High mileage servicing: what your car really needs
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Cars that cover a higher than average mileage will require more regular maintenance to keep them in optimal condition. This is because the increase in mileage correlates to increased wear and tear on vehicle components, and minor issues that would ordinarily be identified in an annual service could develop into more serious faults before a professional is consulted.
Options for preventative maintenance
If you are covering high mileage (that is to say, more than 12,000 miles a year), you should familiarise yourself with a number of simple maintenance tasks such as checking your vehicle's fluid levels (for example, oil, coolant and screen wash), tyre tread depth and tyre air pressure. By regularly monitoring these key areas, you will quickly notice changes which could be early indicators of a problem, allowing you to resolve them before they develop into a significant issue.
You could also book your vehicle in for interim servicing. This is a service offered by Protyre garages as a high mileage service in the UK, conducted approximately every 6 months, with the primary aim being to keep your vehicle in optimal condition in between its regular annual services and MOTs.
Whether you choose to maintain your vehicle yourself or book it in for interim servicing, you should still be aware of how it drives, handles and sounds, and report any changes to your garage swiftly so that they can inspect your vehicle and check it is safe and roadworthy. Your safety and that of other road users is always your mechanic's priority, so don't hesitate to consult them, even if there is no warning light showing on your dashboard.
What is checked on an interim service?
During an interim service, your brakes, tyres, suspension and lights will be checked as well as all fluid levels, and your oil and air filters will be changed if necessary. Your mechanic will check the battery health and advise of any defects that they have identified, recommending an appropriate course of action depending on the nature of the fault.
Your tyre health will be checked, and if any serious inadequacies are identified, replacements can be fitted from brands such as Pirelli or Sumitomo.
What you can do to keep your vehicle in optimal condition
You should always try to drive smoothly, in the right gear, avoiding harsh braking or rapid acceleration, as aggressive driving puts increased wear and tear on your engine.
Try and clean your vehicle on a regular basis. Not only will this keep it looking good, but it will allow you to identify any areas of rust that are developing so that they can be treated. Rust occurs when salt deposits from the road settle on the vehicle, and if left unchecked, it can degrade metal components, causing early failures, so wash off salt deposits regularly.
You may choose to use a fuel system cleaner or a higher-quality fuel to help keep your vehicle running smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
100,000 miles is the point at which many major components, such as timing belts and water pumps are due to be replaced, and if you are covering a mileage, it will come around sooner than expected. If you have looked after your car up to this point, you will have little to worry about and simply need to book a 100k service in which components that are due replacement will be replaced.
Don't be afraid of buying a high mileage car if it has been well maintained. Check the service history in the owner's manual as well as the MOT history on the DVLA online portal to see whether the vehicle has been proactively maintained throughout its lifetime. If needed, book an inspection by your chosen mechanic to set your mind at ease before you part with your money.
Most vehicles cover up to 12,000 miles a year, and this aligns nicely with an annual service. If the vehicle has covered more than 12,000 miles a year, it is considered to be a high mileage vehicle. As explained above, this is not necessarily a problem, you just need to be more vigilant in your maintenance schedule, ensuring that components are replaced on time and defects are identified and remedied early.