Service 09 of 11
Scheduled servicing
Servicing to the manufacturer's schedule — for young cars and well-used ones alike. We work through the listed items, measure the wearing parts rather than judging them by eye, and tell you what needs doing now and what can wait.
You know the scope beforehand, not on the invoice. Anything else we find, we discuss with you before a part is changed.
When it's due
How you know it is due
The service display comes on
A spanner symbol or a message in the instrument cluster. The display counts distance, time and, on many models, the way the car is driven.
The date has passed
Service intervals run on distance or on time, whichever comes first. Oil and brake fluid age in the garage too.
After a winter laid up
Months of standing leave their mark on tyres, battery and brakes. If the service is due soon anyway, book it before the first drive of the season.
Bought used
A patchy service book or an unclear history: a service to schedule shows where the car stands — and from here every service is on record again.
The warranty wants proof
The manufacturer's warranty assumes documented servicing to specification. Extended warranties run on their issuer's terms.
Not sure which service is due?
A photo of the service display or of the last entry in the service book is usually enough for us to look up the scope.
Send a photo
Scope
What a service covers
Which items are due is set by the manufacturer's schedule, by mileage and age. We tell you the exact scope for your car beforehand.
- Engine oil and oil filter to manufacturer approval
- Filters, spark plugs and, where fitted, the timing belt at the schedule's intervals
- Pads and discs measured, brake fluid by water content and interval
- Suspension, steering and joints checked for play, gaiters for cracks
- Fluid levels, auxiliary belt, hoses and leaks
- Lights, tyres and battery
- Fault memory read, service display reset
- Service entered in the service record, the digital one included — with a record of what is due now and what can wait
Method
Four steps
- 01
Look up
The schedule for your car, its mileage and age. You know scope and cost beforehand.
- 02
Service
The listed items, oil to manufacturer approval, wearing parts measured rather than estimated.
- 03
Approval
Anything beyond the schedule we discuss with you first. No part without your yes.
- 04
Handover
Service documented, display reset, a record of what is due now and what can wait.
Questions about it
What people ask about servicing
Do I keep the manufacturer's warranty if I don't go to a franchised dealer?
As a rule, yes — provided the car is serviced to manufacturer specification, with parts of matching quality, and the service is properly documented. That is exactly how we work. Extended and used-car warranties run on the terms of whoever issued them; bring the paperwork and we will look at it beforehand.
My car hardly moves. Does it still need servicing?
Yes, once the time interval is reached — whichever comes first, distance or time, is what counts. Oil ages standing still, brake fluid draws water, and seals and tyres do not get any younger because the car is in the garage. Which items are then due is set out in the schedule.
What does a service cost — and what if you find something?
That depends on the car and on which items the schedule calls for this time: an oil service is a different job from a major service with spark plugs and brake fluid. We give you the scope and the cost beforehand. Anything else we find is only done with your approval — and worn parts we show you on the component, with the measured figure beside them.
Scheduled servicing
Service due?
You know the scope beforehand.
Related
Related services
- 06
Engine oil service
The heart of every service — and on its own between two services.
- 07
Brake service
When the measurements show that pads or discs are due.
- 10
Repairs and maintenance
Whatever wear the service turns up, we repair once you approve it.