How Missing Car Servicing or MOT Affects Vehicle Safety

Even waiting for a cab for 5 mins seems like a daunting task. Everyone wants to reach their destination as soon as possible. So, the demand for cars has been on the rise for more than a decade. What used to be a luxury is now considered an absolute necessity. Because of heavy reliance on cars these days, it is important to keep them in top shape. This is why car servicing is something which should not be skipped.   

A car without proper servicing can be unpredictable, which can lead to road accidents. Such cars usually fail to perform well on the road due to reduced grip and control.  The fact is that all the internal and external parts of a car must be checked and serviced regularly to keep them in good working order.  One cannot expect a car to perform at its best if it has not been serviced for a year. Even a car that has not been used regularly requires servicing to preserve its health. So, irrespective of whether the car has been on the road or not, regular servicing is an absolute need. Let’s answer some of the key questions about car servicing. 

What Are the Types of Car Servicing? 

There are basically three types of car servicing Stoke on Trent, which include an interim car service, a full car service, and a major car service. Let’s discuss these three services. 

Interim car service – Interim car service is a basic car maintenance service. This service is usually recommended after the car has been driven for more than 5,000 miles. 

Full car service – This service is more comprehensive and includes all the services covered in an interim service, along with a few additional services to enhance the performance of the car. This service is required after the car has been driven over 10,000 miles. 

Major car service – A major car service includes all the services covered in interim and full car services, along with extensive repair and replacement services. This service is required after the car has been driven over 20,000 miles. 

What Will Happen If a Car Is Not Serviced Regularly? 

If a car is not serviced regularly, there can be many negative effects that cause it to perform poorly on the roads. Given below are some of the negatives of not servicing a car regularly: 

• The safety of the driver and passengers will be compromised due to increased braking distance and reduced control. When a car is not serviced properly, the internal parts deteriorate over time, which can lead to road accidents. For instance, a vehicle owner may drive their car with faulty brakes, poor tyre condition, or a worn-out clutch system. Such small issues can impact driving to a great extent. 
• The car may produce excessive smoke while driving if the exhaust system is not working properly. This can lead to a failed MOT test, as there is a permissible limit for the amount of smoke a car can emit. 
• The fuel consumption of the car may increase. Poorly maintained cars consume an excess amount of fuel as the rolling resistance increases. When rolling resistance increases, the engine has to work harder, causing it to burn more fuel. 
• The car may break down frequently. The frequency of breakdowns in poorly maintained cars is much higher compared to properly maintained vehicles. Parts in unserviced cars often deteriorate faster, increasing the risk of breakdowns and reducing the lifespan of the car. 
• The resale value of the car may drop significantly if it has not been maintained properly. Potential buyers often want to ensure the car is in good condition and may ask for the latest service reports. If car owners fail to provide proper service records, buyers may lose interest or quote a lower price. 
• The car may be unable to absorb road shocks effectively. Driving a poorly maintained car can be exhausting, as such vehicles often produce excessive noise, vibrations, and jerking. To ensure a car offers superior comfort while driving, regular servicing is essential. 

MOT Test: An Important Aspect for Driving 

Apart from car servicing, an MOT is another critical requirement for cars that are over three years old. This test checks all the vital components of the car to ensure they are in proper condition. The main purpose of this test is to ensure the vehicle complies with the environmental and legal standards of the UK. The main difference between car servicing and an MOT test is that servicing includes both identification and resolution of issues, whereas an MOT Stoke on Trent only identifies issues. 

Conclusion 

There is no denying the fact that both car servicing and MOT are an absolute necessity for a car to perform well on the roads. Car servicing helps increase not only the performance of the car but also ensures safety to the driver, passengers and others on the road.  It includes both identifying the car problems and resolving them. And MOT helps ensure the car complies with all the environmental and legal standards of the UK.  Skipping either one means compromising on safety.