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Interim vs full car service: which one do you need?

The difference between an interim and a full service, how often you need each, and what is checked, explained by a Manchester garage.

By the M60 Autos team ·

Most drivers know their car needs servicing but aren't sure which service to book. Here's the simple version.

Interim service — every 6 months or 6,000 miles

An interim service is a top-up between full services. It's ideal if you drive a lot of miles, do lots of short trips, or use your car for work. It usually includes an oil and filter change, fluid top-ups, and safety checks on lights, tyres, brakes and steering.

Full service — every 12 months or 12,000 miles

A full service is a complete yearly check. As well as everything in an interim service, it typically adds an air filter, a more detailed brake and suspension inspection, checks on the battery, exhaust and cooling system, and a road test.

Manufacturer service

If your car is under warranty, follow the manufacturer's schedule. Independent garages like ours can carry out manufacturer-schedule servicing using parts that meet the required specification, and stamp your service book, which keeps your warranty valid under UK law.

Save time: combine it with your MOT

Booking your service and MOT together means one trip, one drop-off, and any problems found are fixed before the test.

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