MOTs/servicing/regular maintenance? What's the difference?

Missko

Hi all,


I've got my first car and want to look after it as long as possible. It's 3 years old so will need an annual MOT.


My question is - what do they actually check on the MOT? How is this different from regular "servicing"?


What sort of things should I be checking myself and how often?


Many thanks from a clueless blonde bird!


Kirsten

topdaddy_2

Mot is a test. A test of basic roadworthyness. Not a co.prehensive test of your ehicle but appliction of a basic standard to which all vehicles should comply. Servicing is maintance. Routine maintance is daily/weekly/monthly visual checks and remedys. Your handbook should give a rough guide

Strider590

MOT is basically to check it ain't going to fall apart and kill someone.

forgotmyname

As above an MOT only checks certain legal requirements. They dont change the oil and some probably wont even check to see if the car has oil so if it blows up during the test due to a lack of oil it wont pass and you get to walk home.

You should be checking all the fluid levels and tyre condition and pressures weekly.

Its possibly to pass the MOT with many faults. Your car could shake itself to pieces at 40mph but the MOT may not pick that up.
It could blow plumes of smoke at 70mph, But they test it with no load so again it may pass.

If you have the know how and tools check the brakes etc then you can save yourself some money. Changing the oil yourself can save you more.

Regular servicing helps cars live longer.

Richard53

Weekly: engine oil level, engine coolant level, tyre condition and pressures, level check on brake/clutch/power steering reservoirs, battery (unless maintenance-free type) and a general look-over to make sure nothing is loose or missing . 10 minutes max.


Also, if you wash the car regularly, you are more likely to spot things before they get worse - stone chips in the pain, loose trim etc. I once spotted a loose wheel nut during a rare washing session, and I was glad I did.


Once or twice a year / every 4000-5000-8000-10000 miles (check handbook for which): proper service, which will change essential fluids and filters and check the brakes and the rest. This is the 'servicing' part, which helps to ensure that the car will keep running sweetly and last as long as possible. Main dealer if you are rich, trusted independent otherwise - or a competent family member if available and you don't mind losing the 'history'. Or learn how to do it yourself, of course.


Once a year: MoT test, as said above, a basic test of safety and roadworthiness. Nothing to do with maintenance, but a useful check that the big bits are all in order. As I am sure you know, it's a legal requirement to have a current MoT certificate (OK, a pass recorded on the central database and a written receipt in your hand, but same thing).


'Maintenance' covers routine servicing, consumables such as brake pads etc., minor repairs and generally keeping on top of things.

BillJones

Richard53 wrote: »

Weekly: engine oil level, engine coolant level, tyre condition and pressures, level check on brake/clutch/power steering reservoirs, battery (unless maintenance-free type) and a general look-over to make sure nothing is loose or missing . 10 minutes max.

Probably sensible advice, but that's far more than I bother with.

I'm happy to assume that the car will tell me something is wrong before it's badly wrong, and on the bike, I'll tend to feel an issue before it's anything major.

So in essence, I check nothing, ever. Well, I suppose that I look at the tyre tread once in a while.

It helps, I suppose, that all my servicing is done at far lower mileage intervals than is recommended, as I only do 3-4k miles per year on any particular bike or car.

roswell

^^

As above rarely check anything except a visual check of the tyres every time I get in it.

Service every 12 months regardless of milage
Oil change every 6 months (well not exactly because I obviously don't do that in the month its getting serviced anyway.

And before winter do a walk round visual check of wiper blades / any bulbs out 9car tends to tell me about these anyway) (same for screen wash car tells me), If I have any concerns about things like rattles / brakes etc it goes to the garage to get an expert opinion on how much I need to empty my wallet.

Ebe_Scrooge

In addition to the excellent advice given above, here is what's tested during the MOT :

http://www.motester.co.uk/mot-information-for-motorists/mot-test-checks-list

A few days before your MOT is due, look through this list, and check each item on your car. There are some things you won't be able to check yourself, such as emissions, but the majority of items are simple to check, especially things like bulbs, horn, windscreen wipers / washers, etc. etc. Anything that's broken, get it fixed - whether by DIY or mechanic. It should then sail through the test, saving you time, hassle, and probably money

JJ_Egan

Typical Halfords service list .



Service
Interim Full Major

6,000 miles
6 months 12,000 miles
12 months 24,000 miles
24 months
Points checked 40 69 71 Engine Drain engine oil and refill. [IMG]file:///C:/Users/JJ%20Egan/AppData/Roaming/Mozilla/Firefox/Profiles/nc3dwpv7.default/ScrapBook/data/20140617162850/castrol-oil-logo-10.png[/IMG]
Special or synthetic oils are subject to additional charge. ✔ ✔ ✔ Replace oil filter. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check for excessive oil leaks. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check for timing belt (cambelt) replacement interval and report if replacement due according to mileage or age. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check radiator condition.
✔ ✔ Check coolant cap seals.
✔ ✔ Check coolant hoses for leaks and condition and security.
✔ ✔ Check electric cooling fan for operation where applicable.
✔ ✔ Check condition and tension of fan or alternator belt. Adjust or report on condition.
✔ ✔ Check condition and adjust auxiliary drive belts if required (excluding cambelt).
✔ ✔ Replace air filter.
✔ ✔ Report if spark plugs are due to be changed according to mileage. An additional charge applies for the supply of plugs and fitment.
✔
Check and record antifreeze strength and minimum temperature and top up coolant as required.
✔
Drain out cooling system and replace coolant to correct specification.

