How Long Does a Service and MOT Take?

By law, every car that is three years old needs to undergo an annual MOT test to ensure that it is safe on the road and up to date with environmental standards. At Kinghams of Croydon servicing & MOT, we recommend that you take your vehicle for servicing either every 6 months or yearly, depending on your vehicle’s mileage. 

You can always book your MOT at Kinghams of Croydon servicing & MOT within one month of expiry. However, if you’ve never taken your car for a service or MOT test before, you’re probably still wondering, how long does a service and MOT take?

In order to give a clear answer to the aforementioned question, let’s take a look at what exactly a service and MOT test entail first and the difference between the two.

What Happens During an MOT Test?

An MOT test at Kinghams of Croydon Servicing & MOT checks the general health of your vehicle and its parts, ensuring it complies with legal safety and environmental standards. 

Because it’s illegal to drive around the UK with an expired MOT certificate, if you are doing so, your insurance is invalid, and you may face penalties if you neglect to have your MOT and service done on time. MOT certificates expire 12 months after the test. Therefore, you need to make sure you always have an up-to-date MOT certificate.

When you decide to undertake an MOT test at Kinghams of Croydon servicing & MOT, we thoroughly check the following: 

• All lights are working properly.
• Steering and suspension is responsive and working efficiently with no signs of damage, which is a key aspect assessed during a major service.
• Wipers and washer bottle give a clear view of the road.
• Windscreen for any cracks or chips is an important check that is part of the interim service.
• Fuel system for any any leaks or damage to the fuel tank and fuel cap. 
• Wheels and tyres’ condition and tread depth.
• Brakes are responsive and working efficiently.
• Bodywork for any corrosion or damage. 

Unlike a service, an MOT test doesn’t cover the engine, clutch or gearbox. 

What Happens During a Service?

When you take your vehicle for a service, especially at Kinghams of Croydon servicing & MOT, our experienced technicians inspect a whole host of parts and systems. This includes oil and oil filter changes, full tyre inspections, brake checks, steering, fluid and coolant levels, exhausts and a wide range of other checks. 

If anything that is not planned for replacement within the service in question requires attention, the service team present should inform you and explain the reasons for replacement as well as the associated costs. 

Even if you feel as though you don’t use the vehicle much, it still needs to be serviced as unfortunately, things rust, wear, and dirt accumulates. The goal behind Kinghams of Croydon Servicing & MOT is to keep your car in optimal condition. 

Servicing is vital as with regular maintenance, you’re able to keep tabs on what’s wearing, what’s still in top condition and which parts you’re going to have to replace soon. Safety should be a priority. 

Another great part of regular servicing is that it vastly improves the resale value of your vehicle because its condition doesn’t need to be assumed with the help of your MOT test results, but rather confirmed by seeing your extensive service history and that you’ve taken good care of your vehicle.

The Difference Between an MOT Test and Service

The key point of difference between an MOT test and a service is the overall aim of the two. An MOT test is an inspection of your vehicle, with the objective of ensuring that key systems meet minimum safety standards in accordance with government regulations. 

Whereas, a car service is far more comprehensive than an MOT and actually designed to maintain the car’s engine, transmission and other core components in peak condition to ensure their longevity rather than merely assess the vehicle. 

In a servicing context, Kinghams of Croydon servicing & MOT technicians dismantle or remove parts, so a proper look of the inner workings of the vehicle can be achieved. 

Overall, services cover your car’s mechanical heath, an MOT doesn’t. Unlike an MOT, services don’t just stop at the safety-critical parts of your car to ensure everybody on the road that you are driving in a safe and functional car; a major service includes a comprehensive check of all vehicle systems.

How Long Do the Two Take?

Now that we’ve covered the comprehensiveness of the two, we can state how long each of them takes. 

MOT tests generally last between 45 minutes to one hour, and full services typically take no longer than 3 hours to complete. A combined service and MOT test should take around two to four hours to complete. Assuming no significant issues are encountered, you should have your car back the same day. 

It should be noted that the length of a service can depend on various factors, such as whether it’s an interim service or a major service. This includes the age of the car, the model, the type of service (whether an interim or a full service), the mileage of the vehicle, and if any problems are identified within the service or a previous MOT test.

Should I Book a Combined Service and MOT Test?

Booking your car service and MOT test at the same time yearly provides more peace of mind, confidence, and is more convenient, ensuring that both the MOT and service take place together. The chances of you forgetting to do one of them will be eliminated if you just decide to do both at the same time, making sure your car is roadworthy and safe. They can both be completed during the same visit as they only take a couple of hours, saving you another trip to the garage and ensuring that you know how long a service takes. 

At Kinghams Croydon, booking a combined MOT and car service is also very cost-effective. Not only can you save on the total cost, but you’ll also streamline the process by handling both at the same time. The length of time it takes for a service can vary depending on the type of services you choose, but you can generally expect a smooth experience when you book an MOT and a service together. Wondering how long an MOT or car service takes? Find out more about how long an MOT takes and the time a service can take at Kinghams Croydon.

Interested in Kinghams of Croydon Servicing & MOT?

You can rest easy knowing that your vehicle is in the safest hands when you choose us. Our highly trained service and MOT technicians are what give us our fantastic award-winning reputation. 

If you are due for an MOT test soon, why not combine it with a service so every aspect of your car can be checked and tweaked to ensure both optimal safety and longevity. Why not book your service and MOT by contacting us today.