A detailed checklist for car maintenance
Your car is a large machine that moves on busy roads. Therefore, its maintenance is vital for road safety and performance. Since your car has various fixed and moving components, you need the proper help of a mechanic.
Car drivers get a user manual with their vehicles for proper Car Repair Reading at regular intervals. This document provides necessary information about the different components of your vehicle. Moreover, it contains tips to keep these components in good condition. Moreover, you get full information about the car servicing schedule. According to this schedule, you must visit a garage regularly for a full checkup of your vehicle.
Similarly, An MOT center checks your vehicle for safety reasons every year. This process is called the Ministry of Transport or MOT test. This test is mandatory for all vehicles that are over three years old.
What should you expect during car service?
According to your user manual, you need to visit a car service center at regular intervals. Generally, car service centers offer a car service every 6 months, 12 months and 24 months. After 6 months, garages offer a basic service and after 12 months, they offer a major service that is more comprehensive than basic service. After 24 months, the service center offers major services that include the most vital components of the vehicle with necessary maintenance steps.
Some vital components that are checked during a car service include brakes, tyres, suspension, steering, exhaust, car battery, and fluids.
What should you expect during an MOT test?
During the MOT test, an MOT Reading technician will check your car for safety issues. There are mainly three categories of mechanical faults: minor, major, and dangerous. If any component of your car has major or dangerous faults, you will not clear the test. Your car will clear the test only if it does not have any mechanical fault. You may pass the test in the case of minor faults as well.
After your car passes its MOT test, you will get a certificate that is valid for one year. You need to bring your car for the test again next year to get a new certificate.
Why is car service advantageous?
Car service is advantageous because it keeps your vehicle fit and fine for a long time. Your vehicle is a machine that is a combination of several small and large components. These components function constantly when you enjoy driving on a long highway. Therefore, these components may develop mechanical faults at any time and you need to repair the fault instantly.
A lot of moving components in your car need lubrication regularly to avoid issues like corrosion and damage. Moreover, several parts of your vehicle need cleaning. For example, an air filter needs proper cleaning to maintain the efficiency of your vehicle. Your mechanic performs these steps and checks the car parts for mechanical issues.
If you ignore the maintenance of your car for a long period, issues like leakage, corrosion, scratches, and damage will take place in your vehicle to reduce its efficiency. Therefore, you need regular car maintenance to keep it free of mechanical faults.
A car with proper maintenance is going to serve your needs for a long time. Mechanical faults like scratches, leakage, and corrosion make the component weaker over time. After a limit, repair work also becomes ineffective to restore the previous condition of your vehicle. At this time, you must replace your car with a new one. Poor maintenance of a vehicle decreases the rate of damage and wear and tear. As a result, your car will reach the time of retirement gradually.
Why is MOT advantageous?
MOT is beneficial because it keeps your vehicles safe on roads. According to the instructions of MOT, you must submit your vehicle to the MOT center every year. It means you get a golden chance to check your vehicle for safety issues. Getting a certificate after the test is clear proof that your vehicle is not unsafe for the driver, passengers, or road users.
Since MOT is legal, drivers cannot avoid this test in any circumstances. Therefore, this test indirectly motivates car drivers to examine their vehicles for safety issues.
A safety checklist
If you want to maintain your car to enhance its performance or to just clear the MOT center, you must make a checklist. This checklist should include vital components of your vehicle along with necessary maintenance steps.
As an example, you can start vehicle maintenance with this handy checklist:
Car tyres
You have to check your tyres for inflation level and tread depth. The tread depth of the tyres should be above 1.6mm. Tyres are not legal if they do not have sufficient tread depth.
Moreover, you should tyres for physical damage like cracks, bulges, and cuts. These issues suck the performance level of car tyres gradually.
Windscreen wipers:
Windscreen wipers are vital during winter or rainy season. You must change windscreen wipers every year. Regularly check them for damage and proper functioning.
Car battery:
A car battery is responsible for supplying power to the car engine, starter, and other electrical components. You have to check your car battery regularly because it is a season-conscious component.
Oil and coolant levels:
Regular checkup of the coolant level is also an essential task for car maintenance. Low levels of this fluid can lead to multiple issues in the car engine.
Air filter:
An air filter regulates the flow of air into your car engine. It keeps debris and dust out to maintain a clean environment. Sometimes, it is clogged due to dust and dirt. You must replace the air filter at regular intervals.
Finally, if you consider this checklist, you will keep your car in good condition for a long time. Moreover, you will be able to satisfy the tester when you visit a MOT Test Reading center for an annual checkup of your vehicle.