What Is The Difference Between A MOT And A Car Service?

Regular car servicing is the best way to get the most out of your car. It ensures that your car performs to the best of its capabilities while extending its lifespan and resale value. However, a car service is not a substitute for an MOT test, and vice versa. An MOT and a car service are two very different things, as explained in the following blog.

Many people believe that when they go for an MOT, they can actually skip their car servicing. It is a very popular misconception, though. Both an MOT test and car servicing have very different purposes. If you want to learn more about how they differ and why you should go for both, keep reading.

What is an MOT?

As many car owners know, an MOT is a government-mandated annual test of your vehicle. It is a legal requirement, and you have to pass an MOT every year if you want to continue driving your car on the road. If you drive without one, you can be held liable and fined up to £100 to £2,500. Furthermore, your insurance can also be invalidated. 

When you go for an MOT Peterborough, it checks your car’s roadworthiness. It is more geared towards safety and environmental concerns. Thus, the check doesn’t include your engine. 

What happens during an MOT?

There are a number of tests you have to go through when you appear for your MOT, such as:

• The vehicle’s exterior body is checked for excessive corrosion or any sharp edges that can be a safety concern.

• Towbars are checked to ensure they are properly secure and not modified beyond the limit.

• The car’s exhaust emission levels are checked to ensure they meet the environmental guidelines.

• Brakes are also checked. 

• The fuel system is inspected for any leaks or faulty fuel caps.

• Finally, tyres are also looked at to see whether they have the appropriate tread depth and size. 

What is a car service?

When you go to an auto repair shop for a complete checkup of the condition and performance of your car, it is called car maintenance or car servicing. This includes not only a thorough inspection of each car component, but also doing the required repairs or replacements. 

Regular car servicing has been found to be extremely helpful in keeping a car running for a long time and in the best possible condition. It extends the lifespan of the vehicle and also ensures that you get a good price if you ever want to sell it off. While it might cost you money, in the long run, a quality car service provider will end up saving you a lot more on repairs and replacements. 

What Happens During A Car Service?

When you go for Car Servicing Peterborough, you should expect different tyres of services to be offered. Typically, they can be categorized into two categories: minor service and major service. Minor service, as the name suggests, is an inspection of important car components, necessary fluid changes, filter replacements, and other miscellaneous tasks, whereas a major service entails a much more in-depth inspection of every car component and replacing or changing almost every filter, fluid, or chord in your car. 

Differences Between A MOT And Car Service?

Now, you must have realized that a MOT test and a car service are two very distinct things, however, that doesn't mean there aren’t any similarities. In fact, MOT and car servicing do complement each other quite beautifully. If you go for regular car servicing, then passing the MOT can be much easier. Similarly, whether you pass or even fail your MOT, you will know what to focus on when you go for your next car servicing. 

But, if you talk about the differences, there are many. Firstly, MOT is more centered on your car’s roadworthiness. It ensures that your car is safe to drive and doesn't pollute the environment that much. On the other hand, your car servicing is mostly concerned with keeping your car in optimum condition.

MOT

• It is a legal requirement. You have to not only appear for annual MOT tests but also pass them if you want to continue driving on the roads. 

• The test focuses mostly on safety, emissions, and overall roadworthiness.

• There are a set of guidelines and legal requirements your car has to meet in order to pass the MOT.

Car Service

• You are not legally required to go for any car servicing.

• It is more comprehensive and carries an in-depth inspection of your car.

• The focus is on making sure that your car performs to the best of its capabilities. 

Do You Require Both MOTs and Car Servicing?

So, we come to the final question, whether you should go for both MOT and car servicing, or even one is enough? We always recommend readers go for both. You can not exactly skip an MOT, as it is a legal requirement. And even if you pass your MOT, it doesn't mean that your car doesn't have any issues or that it is operating to the best of its capabilities. 

If you want to keep driving your car for a long time, we urge you to consider regular car servicing, as it takes care of big and small issues at the same time. The annual maintenance will also ensure that your car remains at a higher resale value. So, unlike an MOT that will only assure you of your car’s road safety and its impact on the environment, car servicing will prove to be more economical in the long run.