The quick difference between an MOT and a service
Your MOT and car service complement each other. The difference between an MOT and a car service is that the MOT covers safety and emissions, whereas your car service makes sure your car is well-maintained and in tip top working order.
In this post, we look in more detail at what’s included in an MOT and a service, and the difference between the two. Read on so you know what to expect from your MOT or full car service.
What is an MOT
An MOT is a simple, compulsory vehicle safety and compliance check. It’s designed to make sure your car is safe to drive.
Your vehicle currently needs to have an MOT test every year. You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving without a valid MOT. If you’re not sure when your MOT is due, there is a service on the gov.uk website where you can check when your MOT is due.
In short, your vehicle must have a regular MOT check to ensure that it is within the legal limits set by the UK government for vehicle safety and emissions.
What isn’t included in an MOT
In the process of the MOT, your car might fail some of the tests.
However, no mechanical or remedial work will be performed as part of the MOT. The workshop is not allowed to fix anything as part of the MOT. It is only permitted to test.
If any part of the test is failed, the failure is logged and the test continues. After the test in complete, you will be informed by the mechanics of any remedial work that needs to be done to the vehicle.
Only after the MOT is complete can the repair be undertaken. The vehicle must then be presented for a retest.
Other issues may be highlighted by an MOT that won’t need to be fixed immediately. These are called advisory notices, and will need to be addressed in the future. This could be something like minor wear on the tyres indicating that they will need to be replaced soon, but are not considered dangerous.
The MOT is a very specific set of tests defined by the government. It does not include things like the tyre pressure, oil or other fluid levels, or engine diagnostics. For these, you’ll need to have your car serviced.
What is a full car service
An MOT test is not a full car service and you can’t assume that every part of your car is working perfectly just because it’s had an MOT. To make sure your car is well-maintained and running smoothly, you’ll need to bring it in for a service.
A full service is a more complete review of all the parts of your car or van that need regular maintenance.
A service at a reputable workshop will check all the life-limited components of the car. A service at VFR Motors includes checks on all the major parts like brakes, wheels and tyres, suspension.
Filters are checked and replaced if they’re past their useful life. This includes the fuel filter, air filter, oil filter, and pollen filter.
We check all the fluids your car needs during a service – the oil, screen wash, and antifreeze concentrate levels. We check the external lights, dashboard lights, wiper blades, and lubricate door locks and hinges. We also perform a basic diagnostic read of the car’s computer which will highlight any faults.
Finally, a full service includes a short test drive where the mechanic will listen for any signs of mechanical defects.
As you can see, there are a lot of maintenance checks that happen to keep your vehicle happy and running smoothly!
What isn’t included in a car service
A car service does not include emissions tests and certain other safety tests that are part of an MOT. As such it is not a substitute for your annual MOT test.
However, a regular car service will ensure you get the most out of the life of your vehicle.
The difference between an MOT and a car service
So, there you have it. The difference between an MOT and a car service is that your MOT is a legal requirement for driving in the UK which covers safety and emissions, whereas your car service makes sure your car is well-oiled, well-loved, working at its best.
Book your MOT or car service
If your car needs an MOT, a full service, or both, give us a call and we can book you in. But don’t wait until the last minute! Our workshop is very busy and we can’t guarantee same day appointments.
If you’d like to have a chat, get in touch using our contact form or give us a call on either of these numbers: 0116 3190 118 or mobile 07850 881 911.
