It may be worth noting that only 16% of mechanics are qualified to work on electric vehicles, so you may have to factor in travel costs to travel to a garage which can accommodate you.

 

Three Ways an Electric Car Service Can Save You Money

Some drivers will put off or skip getting a service due to the upfront cost. However, having your electric car serviced regularly can save you money in the long run.

 

It Catches Issues Before They Develop

When a mechanic services your car, they will look at the inner workings of your EV. For example, your suspension will be checked during a service. If any of the suspension system is showing any signs of wear and tear, they may advise you replace a certain aspect.

 

If you skip your car service, this issue may be left undetected for an extended amount of time. This may mean that you must pay out to replace the entire suspension system, or even cause further damage to other aspects of the vehicle. This will work out much more expensive than the cost of a service!

 

Your Car Could Be Worth More with a Full-Service History

There have been numerous studies that suggest that your car is worth between 10 – 20% more with a full service history. This means that should you ever decide to sell your electric car, you could be missing out on hundreds of pounds.

 

Most people ask to see the service history before they buy a car. This allows them to see which jobs have been completed recently, to give them a better idea of what routine maintenance may be upcoming. Without a service history, your potential buyer may be reluctant to buy the car at all.

 

It Prevents Unnecessary Breakdowns

As we mentioned, a service will pick up on any small issues that have the potential to cause the car damage further down the line. These issues, when left undetected, could not only cause expensive damage but could in fact lead to an unnecessary breakdown.

 

If you don’t have breakdown cover, recovery to a local garage can be costly, not to mention the cost of labour and maintenance to get your car back on the road. By booking an electric car service, you can minimise your chance of breakdowns.

 

How Can I Save Money on My Electric Car Service?

When you book your electric car service with BookMyGarage, you can compare the price of services between all the EV friendly garages in your area. We never charge any kind of booking fee, and you don’t have to pay anything until after the service is complete.

 

When you enter your EV’s registration plate, our comparison website will only show you garages that are qualified to work on your electric car, so you don’t have to waste time scanning websites to see if they are suited to your needs. You can also read reviews and see how far the garage is from your postcode.

 

 

Read More

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Regenerative braking is a useful feature your EV uses every time you drive it. Find out everything you need to know here.

 

Why Every Mechanic Should Get EV Trained Now

Only 16% of mechanics are qualified to work on electric cars. Find out here why every mechanic should be EV trained, and how it can benefit your garage.

 

Electric Public Transport in the UK

From electric bikes and scooters to electric buses, here are some ways in which the public transport has been electrified, and what we expect in the coming years.

 

What Will Become of the ICE Vehicle?

As we approach the ban of selling new cars after 2035, you may wonder what will happen to all the ICE vehicles on our roads. We explore what will happen, and how the UK’s roads will be affected.