For many, car servicing is like going to the dentist. You know you should do it, you’ve done it before, but it’s such a chore. And sometimes so expensive. But, failure to properly maintain your vehicle could end up costing you a lot more in the long run. A bit like the dentist.
Vehicle manufacturers have their own schedule of services. These often consist of an initial service after running in (sometimes included free with a new car purchase), or a service at 12,000 miles or one year, whichever comes soonest. Thereafter, they can differ wildly from manufacturer to manufacturer but the rule of thumb is every year with cam belts normally being advised between 48-60k miles (for cars that have them).
It’s worth considering at this stage that manufacturers will have spent millions of pounds, and months, if not years thoroughly testing their vehicles to see at which point consumable items are likely to wear and out and need replacing. You can always chance missing the odd service, but it’s like missing that visit to the dentist. You may end up saving a few quid, but equally, you may be risking more complicated emergency solutions further down the line.
Some manufacturers, BMW Mini for example, have an excellent ‘service package’ which you can pre-buy which covers all your basic servicing costs for a period of tiume. This helps take the worry out of the immediate ongoing running costs of your new car. These service packs are often transferrable between subsequent new owners too.
As well as the manufacturer recommended service items, routine servicing can also help highlight issues before they become a problem. A trained service technician will know what he or she is looking at far more than the average guy on the street. Some parts, belts being a good case in point, will gradually wear and eventually they will probably snap. Service schedules will factor in their replacement without you (hopefully) being left stranded at the roadside.
Regular Oil changes are critical to help save wear and tear on engines as well. As engines wear, they release tiny micro-particles or metal and other engine substances. Regular oil changes will flush these from the engines arteries, but leave it too long between oil changes and those contaminents will build up, making the oil thicker and blacker and causing more wear to the parts of the engine where metal comes into contact with metal…as well as clogging engine channels which could lead to catastrophic engine failure.
But, it’s also worth considering that cars with full manufacturer stamped service histories will be worth more at resale than those who don’t have this. Think about it. A buyer would rather know that you’ve looked after your car, at an expense, than just neglect it and run it into the ground. And by having full MANUFACTURER service history, you’re also adding in confidence that the correct parts have been used by the manufacturer trained technicians who work on that make or car, day in, day out.