Car servicing checklist

Once you’ve bought a car, it’s important you keep up with car servicing and maintenance. This is the key to getting your money’s worth from the car itself, as well as retaining what resale value the car may have once you are finished with it.

Modern cars have up to 75,000 parts – and if only one of these parts malfunctions, this can have a drastic impact on your car, leaving you unable to use it.

Keeping your car in perfect shape is also the key to keeping it safe to drive.

Our car servicing checklist will show you how often you should service your car for specific parts or problems. To make it easy, the checklist is split up into car servicing by time and mileage intervals. We have used an estimated monthly mileage of 1,000 miles, so if your mileage is higher than this, then it is recommended to check certain issues more frequently.

• Engine light (Service light)
• Lights
• Tyres
• Windshield washer fluid
• Cleaning interior and exterior

• Fluids (transmission, power steering, etc.)
• Battery
• Belts (alternator, power steering, water, etc.)
• Engine oil and filter
• Fuel filter
• Hoses
• Exhaust

• Brake pads
• Cabin air filter
• Engine coolant
• Air conditioning

We will now explain exactly how you should service each component of your car.

Ensure that your tyres are properly inflated. Don’t panic – tyre gauges are very cheap and easy to use. You should be checking the pressure of your tyres around once a week since underinflated tyres can result in additional wear, as well as impacting handling and fuel efficiency.

You should also make sure that your tyres are replaced once the tread wear indicators are showing. If you find that your tyres are wearing in certain places, this may indicate that your tracking is not aligned – this can happen due to bumps in the road and general use and can be checked by a mechanic. Insufficient tread on tyres is a common reason for MOT failures and so tyres should be changed if tread drops to insufficient levels.

Your car isn’t going to get very far without oil, so it’s important to check your oil levels about once a week – this is simple to do by looking at where the oil level is on your engine dipstick.

You also need to make sure the oil in your car is changed every 3,000 – 3,500 miles. Although oil manufacturers claim their oil can last 10,000 miles, you should err on the side of caution and change it no later than 5,000 miles to keep your engine healthy.

When changing your oil, you should check what the right type is for your car or van. This should be documented in your owner’s manual, but you can also check online. Most engine oil can be purchased from petrol stations, specialist shops, or even large supermarkets.

Your windows are very important, especially when thinking about your safety whilst in the car. Make sure any windshield cracks are repaired as soon as possible before they expand. Small cracks can be relatively easy to fix, but if you continue to drive and they expand this can result in much more costly fixes. Cracks that obscure the driver’s vision can nullify insurance and result in a failed MOT, so they should be taken seriously.

It’s also incredibly important to keep your mirrors clean and in a good condition. If your mirrors do become chipped or cracked, replace them as soon as possible.

While it is not illegal to have broken wing mirrors, you can still be stopped by the police if they notice that either of your wing mirrors is damaged or missing.

Fluid refers to a vast array of liquids that help keep your car running. They include coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid and other fluids.

Ideally, you should check these fluids regularly to ensure they are well above the required levels, and to keep your car functioning perfectly.

When changing windshield wiper fluid, it is important to buy dedicated fluid if you can rather than using water. Proper fluid has a lower freezing temperature than water, which can prove pivotal in the cold winter months (when water can freeze), meaning it won’t work and may potentially cause damage.

Your lights are relatively easy to check, and really important. Failure to have the correct lights working can land you with a fine, as well as points on your license.

You can check your own lights, but it is often easier to get someone to help you. Make sure you check all your lights, including the taillights, reverse lights, brake lights and turn signals.

Servicing a car can be expensive and you might wonder if it’s even worth it. We believe if you invest in the health of your car and keep it in good condition, you will likely save yourself an expensive repair down the line. According to The Telegraph, not changing something simple like oil filters may eventually lead to engine failure, costing you up to £20,000.

While many of us know from experience the service light going on does not necessarily indicate a major issue, it’s better to be safe than sorry. As soon as the light shows, it’s important to get your car checked. If a small issue develops into a larger one without your knowledge, it can be the difference between a few pounds and thousands.

Although getting your car regularly serviced can seem like an annoying cost, it can be vital in ensuring your car is running smoothly and identifying any potential issues before they turn into unsafe or expensive problems!

Similarly, if you notice anything about your vehicle that seems out of the ordinary, such as a change in handling, strange noises or smells, you should book your car in to be checked by a professional. Being proactive in your car maintenance can help to keep your vehicle running for as long as possible, as well as preserving the value of the car for future sale.

At Moneybarn, we provide car finance for people with bad credit. Why not get in touch? We’re happy to help!