Book car servicing

A car service - sometimes called a tune-up, though that term can be misleading - is essentially a routine health check for your vehicle.

It happens either after a set mileage or at a time interval, depending on what the manufacturer recommends.

Many modern cars now remind you automatically, flashing a notice on the dashboard when it’s time.

This isn’t the same as engine tuning. Tuning is about chasing performance, pushing the engine beyond what it was originally designed for.

Servicing, on the other hand, is about maintenance.

What usually happens during a service

The work itself tends to fall into three broad areas:

• Inspections. Mechanics look over major components for signs of wear, leaks, or anything unusual. Increasingly, they’ll also plug in diagnostic equipment to spot faults in electronic systems.
• Replacements. Oil, filters, spark plugs. Many items degrade naturally over time. Rather than waiting for a breakdown, they’re changed as part of routine service.
• Adjustments. Not everything has to be swapped out. Some parts just need fine-tuning as they age—for example, a handbrake cable that’s stretched a little.

The details are logged afterwards. Either in the old-fashioned service book or, more commonly now, in a digital record.

Different levels of service

Not all services are created equal.

An interim service covers the basics. A full service adds a more thorough set of checks. And a major service goes further still.

Why servicing matters

The service schedule in your handbook might assume fairly gentle use.

Real-world driving doesn’t always match that.

Short daily trips, very hot or cold weather, or hours of stop-start traffic put extra strain on a vehicle.

So do steep mountain roads, dusty conditions, or towing heavy loads.

Most manufacturers recommend servicing your car once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Modern cars may also use dashboard reminders or mileage intervals.

Many people alternate between interim, full, and major services depending on age and usage of the vehicle. Ignoring service intervals can lead to reduced efficiency, costly repairs, and potential breakdowns.

What’s included depends on the type of service (interim, full, or major). Typically, a service covers oil and filter changes, checks on fluid levels (coolant, brake fluid, power steering, screenwash), and inspections of brakes, tyres, suspension, lights, and exhausts.

Below is a breakdown of the 3 different types of services you can book at Blackcircles and what is checked during each one:

Tip:Full Service is recommended every 12 months / 12,000 miles. Major Service is recommended every 24 months / 24,000 miles. Interim Service is ideal for high-mileage drivers between major intervals.

An MOT is a legal test that checks whether your car meets road safety and environmental standards. A car service is maintenance-based and keeps your car running reliably.

An MOT doesn’t involve changing oil, filters, or fluids, but a service does. While you can have one without the other, combining them ensures your car is both legally compliant and well-maintained.

Skipping regular servicing may save money in the short term but can lead to bigger problems later. Without servicing, vital components like brakes, tyres, and fluids wear out unnoticed, increasing the risk of breakdowns and expensive repairs.

It can also reduce fuel efficiency, lower resale value, and may even void your manufacturer’s warranty.

A full service is usually recommended once a year, while a major service is typically required every two years. High mileage drivers may need them more often.

Regular servicing ensures your car remains reliable and helps prevent unexpected repair costs. Always check your car’s service manual for the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

A full service includes oil and oil filter changes, fluid level checks and top-ups, air and pollen filter replacements, and inspections of brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, exhaust, and lights.

Here is a full breakdown of what is included in a Blackcircles full service:

Tip: A Full Service is typically recommended every 12 months or 12,000 miles, while a Major Service is ideal every 24 months or 24,000 miles. Interim Services are great between major intervals, especially for high-mileage drivers.
 

A major service includes everything in a full service, with additional replacements such as brake fluid, cabin filters, and sometimes fuel filters. It also involves more in-depth checks on the braking system, suspension, and electrical components.

Here is a full breakdown of what is included in a Blackcircles major service:

Tip: A Full Service is typically recommended every 12 months or 12,000 miles, while a Major Service is ideal every 24 months or 24,000 miles. Interim Services are great between major intervals, especially for high-mileage drivers.
 

The cost of a car service varies depending on the type of service and your vehicle. An interim service is usually the cheapest, while a full or major service costs more due to extra parts and labour involved.

An interim service can usually be completed in 1–2 hours. A full service may take 2–3 hours. A major service can take half a day or more depending on the work required.

If additional repairs are identified, your car may need to stay in the garage longer. Booking in advance allows you to plan around the time your car will be off the road.

In most cases, you only need to bring your car and keys to a service appointment. However, it’s useful to have your service book (so the garage can stamp it), locking wheel nut key, and any relevant paperwork if faults have been repaired recently.

Make sure your car has enough fuel or battery charge, and remove any personal belongings that may obstruct checks.

Yes, a service can help diagnose the cause of dashboard warning lights. Mechanics will run diagnostic checks and visually inspect components.

However, not all faults are automatically fixed during a routine service. Additional repairs may be quoted separately if required. Regular servicing helps catch issues early before they become bigger problems.

Yes, during a service the condition of your brakes is checked, including pads, discs, and brake fluid levels. In a major service, brake fluid is usually replaced completely.

If brake parts are worn, the garage will advise on replacements and quote for this separately. Maintaining your braking system is vital for safety, and regular checks help avoid MOT failures.

Yes, an oil and oil filter change is a key part of every service. Clean oil keeps your engine lubricated, prevents overheating, and improves efficiency.

Neglecting oil changes can cause severe engine damage, making this one of the most important aspects of servicing.

Yes, many Blackcircles partner garages are equipped to service both hybrid and fully electric cars. While EVs don’t require oil changes or exhaust checks, they still need servicing for tyres, brakes, suspension, cooling systems, and electrical components.

Hybrids require a mix of both engine and electric checks, including battery health and high-voltage cabling inspections.

Petrol and diesel cars require more engine maintenance, such as oil and filter changes, spark plugs, and exhaust checks. Hybrid cars combine both systems, so they need engine servicing alongside checks on electric motors and batteries.

EVs have fewer moving parts and require less frequent maintenance, but still need brake, tyre, suspension, and electrical system inspections. Each type of vehicle has unique needs, but all benefit from regular servicing to stay safe and efficient.