What Distinguishes a Service from a MOT?

by Ritz Garage Car Repair and MOT Centre Birmingham

Responsible automobile ownership includes doing regular maintenance on your vehicle. The MOT (Ministry of Transport) test and routine servicing are two crucial aspects of automobile upkeep. Both are necessary for guaranteeing the safety and durability of your car, but they have different functions and call for different steps. You might be surprised to find that a lot of UK drivers can't tell the difference between a MOT and a service! Although the two procedures are separate, they are related since many drivers have a Car Service Birmingham and a MOT at the same automobile.

What is an MOT?

An MOT is a yearly, legally mandated examination of your vehicle. To assess if your automobile is roadworthy and safe to drive, your MOT will adhere to a precise set of standards. The MOT itself doesn't contain any repairs or other adjustments, even though it could propose a few.

When doing a MOT, your mechanic will look for:

Your vehicle's number plate number
The number on your number plate
Your lighting
Your suspension and steering
The bottle containing wipers and washing
The windscreen
The horn
Your seatbelts
Your seats
The refuelling system
The emitted substances
The doors.
The mirrors.
Your tyres and wheels
The brakes.

Once it is three years old or older, your automobile must get a yearly MOT in the UK in order to ensure its safety. The focus of a MOT is safety, not performance, hence performance will not be examined.

What is a service?

While doing a service, your mechanic will inspect your brakes and seat belts and replace or repair any worn out parts. To help your automobile perform at its best, your service will typically also involve procedures like changing your fuel filters, spark plugs, and other components.

Your mechanic follows the instructions provided by the vehicle's manufacturer while performing a service. Some may provide additional windscreen washer fluid, while others charge for it.

The key distinctions between services and MOTs

Your technician will give you advice on the work that needs to be done once your MOT verifies that your car is safe to drive. There is no "fine-tuning" required; you will either pass or fail the MOT.

Services are the "fine-tuning" for your vehicle. They assist you in keeping your automobile in top condition so that it will operate effectively and for a longer period of time. Although it is not required by law, having a service is advisable since it can identify minor issues before they escalate.

Why are an annual service and a MOT necessary?

You need a MOT since it's a legal obligation to ensure that your automobile is roadworthy. Additionally, it's necessary for your insurance because a coverage without a MOT certificate is void. Although having a service is not legally required, doing so is beneficial for several reasons.

Your safety

Parts deteriorate with time, and you might not notice the steady decline until it becomes severe. Regular maintenance can identify little faults and take care of them before they grow and become more expensive.

You'll make financial savings.

Regular maintenance will save you from having to pay hefty repair fees all at once since you continued to drive despite a developing problem.

Higher resale value

If you can demonstrate that your automobile has received frequent and comprehensive servicing, buyers will pay more for it since they know they're receiving a well-kept vehicle.

Your vehicle will last more

Your automobile will live longer if you take better care of it. Your engine will last considerably longer if you change the oil periodically. Driving without a MOT certificate is possible.

You cannot drive since having a current MOT is legally necessary. On your route to a scheduled MOT appointment is the only time you are allowed to drive without one. The yearly MOT is required by law once your automobile is more than three years old, but your MOT centre is not required to remind you, therefore you should set a reminder yourself.

Additionally, it's a good idea to get your MOT performed before your current certificate expires in case you fail and need to wait while your car is fixed and retested. The optimal time to get a new MOT is a month before the old one expires so that your mechanic can date the new certificate based on when the previous one expired. If you don't have a MOT, your auto insurance is void.

Conclusion

The safety, dependability, and lifespan of your vehicle are ultimately ensured by both a MOT and a service. While a MOT is legally mandated and primarily concerned with safety and emissions compliance, a service is a thorough maintenance operation that is advised by manufacturers and specialists. While a MOT Birmingham guarantees that your vehicle complies with safety and environmental regulations for road legality, regular service helps avoid problems, extends the life of your vehicle, and improves its overall performance. These two auto maintenance procedures work together to make driving safer and more dependable.