If you own a car in the UK, there are two things you need to perform regularly to keep it running well and stay legal on the roads. Car servicing keeps your car in good shape. MOT Stockport makes sure your automobile passes the minimum safety criteria set by law. If you know both of these things, you can take better care of your car and avoid expensive problems in the future.
What Is Car Servicing and Why Does It Matter?
Getting your car serviced is like getting a health check. A trained mechanic will check numerous parts of your automobile during a service to make sure everything is running right. This means checking the engine oil, brakes, tyres, lights, and a lot of other critical parts that make sure your automobile is safe to drive.
Regular maintenance keeps tiny issues from becoming huge, costly ones. If a mechanic sees something that needs fixing early, it normally costs a lot less to fix than if you wait until it breaks down totally. You should go to the dentist for a check-up instead of waiting until you have a terrible toothache.
Most automobile companies say you should have your car serviced every 12 months or after you drive a specific number of miles, whichever comes first. For most current cars, this is usually between 10,000 and 12,000 miles. However, you should read your vehicle handbook to be sure.
Different Types of Car Services
There are several kinds of car servicing Stockport that take care of different parts of your car’s maintenance needs. Checking fluid levels, testing lights, and looking at tyres are all things that are normally included in a standard service. This kind of service is usually done every six months and helps find evident concerns fast.
A complete service is more in-depth and usually happens once a year. The mechanic will examine a lot more parts of your automobile during a full service. These include the brakes, steering, suspension, and exhaust system. They might also check the timing belt and other essential engine parts, as well as change the oil and oil filter.
Some garages also offer interim services, which are services that are not full or basic. These are helpful if you drive a lot or want to be extra sure about how your car is doing.
Understanding the MOT Test
Most cars in the UK that are more than three years old must pass the MOT test. The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is in charge of this yearly inspection. It examines to see if your car fulfils the minimal safety and environmental criteria needed to operate legally on British roads.
An approved examiner will inspect various areas of your car during a MOT test. These include the lights, brakes, tyres, exhaust emissions, and bodywork. They are looking for anything that could make your automobile hazardous to drive or make it pollute the air more than the law allows.
You will receive a certificate that is valid for 12 months if your vehicle passes the MOT test. There will be a list of faults that need to be fixed before your car can pass if it doesn’t. Some problems are small and you can still drive your automobile, while others are serious and you can’t legally drive until they are fixed.
When Do You Need an MOT?
Most cars need their first MOT test when they are three years old, and then they need one every year after that. There are a few exceptions, including cars that are utilised for certain business objectives, that may need to be tested at a younger age.
You can get your MOT test done up to a month before it runs out without losing any time from your present certificate. This is useful since it provides you time to fix any difficulties that could come up while you’re taking the test.
You can’t drive a car without a valid MOT certificate, unless you’re on your way to a pre-booked MOT test appointment or to get repairs done that are needed for the MOT. The police can verify MOT certificates online, so they will know if your automobile doesn’t have a genuine one.
Preparing Your Car for Service and MOT
There are a few easy things you can do to make sure everything goes well before you take your car in for servicing or a MOT test. Make sure that your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are all operational. Inflate your tyres to the recommended pressure and check that they have adequate tread.
Make sure your automobile is clean, especially the number plates and lights, so the mechanic or examiner can see everything. Take out all of your personal items from the car, especially anything that might get in the way of inspecting under the seats or in the trunk.
When you make your appointment, it’s a good idea to tell them about any problems you know about with your car. This helps the garage get ready and could save you time when you go.
Conclusion
In the UK, regular car servicing and a yearly MOT test are important components of owning a car that keep you safe on the road and make sure your car is still legal to drive. You can keep your car in good shape, avoid unexpected problems, and follow the law by knowing what these services entail and getting ready for them. Taking care of these things not only keeps you and other drivers safe, but it also keeps your car’s value and dependability high for years to come.
