Should I service my car and MOT at the same time?

What's the difference between a car service and an MOT test?

It is a legal requirement for your car to have an MOT test annually once the car is more than three years old. It is against the law for you to drive, or even have your car parked on a public road, without a valid MOT test certificate. An MOT test is to make sure your car is in roadworthy condition and is carried out to meet regulations set by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). 

While it's not a crime to not have your car serviced regularly, it is very highly recommended. Car services aren't carried out to DVSA standards, but to manufacturer guidelines to ensure the cars are kept in line with their warranty plans. 

Different types of checks for wear and tear are carried out in an MOT and a service too. No parts of the car will be replaced or changed during an MOT, while certain parts, such as the air filter and engine oil, will be during its service. .

When is my MOT due?

A valid MOT certificate lasts for 12 months, so your MOT expires exactly a year after the last test.  

You can book a test up to a month minus a day in advance of the expiration to keep the same MOT due date. For example, if the MOT runs out on the 17th May the earliest you can take it for a new certificate is on 18th April. 

To check when your MOT is due, you can visit the government website and enter the registration number.  

You can also use the Department of Transport's free reminder service to check your MOT status. All you need in the vehicle's registration number and an email address or phone number. You'll receive an email or a text message reminding you of when it's due.

When do I need to get my car serviced?

It is recommended that you have your car serviced every 12 months to ensure the vehicle is safe. 

Manufacturers also recommend regular servicing of their cars each year so that they're kept in line with the car maker's warranty plan. Not having your car maintained the manufacturer's authorised standard could lead to any warranty claim being invalid and therefore leaving you out of pocket should anything go wrong.  

If you make regular long journeys or drive more miles than the UK average (12,000 miles) each year, it is also advisable to have an interim service on your car every six months in between a full service. Click here to find out what is included in an interim service. 

Skipping on servicing your car could lead to faults going undetected over time and getting much worse. This will leave you facing much costlier repairs down the line.  

Having a full service history will also improve the value of your vehicle when the time comes to change it. You'll receive a stamp after every service as proof in the car's service book, so it pays to keep this safe.

Should I service my car and MOT at the same time?

Having your car serviced and MOT tested at the same time is a great way to keep your car in as healthy condition as possible. With both carried out at the same time, you can be confident that any possible issues have been identified for extra peace of mind. 

It's also a good way of saving time and money in the long run. One trip each year to take your car in for maintenance is easier than two, and there is also less chance of you forgetting when either of them is due.

Service plans and Free Mot for Life

Chapelhouse offers a range of service plans, including 'Drive Now, Pay Later'. With a Chapelhouse service plan, you can spread the car service costs across monthly payments to help you better manage your money. Click here to find out more about Chapelhouse service plans. 

We also give our customers Free MOT tests for life as part of their service plan. This great offer also applies to customers who have bought any New or Used car from us.