Although cars have to be MOTed by law, which checks that certain systems and components meet particular requirements and certify your car as road safe, to increase your car’s lifespan, annual servicing is needed. Servicing checks on parts that need replacing or topping up, like sump washers, spark plugs and oil filters, because not replacing old, worn components can cause damage and leave it running less efficiently. Annual oil changes should be carried out, for example, though for vehicles covering distances of 6000 miles more often than this, it is recommended that more frequent oil changes are conducted. Therefore if you want less chance of expensive car bills in the future, ensure you book your car in for a full service annually.

Car engines are a central part of a vehicle, and they can be costly to repair if things go wrong. That is why it is recommended that regular vehicle servicing is carried out. Many checks are made on car engines during a service, such as engine oil draining and fitting replacement oil filters complete with new lubricant. It is important to change oil because over time, it degrades which can result in detritus damaging the cylinders of your engine. Spark plug replacement and fitting of new air filters is also carried out. Checking of coolant strength and amounts is carried out, and extra fluids are added where required to prevent overheating and freezing in extreme temperatures. This is also part of winter car check services that Longton Motor Services can complete for you.

There are another three important car systems – drive power and controls, suspension and steering. Whatever car make you have, from VW to Lexus, Mitsubishi to Mercedes and Honda, they are all controlled by these essential systems. Garages will look at fluids in gear boxes, power steering systems and clutches and if levels in reservoirs are too low, additional product will be added. Inspections of larger mechanical parts is also done to detect cracks and damage, and to ensure vehicle parts they are strong and secure. This would include steering rack gaitors, clutches and drive shafts. Finally, shock absorbers, springs and wheel bearings are checked to ensure they are in good condition and check there isn’t too much play.

You can choose from three servicing types for your car: interim services for between annual full services, or major 2 year services. Some more general car parts are checked when car servicing is completed in addition to carrying out more specific vehicle system inspections like checking suspension, fuel systems and brakes. Having adequate visibility is required and the driver’s view of the road cannot be obscured, which means wind screen wipers need to function correctly and smudging or streaking shouldn’t occur. All lights need to be fully functioning, in particular when weather conditions are poor, such as in fog, or overnight. Glass in windscreens should also be of decent quality, and not have marking caused by blades on wipers or be affected by cracks or scratches that might cause interference with driver visibility.

Servicing cars can be beneficial in a variety of ways, whether you have hired out fleet cars or are the owner of a company who provides employees with cars. If the demands of your job require you to travel by road, more strain will be placed upon your vehicle therefore carrying out a service will enable better performance, which should avoid any component failure that could have otherwise meant expensive repairs in the future. Keeping a check on exhaust, fuel and engine systems to ensure that they are working effectively will also minimise fuel usage and make certain that fuel is burnt more efficiently. Further to this, checks will be conducted on tyres for pressure, and to ensure that tread depth meets the 1.6mm minimum, as well as using a digital tyre balancer for wheels, which will potentially prevent further wear.

Various parts and features of brakes will be checked when a car service takes place which makes sure they are working effectively and assures you that adequate vehicle safety is maintained. Because of the importance of brake performance being maintained, brake fluids and shoes ought to be inspected routinely with damaged or worn out part replacements being carried out. Salt contained in grit used when roads are frozen can cause damage by corroding brake surfaces which could cause reductions in efficiency of performance of brakes. Servo inspections on brakes will also be carried out, in addition to inspecting drum brakes and composite discs to find damaged and worn parts that need repairing.