INTERIM & MAJOR SERVICES

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Part of being a responsible car owner includes paying to have your vehicle regularly serviced. However, because it is not an annual legal requirement (like an MOT is) there is sometimes confusion over how often you should have your car serviced, and which type of service you should have. So whether you’re a car owner for the first time and are unsure about the rules of servicing, or if you’d just like to clear a few things up, you will find this article rather useful!

Why should I have my car serviced?

Let’s start from the top and answer: why should any car owner get their car serviced regularly?

– It will help you when the time comes to sell it

– Keep it running as efficiently as possible (saving you money on fuel)

– Safer to drive

– Reduces the risk of any future breakdowns

– Maintain its value

Interim or full service?

When it comes to servicing, there are two options; interim or full. It’s always best to refer to the vehicle’s handbook but generally speaking, to determine which service to go for, you should follow the rule of:

– Full service is required after every 12,000 miles driven or 12 months

– Interim service is recommended after every 6,000 miles driven or 6 months

In other words, interim services are mainly carried out on vehicles that are used for shorter journeys and a full service for those that regularly do long journeys.

Interim service

An interim service generally checks levels of the fluids, including brake fluid, screen wash and anti-freeze coolant. In addition to this, it will also check the condition of the engine, such as the plugs and filter, as well as testing the batteries, lights and tyres.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of exactly what is checked in an interim service:

– Bodywork and mirrors etc.

– Timing belt interval

– ABS

– Warning lights

– All seatbelts

– Interior and exterior lights

– Front and rear windscreen wipers, washers and rear view mirror

– Fuel cap

– Air conditioning (if necessary)

– Power steering

– Auxiliary and fan belts

– Air filter

– Battery

– Clutch

– Handbrake operation

– Gearbox oil and axel oil topped up

– All fluid levels topped up

– Inspection for corrosion

– Engine oil replaced

– Oil filter replaced

– Steering and suspension

– Exhaust system

– Fuel lines, brake pipes, hoses and handbrake

– Checks for signs of leakage from cylinders/callipers

– Tyres

– Brake pads

– Drums and discs

– Exhaust emissions

Full service 

A full service is all of the above, plus the following:

– Door hinges, catches and locks

– Coolant system checked for leaks

– Engine cooling fan

– Operation of throttle checked

– Air filter replaced

– Condition of distributor cap

– Checks for engine and gearbox mounts for wear

– Starter motor cranking and security tests

– Visual inspections of radiator and coolant pipes

– All wheel bearings checked for noise

– Check condition of all wheels

– Check front and rear brakes

Following these checks, your service book will be stamped in recognition of the servicing which can be kept and shown as part of your vehicle’s history.

So now you know the exact difference between the two different servicings, but as we mentioned previously, it is worth referring to the vehicles handbook for more accurate information.