MOTs are an annual obligation for nearly every motorist on UK roads, and represent for many the time of year at which they discover exactly how much is wrong with their car – and how much it will cost to fix.
Getting your car serviced on a regular basis can save you a large amount of money in the long term, where failure to identify problems before they develop could result in much more expensive breakdown. Still, there are signs you can watch out for that indicates your car needs a service sooner rather than later – but what are they?
Signs that you are in need of a car service do not come clearer than this. There are warning indicators on your driver-side dash, that indicate if there are any issues with parts of your vehicle or engine. If one of these lights up, you should be straight off to your mechanic at your earliest convenience.
Of course, doing so isn’t necessarily convenient for many drivers, especially if the car seems to be running fine. There is also the possibility of warning lights activating sporadically, which could indicate a much more benign electrical issue. Either way, this is your sign to take those lights seriously. The habit of leaving these lights unaddressed had gotten so widespread that any active warning lights discovered during an MOT are now an instant fail.
Another key sign that your car is in need of a service is the emergence of an unusual sensation when driving. An unfamiliar feeling can be the indicator of a wide number of issues, largely mechanical. You might feel a juddering when you accelerate, or your car may be vibrating when you are travelling at a regular speed.
Juddering and vibrations can be as simple a fix as addressing the suspension or topping up your engine’s oil, but could also belie deeper causes such as a failing timing belt, or serious fault with a piston. Either way, continuing to drive will only make the root cause worse – and could cost you dearly in the long run.
Fuel economy is an important aspect of your car, and one that, if unacknowledged, could cost you a great deal. Granted, noticing rising costs at the fuel pump is nothing new at the moment – but still, you might find yourself visiting petrol stations a bit more often than you are used to.
There are various reasons your car might be experiencing decreased fuel economy; in many cases, your tyre pressure can be the root cause, where more contact with the road causes more road resistance for the engine to defeat. A poorly-lubricated engine will struggle more, and use more fuel in the process, as will an engine with a key mechanical issue.
If you drive a car with a manual transmission, you will be no stranger to the various noises that result from changing gear – especially when doing so poorly. But this will tune you in to when your transmission makes noises it should, such as grinding or chugging sounds. These could indicate missing or leaking transmission fluid, and would be good cause for a servicing.
FOLLOW US TODAY:
