Choosing the Best Car Service: Interim vs. Full Service Explained
After the annual MOT, a regular car service is probably the most important way of keeping your car in good working order.
Full service vs interim service
The main two types of service are the 'interim' and 'full'. But what does each involve, and what is the main difference between full service and interim service?
An interim service (which we at Protyre refer to as our "Silver" service) is a 48-point check which includes: inspection of battery and lights, checks on wheel bearings/suspension, checks on fan and auxiliary belts, inspection of the driveshaft, and much more. The Silver service is a great option for drivers looking for peace of mind, who want to keep on top of things between annual checks, and drivers with relatively new cars.
A 'full' service (which we, at Protyre, refer to as our "Gold" service) is a comprehensive 59-point check which we recommend is done annually - or as an initial service if you have just bought a used vehicle. This service includes everything covered in the interim service PLUS air filter replacement, radiator checks, pollen filter checks, fuel filter checks, and more.
The main difference between interim and full service is the number of checks involved.
Why is Car Servicing important?
Although it is not a legal requirement, there are a number of compelling reasons why you should get your car serviced at regular intervals.
Firstly, if you have a new car, not having it serviced at the intervals outlined by the manufacturer can potentially invalidate the warranty.
Secondly, having a regular service gives professional mechanics the chance to identify and tackle any issues before they become serious/dangerous. This helps to keep your car safe and performing well. It can be surprising how much damage can go unnoticed to the untrained eye.
The third main reason is that regular servicing will help your car to maintain more of its value when it comes to resale. Many people are only prepared to buy cars with comprehensive service history, rather than those that have simply passed their MOT.
From a long-term perspective, it is likely to cost significantly less to have regular services that detect problems early than it would cost to only deal with things when they go badly wrong. Finally, regular servicing is proven to make your car last longer. This means that you will have to change your car less often
Contact your Local Protyre Garage to find your best option
Any parts that are fitted during any Protyre service are guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever is sooner. All services include a road test and service history stamp.
Both types of service include a comprehensive inspection of the tyres which covers tread-depth, tyre pressure, and general condition.
Technically you don’t need to take anything, as the service is not like the MOT where you must present certain paperwork; however, if you want to have a complete service history and you still have a service book, make sure you take it with you and get the servicing stamp and the bodywork check stamp. Some car manufacturers have now moved to service certificates, so you won’t have a service manual. Don’t forget your locking wheel nuts, if necessary, and don’t walk off with your car keys in your pocket!
Thanks to the European Union’s Block Exemption Regulations, you can have your car serviced anywhere without invalidating the warranty. This is good news, as it means you can shop around without being tied into dealership servicing, which can often be expensive.
You probably barely think about your car servicing. It’s running well and it works for your routine. It’s always been reliable for you, so you have no worries or concerns. Then, one day, you’re flying down the motorway and an unfamiliar engine warning light suddenly comes on. Panic sets in. It’s probably going to cost you a lot to fix the issue.
A regular car service can mitigate such problems arising and most definitely some of the associated unnecessary costs. It’s not a ‘nice to have’, rather, it’s an essential.