Don’t get confused between MOTs and car services. Many motorists mix them up but they are different and each has their place in ensuring your car is roadworthy. Read on to find out what an MOT is and why it differs from a service.
What Is an MOT?
An MOT is an official requirement for any car older than three years of age. It must be conducted by a mechanic who is accredited by the DVLA. Without a valid MOT your car won’t be legally insured and, therefore, you cannot drive it on the road. A standard set of checks and inspections are carried out during an MOT which the mechanic must stick to. The maximum that an MOT charge should be is £54.85 inclusive of VAT.
What Is a Car Service?
A car service is a check-up that motorists are not legally obliged to have carried out. Most do because having them stamped in the logbooks means they retain a service history which will add to the vehicle’s resale value. Services do not have a DVLA-mandated checklist, either. They can contain some checks but not others, although most professionally run service centres undertake all of the most important inspections and tests. Some car owners opt for two services a year to keep their car in top condition but most stick to an annual regime. In some cases, you may need to have a new car serviced every year to ensure that it remains covered by its extended warranty. Prices for car services can vary greatly depending on where you live.
Can I Have My Car Serviced Followed By an MOT Inspection?
Yes, you can. Some MOT centres offer car servicing as well as MOTs. For example, Elite is a dedicated garage offering authentic MOT services in London with complete car servicing packages at very decent prices. You can book a service and, when this is complete and any required remedial actions have been taken, the MOT can follow, vastly increasing the chances of it passing, of course.
Although they both involve checks of your car’s engine, safety systems, tyres, electrics and internal systems, MOTs and services are significantly different. Once a car has turned three years of age and needs to undergo an MOT each year, it is often wise to book a car service to coincide with the required inspection. This way, any faults that might mean your car fails its MOT can be resolved at the appropriate time.