When was the last time you had your car serviced?

Everyone who drives a car knows how important it is to take the car in for regular servicing, but do we actually do it?

With harsh driving conditions in Bermuda, caused by slow speeds and constant “stop and go”, it is crucial to get your car serviced at least once a year for a major service or every six months for a minor service. 

At Bermuda Motors, we stress the importance of routine tune-ups in order to avoid large, costly repairs over the long term.

Taking a proactive approach with your vehicle rather than reactive will save you money and reduce unexpected breakdowns. It’s much better to service your car on a regular basis rather than to bring your car once it has problems.  

With the challenging economy, people are often concerned about the cost. But the cost of a service is far less than what it will cost for major repairs later on if you don’t take care of your car on a regular basis. 

At Bermuda Motors, we offer two kinds of service — minor and major. 

We offer our clients fixed- price servicing on all our models, which means no hidden extras. 

A minor service includes topping your oil, changing the oil filter and a 30 point inspection for $195. 

This is recommended every six months. Our major service is $340 and includes topping up your oil, oil and air filter change, spark plug replacement and a 50-point check. This service is recommended every 12 months. 

In addition to the service, we carry out a general check of the car and take a peek at the engine. 

Here are a few reasons why regular services are needed. 

Prevent breakdowns

Many breakdowns can be avoided with simple and regular car maintenance. A large number of cars still break down today because fluids are allowed to reach low levels or simple repairs are not taken care of in a timely manner. 

Regular servicing can pick up any irregularities and ensure there are no safety risks that could develop into a problem — such as worn brakes, shock absorbers or tires, oil and coolant leaks or worn wheel bearings.

Ensuring safety

Every time we get into the car, we buckle up, but that isn’t enough. Regular maintenance is also important for our safety. During a regular service, a mechanic can fix minor issues such as putting oil into your car or changing your brake pads, both of which can cause safety issues and maybe even accidents if unaddressed. 

Poorly maintained vehicles significantly increase the risk of serious accidents, and while there are a number of things that you can do yourself to keep your car in good condition, these should be seen as a supplement to a professional service and not a substitute. 

Regular servicing by an experienced and qualified mechanic will ensure that you have done everything within your power to ensure the safety of your family and fellow motorists.

Extending your car’s life

Regularly servicing your car will also help it to last longer. Most drivers want to own their cars for more than a few years, so ensuring it is in top condition will help. Simple things such as topping up fluids will help to keep your car at its best. 

Keeping the fluids new and clean is priority number one when it comes to making sure your car hangs around for a while. Frequent oil changes are important as well because a harder working engine is one with a shorter life span.

Krishna King is the after sales parts manager at Bermuda Motors Limited. For more information on automobile maintenance, contact Mr King at Bermuda Motors: 292-0893 or [email protected]. Website: www.bermudamotors.bm