With our busy lives, it can be tempting to put off those jobs that seem ‘unimportant at the time’. Car servicing is one of those tedious but essential parts of motoring, but if the car is running fine and there are no problems, then surely it can wait a few more weeks?
Our advice is simple – no. If you delay your car servicing, the costs can build up surprisingly quickly. Here’s why.
1. By missing a service date you could invalidate your dealership warranty
When you buy a car from a dealership, part of your contract may include regular servicing. This is a great deal to look out for as it means the basic costs of keeping your vehicle in top condition and running smoothly are included in the initial price of the purchase. However, if you miss a designated service point (for example, after six months or a specified amount of mileage) then it may invalidate your warranty. That means you’d have to pay for the service in full, which can cost a considerable amount of money.
2. Your service technician may spot a problem early
A service isn’t just about changing the oil and giving the air filter a quick clean with some compressed air. Your Toyota technicians will carry out a top-to-bottom inspection on a full service, which enables them to identify indications of more serious problems that may not be obvious at first glance. By catching these indicators early it could save you money by preventing a major breakdown later on.
3. You can be sure your vehicle is safe
One of the key reasons for regular services is to ensure that the vehicle is safe to drive. Services include checks on safety essentials such as the brakes, the condition of the tyres, hoses and brake fluid levels. If there is an issue with any of these then identifying it earlier rather than later could save you much more than money – it could save your life.
4. It can affect the value of your car
If you plan to sell your car or trade it in for a new one at a dealership then gaps in the service history can have a real effect on the value of your vehicle. Buyers want to see a full ‘paper trail’ with every scheduled service carried out on time and by an authorised dealership or garage. If you have missing services it could scare off potential buyers who may wonder what hidden problems the car has as a result of those missed services.
5. It can affect your car’s fuel efficiency
Running costs can mount up, so you want your car to run as efficiently as possible. Things like a blocked air filter, tyre wear, a faulty air-con system or a cracked or broken hose can drastically affect your vehicle’s efficiency. A full service will identify these problems and deal with them so that your car is running at maximum efficiency.
6. It gives you peace of mind and hassle-free motoring
If you’ve missed a major service then there is always that nagging doubt at the back of your mind that your car may be running below par. Taking a day out every six or 12 months to get your car checked by a professional team of technicians means that you can be sure of the condition of your vehicle, its safety, its efficiency, and that it won’t break down on your next long journey.
