How long does a full car service take?
Different to an MOT, a full car service is a complete check of the whole car rather than simply checking where it’s currently at and if there are any issues that need to be addressed to the vehicle owner. Regular servicing your vehicle allows you to keep a close eye on the overall health of your car, and if there is any need for improvements you can pick them up early.
During a regular service, your vehicle will be checked to see if levels are correct, while topping up any fluids and gases, and checking that your critical systems are working as they should.
But how long does a full car service take? What’s included in a full car service? Depending on the model, it can take around 3-4 hours for a full car service, however, this depends on whether the garage finds any larger issues with your car.
How often should you get your car serviced?
It’s important to keep on top of what your manufacturer suggests, you should be looking at getting a full car service every 12 months or 12,000 miles. You should still check your manufacturers’ recommendations because every 12 months is just a rough guideline.
You may find that a specific part of your car model has worn out and needs replacing a while before your full car service. The last thing you need is to be driving around with an entirely worn-out part, not only is this bad for the condition of your vehicle but can also be dangerous for you while you’re out on the road.
Other services include:
- Interim services are recommended every 6 months or 6000 miles.
- Maintenance – if oil and filters need replacing.
- Manufacturer servicing based on their guidelines.
If you’re wanting to keep your car in good condition or you’re looking to identify any problems early then a regular service is important. Identifying any problems before they get too big is ideal for reducing the risk of wear and tear as well.
What does a full car service include?
You can expect everything from a full car service, hence the name “full service.” A specialist will look into every aspect of your vehicle, all the relevant parts and functions of your car. With a full car service it’s likely that there will be more than one person looking at your vehicle.
Here is a rough list of what a full car service will look at:
- Bodywork and mirrors
- Safety: brakes, warning lights, seatbelts, brake pads
- Wear and tear: timing belt, windscreen wipers, aircon, steering, fan belts, air filter, battery, clutch, fuel lines, brake pipes, hoses, handbrake, tyres, brake pads
- Fluid levels: gearbox oil, axel oil, engine oil
- Corrosion checks
- Leakage checks
- Door hinges & locks
- Coolant system leak checks
- Throttle checked
- Wear and tear: distributor cap, engine and gearbox mounts
- Security and cranking tests on motor start
- Visual inspection of radiator and coolant pipes
- Wheel bearing checks
- Wheel condition checks
- Front and rear brake check
When your vehicle has been serviced your service book will get stamped. If you neglect this bit then you could trip up when it comes to selling your vehicle as this is something a car buyer is likely to ask about.
If a specialist notices any major faults or damages that need fixing then you should be made aware of these by the service team before they start working on it. They should also mention any expected costs and how long it’s going to take to get these fixed. The same should apply if you just get an MOT or if you get an MOT while you get a full service. The team should also let you know if your car is safe to drive with the damage, regardless of whether or not you’ve gone in for your MOT.
How much does a car service cost?
It can range between £130 and £190 to get a full car service, with any fluids used to top up then this will be charged separately. This is an average range, and what you pay will be affected by numerous things which can include how frequently (or aggressively) you drive your car and what type of car you own.
Book a car service online with Asda Motoring, and be confident knowing you’re paying for a quick and reliable service at a fair price.