What are a car service and an MOT test?

What are a car service and an MOT test?

You have to maintain your vehicle if you want it to serve your needs for a longer period of time. You do not need to worry about maintenance ideas since your carmakers deliver the vehicle with a detailed user guide. This document comes with all the necessary specifications for the maintenance of your car.

The user manual a proper schedule for proper Car Service and you just need to follow the guidelines.

Apart from the car service, the MOT test also examines the mechanical condition of your vehicle every year. But, the objectives and process of a car service and an MOT are totally different.

However, both are related to the safety and maintenance of your vehicle but they are not the same. You should not skip the car service for the MOT and vice versa.

In this blog, we will tell you some basic things about car service and the MOT test.

Have a glance and keep your vehicle in good condition!

What is a car service?

When you buy your car, your carmaker expects you to visit a garage for a routine checkup of your vehicle according to a preset schedule. When you visit the garage, the mechanic will check different parts of your vehicle to detect the signs of wear and tear. He will make necessary changes to improve the condition of the vehicle.

The main objective of a car service is spotting any mechanical issues that may take a serious form in the future.

Visiting a garage regularly will help you to increase the total lifespan of your vehicle. Moreover, you will travel always with a complete peace of mind since you are sure that your car has no serious issues.

What does a garage include in a car service?

Your mechanic will check the parts of your car according to the policies of the garage and the type of service you choose. Some garages offer an interim service and a full service. Other service stations offer major car services as well.

At the time of a car service, the mechanic will check the components according to the schedule. You can, however, inform the mechanic if you have observed any danger signs in a part of your vehicle.

Generally, the mechanic will check the charging port, cables and connections if you have an electric car.

Other checks during a car service may include, engine oil and oil filter, brakes and steering, lights, tyres, bodywork, exhaust system, fluid and coolant level, car battery, and suspension system.

Types of car service

Car service stations generally offer 3 types of services called interim, full, and major.

Experts recommend an interim car service every 6 months or 6000 miles. During the service, a mechanic may check lights, tyres, brakes, suspension, steering, and fluid levels. Some garages may offer oil changes and oil filter replacements during the service.

Your vehicle needs a full car service every 12 months or 12000 miles.

The mechanic will check everything that is a part of the interim car service. moreover, the mechanic will examine sir cleaner replacement, fuel filter replacement, an inspection of vacuum hose and alternator hose, an inspection of the parking brake, wheels rotations etc.

You need to visit a garage for a major car service after every 24 months or 24.000 miles. 

This type of service includes all the components that a mechanic covers during the full service.

Extra changes in the major service include replacement of brake fluid, spark plug replacement, automatic transmission oil level inspection, car battery replacement, odour and allergy filter replacement etc.

What is an MOT test?

The MOT test is a legal test that is mandatory for all car drivers in the UK. According to the guidelines of MOT, you have to submit your vehicle to an authorized MOT center every year to get a valid MOT certificate.

This certificate proves that your car is roadworthy and it follows all the safety guidelines made by DVSA.

During the test, the tester will check the vital parts of your car but he would not make any changes to its condition. Your vehicle will fail its test if it has major or dangerous faults.

This is the basic difference between a car service and an MOT Harlesden test.