If you have been fortunate enough to be able to buy a brand-new car, you will know that often your purchase comes with a maintenance and/or service plan and that it’s important to keep up with the service intervals* as specified in your purchase plan to maintain the manufacturer’s warranty. But, eventually the maintenance and/or service plan runs out – or if the car you bought is an older, second-hand model – then the sole responsibility falls on you to ensure that your car is well maintained.
Here are three important reasons why you should have your car serviced at regular intervals.
#1 Safety is the priority
The number one reason to keep up with maintenance and regularly servicing your car is to protect you, your family and other road users. There can be many potential causes that lead to a collision and, while factors of human behaviour or error are most commonly at the root cause, according to the 2016-2017 report by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), vehicle neglect that can lead to malfunction is also a major concern. In fact, human behaviour or error can be worsened by, for example, faulty steering, an inadequate braking system, improper fluid levels, worn windshield wipers, tire neglect, and other vehicle maintenance-related problems – all of which can lead to serious, and sometimes even fatal, collisions.
#2 Protecting your purchase
For most people, a car is the most expensive purchase you will make, second only to buying property, and you want to protect the value of your purchase – for as long as possible. Unlike property – where values can fluctuate up-and-down over the longer term based on the property market – the value of your car continuously depreciates over time and is based on usage (specifically the mileage). However, if you don’t maintain your car well and keep up with regular services, this value can depreciate faster – because the value isn’t just linked to how well your car appears from the outside, but also its inner workings and how well it performs.
#3 It can save you money
In addition to maintaining a higher value for your car, having it serviced at regular intervals will ensure that your car performs optimally, which can have a direct impact on efficiency and maintaining a good fuel economy ratio. This can also save you money by preventing unexpected mechanical issues or maintenance expenses – and prolong the longevity of the engine and overall lifespan of your car.
If you’ve ever unexpectedly broken down next to the road or been in a situation where something mechanical on your car has malfunctioned, then you can probably appreciate how stressful such situations can be. Ensuring your car is maintained properly can prevent problems like these from occurring and give you added peace of mind that your car is performing optimally – keeping you safe, protecting your purchase and saving you money.
*Service notifications can be set up via the Matrix Internet Tracking platform