What’s the Difference Between an MOT and a Service?
When it comes to the maintenance of your vehicle, an annual MOT test and service are extremely important to ensure that their vehicle is both legal and safe to drive. Below, we’ve outlined the key differences between a car service and an MOT, and delved into why they’re both necessary to keep your car safe and in optimal condition.
MOT vs Service: They Key Differences
What is an MOT?
An MOT test (standing for Ministry of Transport) is an annual inspection of your vehicle, which is required by law. The test ensures that your vehicle is roadworthy, safe to drive, and meets environmental standards.
What do they check on an MOT?
As part of an MOT test, some of the main elements that are checked are your vehicle’s including brakes, lights, steering, tyres, seatbelts and more. The MOT tester will check these to make sure that they meet the minimum safety standard set by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
An MOT tests for the minimum safety standard to ensure that the car is roadworthy. This means that a car can pass its MOT even if it’s not running to an optimum standard. That’s where car servicing comes in.
At Lloyd Motor Group, we have MOT centres across northern England and southern Scotland. Our technicians are trained to the latest manufacturer standards using the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment.
What is a car service?
A service is an inspection that is based on guidelines from your vehicle’s manufacturer, which will help to keep your car in a reliable and fully-functioning condition.
What is included in a car service?
Depending on whether you choose a full or an interim service, a car service can include an engine oil and filter change, a check of all fluids and a brake check, and many other checks of the key components and safety features of the car.
Although it can depend on the exact guidelines from your vehicles manufacturer, a rule of thumb is that your car should be serviced every 12,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first. By servicing your car regularly, you’ll be able to keep your car running smoothly and identify any issues early on before they become more costly.
To ensure that your vehicle gives you miles of trouble-free motoring, all of our centres offer vehicle servicing. Family-run for over 40 years, you can trust that your vehicle is in the best of hands when it’s in with us for its service.
Car Servicing at Lloyd Motor Group
Differences between an MOT and a service
- In some aspects, a service is similar to an MOT, as they both carry out checks on aspects like tyres, brakes and seatbelts. However, a service focuses on your vehicle’s health and getting it in optimum condition, while an MOT assesses only the safety-critical aspects of the vehicle.
- An MOT is a mandatory legal requirement, whereas you’re not legally obliged to have your car serviced. However, it is highly advised to service your vehicle regularly as it will help to prolong its life and help you to avoid breaking down or causing damage.
- During a service, some parts which will improve your car’s performance and lifespan are replaced. This can include air-conditioning gas, brake fluid, oil changes and oil filter changes. During an MOT, nothing will be replaced or changed.
Why your car needs both a service and an MOT
As well as their annual MOT, drivers are advised to have their cars regularly serviced for many reasons.
Having both carried out means that more ground is covered as more checks are completed, resulting in a greater chance that any potential problems are identified before they become worse.
While an MOT checks all of the important systems are functioning safely, a service will mean that changes are made to improve safety, comfort and reliability.
Overall, having your car regularly serviced will mean that is it safer and more reliable, and will help you avoid issues that could lead to it failing its next MOT.
It’s important to bear in mind that a condition of your car’s warranty may also be that your vehicle must be regularly serviced and that all services are documented. A well-documented service history can also help to increase the value of your car when it’s time to sell it in the future.
FAQs about Servicing and MOTs
Most manufacturers recommend getting a full service once a year or after 12,00 miles. Your vehicle handbook should tell you the service schedule of the car and the guidance and recommendation on the time between services.
Some newer vehicles come with a built-in alert to notify you when it’s time for a service. You can also check your service record in your handbook to see when you last had a service.
A full service will typically include checks on lights, tyres, exhaust, brakes, steering, oil, filters, battery, steering and more.
In comparison to a full service, an interim service is less comprehensive and doesn’t take as long, typically including checks of the brakes, fluids, battery, lights and tyres.
Interim services can be a good option for low-mileage drivers and anyone who wants to get their car checked between their annual full services.
To check when your MOT test is due, you can simply visit the government website and enter your registration number.
A new car doesn’t need to have an MOT until it’s 3 years old. You can get an MOT before this if you choose to, for peace of mind. However, there is no legal requirement to do so.
Find Your Nearest Lloyd MOT and Service Centre
Why Choose Lloyd Motor Group?
Car Maintenance by Premium Brands at Lloyd Motor Group
All of our centres offer MOTs, servicing and repairs, all completed to our manufacturers’ high standards.
| BMW MOT | MINI MOT |
| Land Rover MOT | Jaguar MOT |
| Kia MOT | Volvo MOT |
| Lloyd Used Car Centre MOT | BMW Motorrad MOT |
| Honda Motorcycles MOT |
| BMW Servicing | MINI Servicing |
| Land Rover Servicing | Jaguar Servicing |
| Kia Servicing | Volvo Servicing |
| Lloyd Used Car Centre Servicing | BMW Motorrad Servicing |
| Honda Motorcycles Servicing |
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