Do I need to get my used car serviced?
WHEN you buy a new or manufacturerapproved used car, getting it serviced when required is a no-brainer. With a new car, free servicing is often used as an enticement to buy or you can get a cost-saving package of services, so it’s in your interest to book your car in for attention when necessary.
A manufacturer-approved car will probably have a decent maintenance history and be sold with a recent service. Plus, with both used and new cars, not servicing them when required will hit you in the wallet at resale time.
But what if the car is older, with an incomplete or missing service history? An independent dealer may service it before they sell it, but that’s unlikely if you’re buying privately, and you only have your own roadside checks to assess its condition.
So is it worth getting these older cars serviced? In a word, yes – and first check to see if it has a cam belt, when it needs replacing and if the job has been done. If it is beyond the replacement mileage or period and you can’t tell if it has been done, change it. Depending on your skills, the job is probably best done by a workshop. Water pumps are often replaced at the same time. Don’t ignore this, because belt failure can be catastrophic.
However, regular service items can be done with minimal DIY skills. Oil changes are required to maintain a reliable engine, while checks on the tyres’ pressure and condition are relatively easy. Other fluids need checking and replacing at intervals as well, which is not usually too taxing. Air and cabin filters can also be done easily. Spark plugs require replacing too, and as with all of these items, check the car manufacturer’s service intervals.
Braking and suspension systems need checking, but this needs some level of experience and kit to get the car safely off the ground. Finally, the electronics need assessing.
Ignore any of these jobs and you increase the risk of a failure or breakdown. So whether you do the jobs yourself or pay the professionals, don’t ignore them.