A guide to car servicing - why is it important?
Get the details on car servicing and why it’s important for car maintenance
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By Tia Harrison-North
Last updated: 5 June 2025
Like any health check-up, car servicing can seem like a bit of a drag, but it’s important for your car’s wellbeing – and your safety.
Unlike getting an MOT, it’s not a legal requirement to have your car serviced. But it is recommended to keep your car at its best and to cut down on depreciation when it’s time to sell.
We look at why car servicing is important and what you need to do when your service is due in our guide below.
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Why is it important to service my car?
Car servicing is important to keep your car in ideal condition and ensure it’s running at its best.
The main reason for sticking to a regular servicing schedule is to ensure your car is kept in good working order.
During a service, the mechanics will inspect all the different parts that make your car run as it should. All these checks will extend the life of your car – and help it to retain its value if you decide to sell it.
Running a car in its optimal condition also means it will be as efficient as possible – which will save you money on fuel.
A regular service by fully qualified technicians ensures any potential issues are spotted early.
Checking important mechanical parts, such as the brakes and engine, means the first signs of wear and tear can be dealt with before they have the chance to cause lasting – and possibly expensive – damage.
Replacing one worn engine component is a lot cheaper than having to replace the entire engine.
Taking your car in for a service can also be a good opportunity to sort out any niggles you might have with it. If you point these out when you hand over the vehicle, the mechanics can take a look and offer some possible fixes.
And finally, a service is good for the safety of you and your passengers. A roadworthy car with brakes that work as they should, for example, will help you avoid collisions – and could even save your life.
When does my car need a service?
Your car’s handbook (in the same wallet as your service booklet) or digital service tracker will tell you how often you need a service, but a good rule of thumb is around once a year or after 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is known as the service interval.
You can also get a smaller interim/minor service at six months or 6,000 miles, or a major service at 24 months or 24,000 miles.
You might also see a message in your instrument panel telling you a service is due. Alternatively, a dashboard light warning message might come up, highlighting an issue, so you’ll need to get the car checked when you see one of these.
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Different types of car service
Not all services are the same, so it's a good idea to be aware of the type of service that’s due on your car.
The first-year service is straightforward and only involves changing the oil and filters.
After that, there are three types of services you can choose from, depending on the interval.
Minor/interim service
Full service
Major service
A full service is the one that most people probably think of when they’re considering servicing their car.
We offer full and major servicing at cinch.
Both of these options include:
Our 49-point check (see the full list here)
Oil filter and air filter change
Coolant and screen wash top-up
Engine oil change
With a major service, you’ll also get:
Cabin filter replacement
Brake fluid change (matched to your car’s engine grade)
Clutch fluid top-up
Power steering fluid top-up
Full diagnostic car scan
You can book a service with cinch even if you didn't purchase your car from us.
Where to service your car
You’ve got three options when it comes to choosing where to get your car serviced.
Car dealership
Taking your car for a service at the dealership means experts in your car’s make and model will be working on it.
Plus, you’ll be more likely to get original equipment (OE) parts that are made specifically for your car.
You will also get a dealer stamp in your service booklet, which is useful when selling the car. However, this is likely to be the most expensive option, so it’s worth looking at service plans.
Independent garage
This should be cheaper than a dealership, while the quality of the work should be just as high – especially if it’s a garage where they specialise in particular car brands.
You’ll need to check they know how to work on your brand of car, and if they use OE or OE-equivalent parts.
Servicing chains
High street companies that also offer replacement tyres are another option.
They can service a car quickly and do the job as part of a fixed-price package.
The mechanics are competent and able to work on cars from a number of brands. Their focus is often on doing a quick job.
It can be a different experience than having your car serviced at a professional dealership. They might not also use OE-equivalent parts, so any existing warranty might be invalidated.
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