Your Guide to Car Servicing in Maidstone

It’s highly recommended to get your car or vehicle serviced regularly to keep it in the best condition. From an oil change to brake pad replacements and engine diagnostics, a quality car service will prolong the life of your vehicle and prevent costly issues. In this post, we’ll answer the most common questions we get asked about car servicing at our garage in Maidstone.

Is car servicing a legal requirement?

No. Although car servicing is highly recommended, it’s not a legal requirement like an MOT is.

However, most of the problems faced by older cars can be put down to a lack of routine servicing. Minor issues are easy to spot during a service and usually cheap to sort. But when these minor problems are left unresolved, they quickly lead to larger issues you’ll pay more to fix.

Does my car need to be serviced by a Main Dealer?

Since 2003, any garage can provide servicing for your car – you don’t have to go to the main dealer. Even if your car is still under warranty, you can have your car serviced by any independent, reliable garage without it being voided.

As an independent garage, we advise our customers to shop around when it comes to servicing. Main dealers often overcharge for basic servicing, whereas you’ll get a more comprehensive service at a better price with local, independent garages.

Does a service history increase the value of my car?

Yes. The service history of your car will directly influence the vehicle’s value. In fact, the CAP HPI (car valuations specialist) says sellers lose thousands of pounds when selling a car without a service history.

This is because a service history shows the car has been kept in good working order throughout its life. Without this, buyers have a higher risk of something going wrong with the car and will probably choose to buy something else.

Major, full or interim service: which is best?

Car servicing comes in different levels. Interim is the simplest option that needs to be done on a six-month basis. It involves an oil and filter change and a check of major components. Although this is usually too frequent for most cars.

A full service is the most popular option. This is a more comprehensive service that cars usually have once a year. Major parts are checked, the fluids refilled, oil and filters changed, and any other necessary work will be carried out.

A major service involves more evaluation and maintenance, including new spark plugs. This one is done once every two years, so needs to be a little more thorough.

Do I need to service my car if I’ve had an MOT?

Yes, both are needed. MOTs are legally required to check the safety of the car, including the condition of the brakes and tyres. However, it doesn’t involve maintenance like engine oil and filter changes that keep your car running efficiently.

Book a car service in Maidstone

If your car hasn’t had a service in a while, it’s time to book it in. We provide full vehicle servicing in Maidstone, including oil change and brake tightening, wheel alignment, engine diagnostics, visual check of suspension dampers, filter replacements, and battery testing.

Let’s keep your car running smoothly – call us today for a free quote for your car’s service:  01622 761 184