Whether you are a car enthusiast or you own a car to get you from A to B, it is important to look after your vehicle. Like anything, if you don’t look after it or take preventative measures against damage, then it will end up needing repairs, or ultimately break down.
When it comes to vehicles, a service is just like going to the doctor for your annual health check up. Your mechanic will check that your car is operating as it should and alert you to any issues that could be of concern. The service is not something that you should neglect as it might mean that you are making your car unsafe to drive.
A service involves a general check of your vehicle’s health as well as simple things like an oil and filter change. This is something that needs to be done on a regular basis too, not simply when you notice the car hasn’t been running well.
Here are the pros and cons of taking your car for a service…
The Risks Of Skipping Your Service
When money is tight it can be hard to bring yourself around to spending a couple of hundred dollars on a service. But you could actually be saving yourself thousands in the long run. Something as simple as running out of oil can cause your car to overheat and damage critical parts of the engine beyond repair.
When you compare the cost of a service to the cost of the major parts of your car, you will see that a service is actually saving you money. A new engine could set you back up to $15,000 depending on the power and availability. Even aspects like cylinders, radiators and water pumps can set you back up to $3000 each.
Aside from the financial considerations, there is also the safety aspect. What if you were driving with your family in the car and something on your car faults? There is no guarantee that you would be able to stop safely without putting yourselves and other motorists at risk.
The Benefits Of A Service
The biggest benefit is that you can catch the problems early before they become too much of a financial investment, or a safety risk.
Vehicle servicing is also known as preventative maintenance. If you have your car serviced every 6 months, or at least every year, then your mechanic can catch any issues as they arise. Repairs will be less complicated and less expensive.
There are parts in your vehicle that are not designed to last forever, they wear out with continual use. These are parts like air, pollen and fuel filters, to engine oil, antifreeze and driveline fluids, and spark plugs. If these parts are not replaced regularly, they can cause larger more serious problems with your vehicle.
Proving that you have a regular service record will also give your car a better resale value as the buyer will know it has been well cared for and there are no scary issues that will pop up as they drive the car away!
Kelvin Armstrong Auto Repairs (KAAR) is recognised as the most competent, capable, and reliable automotive repairer west of the Auckland City isthmus.
With fully equipped, state of art facilities in both Avondale and Henderson, KAAR gives a choice of two handy locations for full automotive, mechanical, electrical repairs and servicing for all vehicles, including European makes and models like Audi, VW and BMW.
We cater for all makes and models of cars, vans, 4x4s and light trucks. We service petrol, diesel and hybrid motors.