Regular servicing is the simplest way to keep a car reliable and to catch small problems before they turn into large ones. NRH Autoworks carries out car service and van servicing at our garage on Windsor Road in Bray, a short drive from Maidenhead town centre, and we work on most makes and models.
To arrange a service, enter your registration on the enquiry form so we can see exactly which vehicle and engine you have. Tell us roughly when it was last serviced and anything you've noticed while driving, and we'll contact you by phone or email to discuss what's due and arrange a date.
What we can help with
- Interim services: engine oil and oil filter change
- Full services with air and pollen filters
- Spark plugs or fuel filter as applicable
- Brake, suspension and steering checks
- Brake fluid, coolant and transmission fluid changes
- Auxiliary belt inspection and replacement
Signs your car is due a service
- The service light or a spanner symbol has appeared on the dashboard
- It has been a year or more since the last service
- You've covered a lot of miles since it was last looked at
- The engine sounds rougher or noisier than it used to
- Fuel economy has dropped for no obvious reason
- You've just bought the car and the service history is patchy
Interim service
An interim service is the lighter of the two, and suits cars that cover a lot of miles between full services or spend their lives on short trips. The engine oil and oil filter are changed, because oil degrades with heat, time and mileage. We top up the fluid levels (coolant, brake fluid and screenwash) and carry out a safety check of the lights and tyres. If anything else catches our eye while the car is with us, we'll tell you about it.
Full service
A full service includes everything in the interim service and goes further. The air filter and pollen filter are replaced, along with the spark plugs on a petrol engine or the fuel filter on a diesel where the car's schedule calls for them. The brakes get a thorough inspection rather than a glance through the wheels, and we check the suspension and steering for wear, play and leaks.
Exactly what your car needs depends on its age, mileage and the manufacturer's schedule, which is why we ask for the registration first. If you're not sure what's due, tell us what you know about its history (even a rough date or mileage helps) and we'll advise on a sensible starting point.
Fluid changes
Several fluids have a working life of their own, separate from the oil. Brake fluid absorbs moisture, which lowers its boiling point. Coolant contains antifreeze and corrosion inhibitors that weaken with age. Power steering fluid and transmission fluid, in both manual and automatic gearboxes, break down gradually with heat and use. We can change any of these, on their own or alongside a service. Intervals vary between manufacturers, so treat any rule of thumb as a guide and check your handbook.
Belts, and anything else we find
The auxiliary belt, sometimes called the drive belt, turns the alternator and, depending on the car, the power steering pump and other ancillaries. We inspect it for cracks, fraying and glazing, and replace it when it's worn; a squeal on start-up is a common early sign. The timing belt is a separate and bigger job, which we cover on our engine repairs page.
A service often turns up items that need attention now or in the near future: brake pads getting low, a tyre close to the limit, a split rubber boot or a weeping seal. We'll tell you what we've found, how urgent we think it is, and what can reasonably wait. Any additional work is your decision, and we won't carry it out without speaking to you first.
Servicing: common questions
Do you service vans as well as cars?
Yes. We service cars and light commercial vans at our garage in Bray, near Maidenhead. Enter the van's registration on the enquiry form and we'll see the engine and service schedule it needs. If it's a work van, tell us when it needs to be back on the road and we'll plan around that.
How often should my car be serviced?
Follow the schedule in your vehicle's handbook, which gives both a time and a mileage interval. For many cars that works out at roughly once a year, or sooner if you cover high mileage. Lots of short journeys are harder on oil than motorway driving, so low-mileage cars still need regular attention.
Do I need an interim service or a full service?
As a guide, a full service once a year suits most drivers, with an interim service in between if you cover high mileage or the car works hard on short journeys. Your handbook sets out the manufacturer's schedule. Tell us your mileage and when it was last serviced, and we'll suggest which makes sense.
What's the difference between a service and an MOT?
An MOT is a legal inspection confirming the car meets minimum safety and emissions standards on the day of the test. Nothing is replaced or maintained. A service is maintenance: changing oil and filters and checking components for wear. A car can pass its MOT and still be well overdue a service.
How do I arrange a service with you?
Use the enquiry form on this website. Enter your registration, choose servicing, and tell us when the car was last serviced if you know. Add anything you'd like us to look at while it's with us. We'll then contact you by phone or email to discuss what's needed and agree a date.
Can you look at a separate problem while the car is in for a service?
Yes, and it's the ideal time to mention it. Describe the noise, warning light or concern in your enquiry so we know about it in advance and can plan for it. We'll investigate, tell you what we've found and discuss any repair with you before going ahead.