What Does a Car Service Include?

Bulbs, brakes, battery health – your car has a lot of different components that need looking after to keep you road-ready. But do these parts get checked when you take your car to be serviced?

Whether you’ve been behind the wheel for longer than you can remember or you’re a complete beginner, we’re here to answer all your questions so you can make an informed decision on your vehicle’s maintenance. Ready to take a peek under the bonnet?

Different Types of Car Services, Explained

While the specifics of a car service typically depend on what garage and what type of service you’re after, all services involve a visual check of your car, as well as manual checks on key components like the gearbox and brakes.

However, it’s important to note that there’s a few different levels to it. Let’s break it down:

• Interim Car Service: 6-month intervals, including oil and filter changes, diagnostics, and visual inspections
• Full Car Service: 12-month intervals, including all of the above, plus a comprehensive inspection of brake systems, steering, tyres and beyond.
• Major Car Service: 24-month intervals, including all of the above, plus replacement parts such as air filter and spark plugs.

Car Service vs. MOT: What’s the Difference?

An MOT is a mandatory annual test that ensures your vehicle meets safety and environmental standards. Without a valid MOT certificate, your car will not be road legal and you’re at risk of a £1,000 fine.

On the other hand, a service is a proactive maintenance check that goes beyond just meeting requirements; it’s a deep dive into the overall health of your vehicle. Anything from the oil to your braking system, a service helps to swifty identify and fix faults to prevent drastic issues later down the line.

Many opt to book their MOT and service at the same time, to ensure their pride and joy comes out of the garage performing at its best.

What Does a Car Service Include?

Resetting Service Light and Full Fault Memory Check

A full fault memory check is carried out using diagnostic equipment, alongside a printed report of any stored issues. The service light is also reset as part of the process.

Oil Change and Filter Replacement

Regularly swapping out your vehicle’s engine oil and filter may seem like a small task, but it’s a big deal for your car’s longevity.

• Oil change: Engine oil ensures all components run smoothly. Regular oil changes prevent friction, heat buildup and potential damage, ultimately extending your engine’s life.
• Oil filter change: Think of the oil filter as your car’s purification system. It sieves out impurities, debris and contaminants from the oil, ensuring only clean lubricant circulates. Oil filter changes help to protect your engine from wear and tear, enhancing its overall performance.
• What we do: Our process includes removing the old oil filter, renewing every seal in the filter housing, installing a new filter, and tightening all components to the manufacturer’s specified torque settings.

Luckily, this is a fiddly job that will get ticked off during your service – no need for you to worry.

Spark Plug Replacement (Major Service)

As part of a major service, the ignition coils are removed so the old spark plugs can be taken out and replaced with new ones, which are then refitted and torqued to the correct specification before the ignition coils are reinstalled. This ensures efficient combustion, smoother engine performance and better fuel economy.

Air Filter & Cabin Filter Renewal

During the service, the old air filter is removed, the airbox is thoroughly cleaned of any debris, and a new filter is refitted and secured.

The cabin (pollen) filter is also replaced, with any trapped leaves or debris cleaned from its housing. Together, these filters ensure that both your engine and your cabin continue breathing clean, fresh air.

Headlight Check and Bulb Replacement

Your car’s headlights are its eyes on the road, and they play a significant role in your safety.

Over time, bulbs can dim or burn out. Regular headlight checks ensure your bulbs are doing their job effectively. From alignment to brightness, these inspections make sure your lights are shining as they should.

Plus, a comprehensive car service will include replacing faulty bulbs if necessary. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in your nighttime driving experience.

Engine Diagnostics: Understanding Your Vehicle

A full inspection of your engine is integral. Vehicle diagnostics includes checking all the inner workings, from your engine’s fluid levels to the timing belt. It’s like your car’s internal health checkup. Early detection of problems can save you time, money, and a lot of headaches.

Underbody and Suspension Inspection

With the vehicle raised, technicians carry out a full under-vehicle inspection, checking the brakes, suspension arms, steering components, exhaust system, heat shields and the general condition of the underside. Any excessive wear, corrosion or damage is carefully noted and reported.

Servicing Car Brakes: Safety First

Brake servicing is non-negotiable. Brake defects contribute to almost 500 car accidents in the UK each year, so keeping your car’s brake system in good shape is paramount to safety on the road – both for yourself and for other drivers.

A well-maintained brake system ensures safe driving by retaining the responsiveness of your brakes, helping to reduce stopping distance and prevent collisions. It’s the difference between a close call and a safe stop.

However, servicing your brakes isn’t just about changing pads. It involves inspecting various components, such as the rotors, clips and calipers, flushing out and replacing brake fluid, alongside cleaning and lubricating the entire system. All in all, this guarantees that your brakes are up to the task when you need them most.

Servicing Steering and Handling

A properly serviced steering system ensures precise control, responsiveness, and overall stability while driving. Steering servicing isn’t just about preventing issues; it enhances your overall driving experience. You’ll notice improved maneuverability, better cornering, and a more comfortable ride.

Over time, steering systems can develop issues like stiffness, vibrations, or misalignment. Regular servicing identifies these problems early, preventing costly repairs down the road.

Brake Fluid Check and Coolant Levels

Brake fluid is responsible for transmitting the force from your foot to your brakes, ensuring you can stop when you need to. Brake fluid isn’t something you can “set and forget.” It absorbs moisture over time, which can compromise your braking effectiveness.

Regularly flushing out the old fluid and refilling it helps to prevent this issue and keep you safe on the road, maintaining optimal braking performance.

In addition, checking your coolant levels is also key. Your engine generates a lot of heat, and coolant keeps it from overheating. Without adequate coolant, your engine can suffer serious damage. A car service ensures your coolant levels are just right, so your engine stays at the right temperature under pressure.

Maintaining Tyre Health

Your tyres go through thick and thin, driving across various terrains, experiencing harsh weather conditions, all while shouldering your car’s weight and gripping the road.

That’s why it’s important to frequently inspect your tyres to ensure they’re still up to the job. During your car service, the experts will inspect your tyres for alignment issues, visible damage such as cuts, punctures or bulges and to see if your tread depth is below the 1.6mmm legal limit. They’ll also ensure your tyres are correctly inflated, a critical factor for both safety and fuel efficiency.

Battery Health Check

A battery test using a traffic-light system provides a clear and simple reading: green indicates a healthy battery, amber shows it’s weakening and may soon need attention, and red means the battery is failing and requires replacement. This helps ensure you won’t be caught out by a sudden non-start.

Lubrication of Hinges & Catches

A thorough service includes cleaning and lubricating the door hinges, door catches, and bonnet hinges and catches, helping to prevent stiffness, squeaking, and long-term wear.

Schedule Your Service at Vasstech

In the world of car care, it’s the little things that add up to a safer, smoother, and more enjoyable ride. From oil changes and brake servicing to keeping your tyres road-ready, a car service covers it all.

At Vasstech, we’ve got the expertise and dedication to make your car service an exceptional experience.

Don’t hesitate – book your car service with us today and discover the difference for yourself. Your car will thank you, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of a car that’s always ready for the road.