All that you need to know about car servicing and MOT in the UK: A detailed guide for car owners.
When you are a car owner in the UK, there are numerous responsibilities that you cannot ignore. Maintaining your safety and reducing your vehicle’s impact on the environment are some of the important ones. These concerns are what forms the MOT Check Rugby, which is an annual test for your vehicle in the UK. The test is to ensure your vehicle is safe for driving on the roads, and follows all the standards of environmental protection. The MOT also brings in the importance of car servicing. While the MOT is a legal requirement, servicing is often ignored. However, they both are important to maintain your vehicle's safety, performance, and longevity.
Understanding the basics of car servicing and MOT.
MOT (Ministry of Transport) test: This is an annual examination for every vehicle that is over three years old in the UK. A significant role of this test is to ensure that your vehicle is meeting the minimum safety and environmental standards. The test is a comprehensive home, and includes around 20 different components. An MOT usually includes the following:
Seatbelts, doors, and mirrors
Boot and bonnet
Steering, tyres, wheels, TPMS, and suspension
Battery, electrical wiring, and electrical system
Fuel system and exhaust system
Horns, lights, and signals
Brakes, clutch, and gearbox
Windscreen and windscreen wipers
Signals and lights
Registration plate, VIN, and body structure.
Car Servicing: Contrary to the MOT, car servicing is not a legal requirement. However, experts suggest timely car services for your vehicle’s top condition. A servicing usually includes a thorough check of your vehicle's systems and components. With regular servicing, you can be sure that your vehicle will function safely and reliably. Plus, you can avoid costly repairs because a thorough check up also helps in identifying potential issues early. Depending on the type of car service you choose, the following are included:
1.Full service:
Engine oil, fuel filter, brake fluid change.
Battery, charging system, and cooling system check.
Air filter, power steering fluid, and wiper fluid replacement.
Wheels, tyres, steering, and suspension test.
Horn and lights check.
Brakes, exhaust, and wipers inspection.
Full diagnostic inspection for engine, transmission, power steering, sensors, and many more.
2. Interim service:
An interim service includes all checks of a full service, except the diagnostic checks and a few filter replacements.
3. Major service:
A major service is one where you get all the services included in a full one, with a customised package. This is usually for older cars or ones that require special services.
The importance of car servicing and MOT.
When you consider the MOT, it ensures that your vehicle meets the safety standards. Meanwhile, car servicing is important for maintaining your vehicle’s overall health. But, what are the benefits you enjoy when you consider them together? Let’s look at some of these benefits in the list below:
Successful MOTs: Regular servicing can help you to identify and fix issues that might lead to an MOT failure. For example, worn-out brake pads or faulty lights are common reasons for MOT failures. When you fix such minor issues on time, you can save the hassle and cost of such failure.
Better performance: Both the MOT and car servicing checks and tests some of the most critical parts of your vehicle. Such tests ensure better safety, comfort, and even fuel efficiency. This is why together they can improve your vehicle’s performance.
Cost savings: With timely tests and servicing, you can identify any minor issue early on. Identifying problems early also leads to their timely repairs. This can prevent greater issues in the long run that might end up costing you more. Hence, with a few investments, you are reducing expensive repairs and even preventing sudden breakdowns of your car.
Common myths related to car servicing and MOT.
The amount of information related to servicing and testing in the UK is overwhelming. Among these, you will also find some myths that most car owners believe. Here are some that you should avoid falling for:
A car that has passed the MOT does not need a service: Passing the MOT will not guarantee that your car is in optimal condition. The test is completed within a day and is valid for a year. You cannot depend on the test for a year’s safety checks. Hence, servicing is essential to check and fix issues not covered in the MOT Rugby.
Car servicing is too expensive: The expenses of servicing are significant, especially for car owners on a budget. However, you should consider it as investing in your vehicle. Avoiding maintenance to prevent such expenses will cost you more in the long run. Routine servicing helps you avoid the expenses of major repairs and breakdowns in the future.
Car servicing is vital only when there is a fault/malfunction: If you have been waiting for a problem to arise, then your car might not last long. Avoiding services until a major fault puts strain on the other components of your vehicle, turning into greater issues, and even safety risks.
If you want to ensure that your car lasts long and performs well under all conditions, timely car servicing and MOTs are the way to go. Invest in comprehensive Car Servicing Rugby for successful testing and a better driving experience.