✔ Replace spark plugs for petrol engines only. An additional charge applies for platinum or long life plugs.

✔ Check condition and security of undertray. ✔ ✔ ✔ Fuel Check fuel cap seal condition.
✔ ✔ Check visual condition of fuel lines.
✔ ✔ Replace fuel filter (if fitted and external from fuel tank).

✔ Drive System Check for correct clutch operation. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check for correct gearbox operation. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check and top up clutch fluid where applicable. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check drive shaft gaitors for security and report leaks. ✔ ✔ ✔ Grease prop/shaft if applicable.
✔ ✔ Check and top up axle and/or transaxle oil if applicable.
✔ ✔ Top up gearbox fluid where applicable and not sealed.
✔ ✔ Electrical Check operation of exterior lights. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check horn. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check diesel heater plug indicator operation where fitted.
✔ ✔ Check battery security and lubricate terminals.
✔ ✔ Check battery condition and print results. ✔ ✔ ✔ Top up battery/non-sealed units only.
✔ ✔ Check dashboard warning lights. ✔ ✔ ✔ Visual inspection of HT (high tension) leads.
✔ ✔ Test effectiveness of starter motor.

✔ Test alternator charging rate - check security.

✔ Steering & Suspension Check and top up power steering reservoir where applicable. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check steering and suspension components for wear and corrosion. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check steering rack gaitors condition. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check wheel bearings for excessive play or roughness. ✔ ✔ ✔ Carry out shock absorber bounce test. ✔ ✔ ✔ Grease steering and suspension where applicable.
✔ ✔ Exhaust Inspect exhaust system (including catalyst if fitted) for leaks, security and noise. ✔ ✔ ✔ Visual check for exhaust smoke. ✔ ✔ ✔ Brakes Check brake pads for wear or damage. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check brake callipers for leaks and security. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check service brake shoes for wear or damage - clean and adjust if required (excludes internal handbrake shoes). ✔ ✔ ✔ Inspect operation of wheel cylinders and report any leaks. ✔ ✔ ✔ Visually check brake hydraulic system, pipes and hoses for any leaks, chafing and corrosion. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check security of handbrake linkages and travel. Lubricate and adjust if required. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check brake discs and drums for wear, cracks, corrosion and scoring or pitting (excluding internal drums). ✔ ✔ ✔ Check brake fluid level and top up if required. ✔ ✔
Check brake servo operation.
✔ ✔ Carry out brake fluid boil test and record readings.
✔
Replace brake fluid and bleed system.

✔ Tyres and Wheels Remove road wheels. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check tyre size and whether tyre is fitted to side wall instructions. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check tyre condition and tread depth (including spare). ✔ ✔ ✔ Check and adjust tyre pressures (including spare). ✔ ✔ ✔ Set wheel nut torque to manufacturer's settings. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check wheels for correct balance (including spare). ✔ ✔ ✔ Vision Check windscreen wiper condition and operation. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check rear wiper condition and operation (if fitted). ✔ ✔ ✔ Check windscreen washer operations, align jets and top up if required. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check windscreen for chips and cracks.
✔ ✔ Check mirror condition (interior and exterior).
✔ ✔ Check number plate condition.
✔ ✔ Internal Advise if cabin filter is required according to age/mileage reccomendations and lasr change. ✔ ✔ ✔ Check seatbelts - front and rear including lap belt.
✔ ✔ Check operation of all external door locks.
✔ ✔ Lubricate accessible door hinges (with white grease).
✔ ✔ General Reset vehicle service light where applicable (subject to data and tooling availability). ✔ ✔ ✔ Conduct road test. ✔ ✔ ✔ Lubricate bonnet catch.
✔ ✔ Stamp service book (indicating a Halfords Autocentres Menu Service has been carried out). ✔ ✔ ✔ Back to top »

Shielder

Ignore the mileage posted in that Halfords list. Each car manufacturer quotes different numbers for the servicing interval. My old Avensis had to be serviced every 10,000 miles (or every 8-9 weeks with my mileage as it was then) but my new one has the service intervals at 12,000miles. Vauxhall petrol engines, I believe, get serviced every 18,000miles, so look in the book and go to your local independent garage to get the car serviced. DON'T go to your main dealer unless you want to get fleeced (and even then, they may not do all of the required items e.g. filters, oil etc).

Andy

Sportacus

To maximize the resale value of your car get it serviced at the main-dealer according to the service plan in the owners manual - keep all receipts.


To minimize what you spend on the car just get it MOTd at a council run place, and have the oil changed as specified in the owner manual (or more often), also ensure the cambelt (aka timing belt) is also changed on schedule. Keep an eye on the brakes pads too (if you can see them without taking the wheels off), the MOT should pick this up but better to be safe and check yourself (or some garages do free brake checks). Everything else can be replaced as and when it goes.


The above are two extreme approaches, most people go for a middle approach of getting an annual service at an independent garage (or chain like Halfords).


With a car under 5 years old that I might sell in a few years I'd be inclined to take it to the main dealer for servicing. For a car over 10 years old I'd try and spend as little as possible. For something in the middle I'd take it to an independent garage.