Vehicle servicing is vital for the upkeep of your car, van or motorcycle, keeping it operating safely and efficiently at all times. From your brakes to your tyres, servicing checks the most vital components of your vehicle, ensuring that everything is running as it should and that it isn’t suffering from excessive wear and tear.

But it’s not just for safety reasons that servicing is important: there is also the potential to save money.

If your vehicle is not running at optimum capacity, it has to work harder to keep moving. For example, low tyre pressure means that more rubber is in contact with the road surface, forcing the engine to work harder.

Similarly, older engine oil tends to cause greater friction within the engine, preventing it from running smoothly and again causing it to overcompensate.

There is no set (or legal) answer to this question, but guidelines suggest that a full service be carried out on your vehicle at the mileage recommended by the manufacturer, or once every year. Interim services are available should your car not do the mileage to necessitate a full service (as per manufacturer guidelines).

Essential elements, such as oil and filters, will need replacing as soon as they become worn or damaged, regardless of whether a service is due or not.

Whether you require a full or interim service will determine what work is carried out on your vehicle. Both include a number of checks, identifying any potential faults, as well as top ups and of the various oils and fluids involved in your car’s operation.

It is a popularly held belief that manufacturer warranties will be void for vehicles under three years old if they are taken to an independent garage for servicing. This is certainly not true (as outlined by the Block Exemption Regulation), so long as the garage uses approved parts and adheres to its service schedule.

Should problems with your vehicle be identified during a service, you will be informed and no repair work will be carried out without your prior approval.