Regardless of how you cut it, getting your car serviced properly is important to keep your vehicle safe, efficient, and reliable—but that does not mean it should be expensive. By planning ahead and through a few tricks of the trade, you can save money on Car Servicing Hemel Hempstead without sacrificing quality. Here are some ideas for saving money on car service without losing quality, and how servicing your car properly can help you pass your MOT test Hemel Hempstead.
Why do you need to service your car
Before we get into ideas to save you money on service, it is worth discussing why servicing your vehicle is important. By servicing your car regularly, you are ensuring that you can rely on your vehicle to continue to be efficient, reliable, and safe. Regularly servicing your car will...
- Increase the lifespan of your engine & parts
- Improve your fuel consumption
- Identify issues as early as possible
- Increase resale value
- Reduce the chances of unexpected breakdowns
Also, having a vehicle that is serviced well is way more likely to pass its MOT without issue, so you don't even have to worry about any retests or costly repairs.
Steps to Save Money on Car Servicing
1. Understand What A Service Entails
Services are not the same and it's important to scope out what is included before booking your car servicing Hemel Hempstead and ask for an itemized list of what it includes before booking. Many service providers will have three types of services.
An Interim Service (6 months or 6,000 miles) with inspections on important items such as oil, fluid levels and brakes.
A Full Service (12 months or 12,000 miles) with additional inspections, such as filters, steering components, suspension and battery.
A Major Service (24 months or 24,000 miles) which is a more comprehensive service, may include brake fluid, spark plugs and cabin filters.
It may be the case that an Interim Service is sufficient for your requirements and will save you money.
2. Price Compare
Prices do vary tremendously between dealers, independent garages and mobile mechanics. Take time to use price comparison websites to obtain multiple quotes along with reading reviews.
Tip: Look for garages that offer fixed-price servicing packages or discounts for booking online.
3. Schedule Your MOT and Car Service Together
Many garages offer a discount for booking your MOT together with your car service. This saves time and money and means you will have the reassurance of knowing that your car is roadworthy and in good condition.
Check if your garage offers a package deal—this is a great way of saving on both the MOT test Hemel Hempstead and service.
4. Stick to Your Manufacturer's Service Schedule
Following your manufacturer's service schedule is one of the best ways to save money on your car. Delaying service may seem like a money saver in the short term but will often lead to more expensive repairs later on.
For example, not having an oil change can lead to engine problems, and forgetting to change the timing belt can lead to complete engine failure which would end up costing you thousands of pounds.
5. Do Easy Checks Yourself
You don't need to be a fully fledged mechanic to complete basic car maintenance. Sometimes just carrying out checks can save money on repairs. Here are a few things you could easily do at home:
- Check and top up your engine oil, coolant, and washer fluid
- Ensure that your car's tyres are inflated to the correct pressure
- Replace your car's wiper blades when they are worn and don't clear the windscreen properly
- Keep the battery terminals clean
- Replace the air and cabin filters (these are often very easy and cheap to do yourself)
By doing small jobs on your car yourself, you're not just saving some cash when it comes to service time you're saving wear and tear as well.
6. Buy Your own Parts and Fluids
Some garages let you supply your own oils, filters, and spark plugs etc. This may be cheaper than paying the garage prices. Just make sure you are very clear on what you are purchasing for your vehicle (look in the owner’s manual and check with the mechanic on what you need beforehand).
Note: It is always best to check with the garage for allowed items to bring in for installation.
7. Take Advantage of Loyalty Schemes and Service Plans
Many garages will have a loyalty card or service plans in place that allow you to pay for maintenance throughout the year. Some of the benefits include:
- A free MOT or discounted MOT
- Priority bookings
- Free top-ups in between services
- Free winter/summer checks
These plans usually guarantee a fixed price that can protect you against inflation for the given period of time, making it glorious if you intend to own a car for several years.
8. Keep Good Records
Keeping a detailed service history will assist in avoiding unnecessary work. A reputable garage will refer to your previous records to ensure they are treading grounds that you have already had covered. If you can avoid a garage charging you for two services it is best to do so.
It also protects the resale value of your car when the time comes to sell it or trade it in.
9. Do not Use the Main Dealer (Once the Warranty Period Ends)
While if you want to stay protected and even during your warranty period you must use the main dealer, when this ends you can usually achieve as good of a service from a trusted independent garage for much less.
Independent garages are almost always cheaper than main dealers, and they must still follow the manufacturers guidelines, so you will not be compromising the quality of your service.
10. Book Off-Peak and Look for Promotions
Try to avoid periods of peak activity (for example, the winter period or right before the summer holiday peak). You may also get lucky, and/or flexible, to book your service earlier or during hazards like holidays when the garage is normally quieter. They might offer the same service, for even better prices.
And always keep an eye out for seasonal offers, discounts and promo codes are also available from many providers online or through loyalty apps.
Conclusion
Making cost savings on the car servicing Hemel Hempstead is all about making smart choices, not avoiding necessary maintenance. By examining costs, carrying out easy checks for yourself, and sticking to your recommended service intervals you should be able to keep your vehicle in good condition and avoid high costs at the same time!
Indeed, regular servicing also contributes to your vehicle passing its MOT Test Hemel Hempstead. A well serviced vehicle is generally safer, more economical, and more reliable!