What does a car service include?

Owning a car comes with quite a few responsibilities — carefully maintaining and servicing your car among them. But what does a car service include? The answer depends on the type of service you choose, your car, and the garage you go to.

Read on to learn about the different types of car services available and what each one involves, as well as how often you should service your car and how much a service typically costs.

The different types of car services and what they include

The two main types of car services are interim and full. Some garages also offer a “major” car service, which is similar to a full service but is more comprehensive and might include more maintenance work.

Checks and packages will likely vary from garage to garage, so it’s best to find out what’s included in your chosen provider’s service beforehand. Here’s a general overview of what’s usually on offer in each of the three types of car services:

1. Interim car service

An interim car service is designed to be carried out every 6,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. It’s not a substitute for a full service. However, if you use your car frequently throughout the year, an interim service helps you take care of any issues before they become more serious.

Garages might offer different checks in their interim service package, but in general, they’ll usually include fluid checks — such as oil change, brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant clutch fluid level, and transmission fluid leaks — and an inspection of your car’s main parts. These parts include:

• The brakes, including checking for any wear on the brake pads
• Engine checks, to make sure there aren’t any leaks and to inspect the timing belt
• Lights, both exterior and interior ones
• Car battery
• Wheels and tyres, including checking the tyre pressure and rotating the tyres
• Windscreen wipers and washers
• Seatbelts
• ABS
• Exhaust system

2. Full car service

Manufacturers and mechanics recommended that you get a full car service after 12 months or after every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you had an interim car service earlier in the year, it’s still important to get a full service done. This is because a full service includes a more detailed inspection of your car.

A full service should include everything that an interim service does, as well as additional inspections and work such as:

• An air filter replacement and an inspection of your pollen filter (which will be replaced if needed).
  
  
• A more thorough interior inspection, checking for things such as cracks in your windshield, the condition of locks, whether hinges need lubrication, seat belt operation, etc.
  
  
• A thorough engine check, including your radiator, the cooler hose and heater tanks, auxiliary belts, and the fuel system and tank.
  
  
• Detailed checks of your brakes and brake fluids, including a visual check of the brake discs, making sure the hand brake works as it should, checking the brake pipes and hoses, and replacing anything if needed.
  
  
• Steering and suspension checks, making sure the shock absorber and components are in good shape, inspecting the road springs, checking the wheel bearer, etc.
  
  
• A detailed transmission check to make sure the transmission is in good shape and to carry out any required maintenance work. The goal is to keep your gear shifting smooth.

3. Major car service

A major car service is recommended after 24,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first. It usually includes the same checks as a full service, except in more detail and with more maintenance work. For example, the garage usually replaces additional wearable parts and consumables, such as spark plugs and fuel filters.

How is getting your car serviced different from an MOT check?

Cars that are at least three years old (four years in Northern Ireland) must be tested every year to check that they meet road safety and environmental standards. This check is known as the MOT test.

Unlike car services, an MOT is a legal requirement for cars that have reached the age requirement. It’s worth noting that it’s less thorough than even an interim service: your assessor won’t inspect the car’s general condition or your engine, gearbox, or clutch.

Here’s a diagram showing what parts of your car are checked in an MOT test:

You can learn more about the MOT checklist here.

Getting an MOT each year doesn’t mean you should skip getting your car serviced. This is because a car service helps keep your car in good condition and prolong its lifespan. A car that’s been regularly serviced is also easier to sell and is more valuable than one that isn’t.

How often do I need to get my car serviced?

It’s generally recommended to at least get a full service once a year, or after 12,000 miles. If you use your car regularly (around 15,000 to 20,000 miles a year or more), getting an interim service halfway through the year, and a full service at the year’s end, can help maintain its condition.

Additionally, getting a major car service every two years or 24,000 miles can help to keep your car in good nick for longer.

More info: How often should you service your car?

How much does a car service cost in the UK?

Getting your car serviced can cost anywhere from £110 to £400, depending on the type of service you go for, your car size, the garage (and its location), and whether any additional work or replacements are needed. In general:

• An interim service can cost between £110 and £180
• A full service can cost between £170 and £210, and possibly above £400 for large cars
• A major service can cost between £220 and £300 or more

If you’re looking to get your car serviced, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from at least three different garages. Keep in mind that each garage may have different packages that include slightly different checks, so it’s best to ask for a detailed breakdown of what’s included and the price of each offering.

Read more: How much is a car service?

How long does a car service take?

The time it takes for a car service depends on the type of service you choose, your car’s size, and whether the mechanic identifies any issues. In general, though, an interim car service should take around one and a half hours, a full service might take around three to four hours, and a major car service can take four to five hours to complete.

Quickfire summary: What does a car service include?

There are three main types of car service: interim, full, and major services.

An interim service includes fluid checks and an inspection of your car’s main parts. A full car service includes dozens of checks to confirm that your car’s various parts are functioning as they should. And a major service comprises the same checks as a full service and additional comprehensive maintenance work.

While getting your car serviced regularly ensures it continues performing as it should, and keeps its various parts well maintained, it doesn’t protect it from every problem. Theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters, and other unforeseen circumstances can also endanger your car. Howden’s car insurance offers protection for your car from a wide range of risks.

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Also read:

• Is my car insured? How to check using askMID
• How to tax a car: Your complete guide
• Your guide to low-mileage car insurance
• READ MORECAR INSURANCE GUIDES