Regular servicing of your vehicle is essential for safety, but it can also promote better efficiency.
While an annual MOT is the main type of servicing most people are familiar with, there is also such a thing as an interim service.
An interim service typically happens every 6 months or 6,000 miles (whichever comes first).
To explain more about what an interim service is, along with its benefits, the Filter Services UK team is here to give you the lowdown.
What Is The Purpose Of An Interim Car Or Van Service?
An interim service helps ensure that a vehicle is performing at its best. It’s particularly ideal for high-mileage drivers, as this type of service focuses on aspects of the vehicle which are subject to excessive use.
Compared with other types of vehicle servicing, an interim service is not as costly or time-consuming. However, it offers an ideal opportunity to test the main systems of the vehicle and perform any preventive maintenance where needed. Taking such measures is one of the best ways to avoid more costly repairs, especially if the fix is made before the issue has developed into a serious problem.
While interim services are not legally required, they can provide peace of mind. That’s because the nature of the service not only helps maintain the performance of the vehicle, but also helps promote safety and can even increase the resale value.
What’s Included During An Interim Service?
- Battery test
- Brake test (pads, discs and fluid)
- Exhaust and emissions check
- Lights, windscreen wipers and horn test
- Oil and oil filter change
- Safety feature checks (seatbelts and seat mounts)
- Steering and suspension checks
- Top-up of essential fluids (brake, screen wash, coolant and power steering)
- Tyre inspection (tread depth, condition and pressures)
During an interim inspection, the vehicle will also be driven as part of a general road test. This provides an opportunity to detect any unusual sounds or movements which require further inspection.
Vehicle Filters & Interim Inspections
Interim inspections are not as detailed as a full MOT. As such, it’s usually only the oil filter which gets changed during an interim inspection along with the engine oil. This is important as if the filter is dirty, any fresh oil would soon become contaminated.
However, air, cabin and fuel filters are sometimes inspected during an interim inspection. If the applicable filter appears dirty or blocked, it may be replaced during the inspection.
Here is a brief overview of each filter type, including scenarios which would require a replacement during an interim inspection:
Oil filter – The purpose of an oil filter is to remove dirt, metal particles and sludge from the engine oil. If the oil filter is clogged, it will let contaminants circulate, leading to faster engine wear and potentially expensive damage. As we’ve just touched upon, oil filters are usually replaced during an interim service since the oil will also be replaced at the same time.
Air filter – Air filters prevent dust, pollen and other debris from entering the engine’s air intake. Usually, an air filter is only replaced during a full service. However, replacement during the interim service is necessary if the filter is blocked, which can impact fuel efficiency, power and emissions.
Cabin filter – Cabin filters are responsible for filtering the air which enters the car’s cabin and work by trapping dust, pollen and other pollutants. Cabin filters aren’t always checked during an interim inspection. A replacement during an interim inspection would be considered if frequent unpleasant smells have been noted in the car or if the heating or air conditioning efficiency has dropped.
Fuel filter – Again, fuel filters are not routinely checked as part of an interim service. However, an interim service is a good time to address the side effects of a dirty fuel filter, which can lead to poor performance, misfires or difficulty starting the vehicle. When a fuel filter is working optimally, its purpose is to stop dirt, rust and water from entering the fuel system.
Buy Vehicle Filters For An Interim Car Service
Do you require vehicle filters for an interim inspection? At Filter Services, we stock over 5,000 automotive components, including air, cabin and fuel filters.
Purchasing the filter you need to carry out a replacement couldn’t be easier. Simply head over to our filters page to view our available stock.
Filter Services is based in Chesterfield with additional locations in Leeds and Leicester.
If you need any assistance, please send us a message or give us a call on 01246 802 822.