To ensure your car is safe, reliable and in the best condition, why not book your MOT and service together? There are so many benefits to this, you could save money, save time and it could mean less chance of a breakdown as your car undergoes not only the legal yearly check but also a thorough service to ensure everything is in good nick.
MOTs are a legal requirement in the UK and car services are not, however, we highly recommend you book your yearly service to ensure your car lasts in good condition for as long as possible.
An MOT is an annual inspection to test a vehicle’s overall safety. It is a legal requirement for all vehicles in the UK over 3 years old to have a valid MOT certificate. If you are caught driving without a valid MOT, you could be fined up to £1,000 and could get up to 3 points on your licence if your car is deemed dangerous once the test is completed.
During an MOT test, a mechanic will do an overall check to see that the car is meeting all DVSA’s environmental standards, the condition of the brakes, lights, mirrors, exhaust system and more. However, the engine, clutch and gearbox will not be checked, one of the reasons we recommend a service too to ensure that these are tested.
Vehicle’s often failed their MOT tests for what can seem petty reasons here are some ways in which to avoid this from happening to you.
A car service is a routine check-up, where a mechanic will check over the car’s condition. This is much more thorough than an MOT as depending on which service standard you pick your engine, clutch and gearbox will be tested. A regular service ensures your car will run smoothly and prevent any serious and expensive faults.
There are three different levels of service: interim, full, and major.
● Interim Services are recommended every 6 months or 6,000 miles depending on which comes first and generally are for those doing upwards of 24,000 miles a year.
● Full Services are recommended every 12 months or 12,000 miles, could be your only service in a year and go alongside your MOT.
● Major Services are recommended every 24 months or 24,000 miles, this is the most thorough service package.
To find out more about the different car service options see here.
Although you may be put off by the prospect of paying out for your MOT and service at the same time there are benefits to booking your MOT and service together.
● Safety: Having the MOT and Service together means your vehicle will be checked against the DVSA’s guidelines and the manufacturers at the same time.
● Convenience: You will only have to go to the garage once, no need for finding time for separate appointments to get it all done in one.
● Cost effective: You may be offered a deal with the garage if you book your service and MOT at the same time. It may also reduce issues down the line getting everything checked in one go.
● Booking them together also reduces the likelihood that you’ll forget either, they’re just done and dusted.
It’s so easy to book your mot and service together online. Just enter your vehicle registration and postcode below and we’ll do the rest. We’ll find your nearest garages so that you can easily compare prices and reviews to find one that suits you, saving you time and money - pay nothing until you're at the garage.
Does my car need a full service every year?
It is recommended that you have a full service every 12 months, check your manufacturer handbook for further information on any service intervals.
How long should a car service and MOT take?
An MOT test will generally take between 45 minutes to an hour and a full service on the average car is about 3 hours. So, for them both to be done together it could take anywhere between 2 - 4 hours, this also depends on whether any issues with the vehicle are found.
Will a car fail its MOT if it needs a service?
A service indicator on the dashboard will not cause the car to fail its MOT as it’s just a reminder to get a service done rather than an indicator of anything wrong with the car.
What do I need to bring with me to an MOT and Car Service?
All you need to bring is your vehicle logbook if you want it stamped. Full-service history can help when you come to sell the vehicle and could increase its value.