Car Services? The Complete Guide  

To keep your car functioning correctly and safely, following a routine service plan is essential. A car service checks multiple areas of your car, from the tyres to the suspension, for any signs of a problem, to avoid expensive repairs or breakdowns in the future.  

We are here to provide everything you need to know about a car service, from the different types of servicing, how frequently you should get a service, to checking the service history of a car.  

What Is A Car Service?  

A car service is a comprehensive health check of your car and includes maintenance that helps keep your car functioning correctly. Technicians will check every area of your car and may top up your car’s engine oil and filter, check and add more fluids and test the brakes, tyres, lights and suspension, alongside other essential areas.  

How Often Should I Get A Car Service?  

Each car manufacturer has their own recommended service schedule; however, commonly garages recommend:  

• Interim Service, Every 6 months, or every 6,000 miles (whatever comes first)  
• Major Service, Every 12 months, or every 12,000 miles (whichever comes first)  
• Full Service, Every 24 months, or every 24,000 miles (whichever comes first)  

What Types Of Car Services Are There?  

Interim Service:  

An interim service is the smallest service offered, as it is recommended every 6 months or every 6,000 miles. It is designed for more frequent drivers to ensure their car is functioning safely before their annual full service.  

Work that is normally included in an interim service is checking and replacing fluid levels, inspecting the battery, cooling system, radiator & condenser, brake pads, steering wheels and more.  

Full Service:  

A full service is recommended every 12 months or every 12,000 miles and checks everything in an interim service, alongside air cleaner replacements, checking the operation of the alarm system, inspecting manual transmission oil, inspecting drive shafts including CV boots, replacing spark plugs and brake fluid and more.  

Major Service:  

A major service is the biggest routine maintenance check, as it is required every 24 months or every 24,000 miles. It is a deep inspection of the vehicle to ensure the car has long-term reliability in all conditions on the road.  

Along with checks included in the interim and full service, a major service tests the alternator charging rates, tests the battery, and inspects the automatic transmission oil.  

What is the difference between an MOT and a Car Service?

An MOT is a legal requirement that is required every year to prove your car meets the minimum safety and environmental standards. While a service is optional, the checks included are designed to prevent serious and expensive problems from occurring.

How Much Does A Service Cost?

At Snows, we have multiple brands that offer expert and hassle-free servicing appointments. Our trained technicians will provide your routine servicing in our state-of-the-art approved workshops and will keep you updated throughout the process, along with offering a full breakdown of the checks completed, so you can feel confident in the result of your servicing.

For Snows Car Centre Southampton, you can check our servicing costs here or feel free to contact our team for more information.

Each brand has different servicing prices, so please check our website for up-to-date and correct prices.

When Is My Car Service Due?  

If you are unsure when the next service is due or you would like a copy of your car’s service history, there are multiple ways of finding this information.  

• Car Service Book – When you bought your car, the car service book should have been provided to you. In there, you will find when the recent car service was done, so you can follow your manufacturer's recommended service schedule.  
• Contact a Service Centre or Manufacturer – If you don’t have a physical service book, source your car’s registration number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if they have a record of your car’s service history.  
• Ask the previous owner – If you know the previous owner, whether you brought it through a friend or online through a private seller, try asking them for physical evidence of the service history.  ​

How Long Does A Service Take?  

Depending on how busy we are, and how complicated the work is, a service should take:  

• Interim Service – Should take around 1 hour to 1 and a half hours.  
• Full Service or Major Service – should take around 3 hours. 

Our team will stay in communication with you throughout the day, so you know when to pick up your vehicle.  

Why Should You Have A Full Service History?

A full service history will show potential buyers in the future that your car has been well looked after and is safe for the roads. Most cars with a full service history will be worth more than a car with some gaps in its service history, as it is shown to be more reliable for long-term use.

What To Check Before Your Service?

Before your service, it may be best to check your car's engine fluid levels, test your lights and windscreen wipers and tyre pressures. If any of these need replacing, they can be easily replaced by you, which will save time and money during your service.

You can also give your car a little clean or at least remove anything blocking the view of key areas of your car, like the boot and bonnet lever, so the technician team can access them.

Another thing you can do to prepare before your service is to write down any symptoms or concerns you have with your vehicle, so the technician team can take a deeper look.

Where To Book A Car Service?

At Snows, all of our brands, including our Snows Car Centre in Southampton, provide regular car servicing appointments to keep your car working for longer. Use our online booking system to book a car service when it is due, or feel free to give our team a call or email, and we will be happy to help.