Car Servicing: Everything You Need to Know in Our Guide

You should have your car serviced at regular intervals. These can be fixed intervals, but the mileage can also be decisive. When the next inspection is due, the service indicator lights up in newer vehicles. You should then make an appointment at the garage soon. The regular service is far more than just cosmetic: it allows wear and tear on important vehicle parts to be detected and repaired in good time before a breakdown or even an accident occurs. A well-maintained service booklet is also an asset that should not be underestimated in terms of value retention. Well-maintained used cars sell better and for more money.

But is the service really necessary if your car isn't that old? Yes, because the first motor vehicle inspection for new cars is only due after 5 years, the next 3 years later. A lot of time in which unnoticed defects in vehicle parts can develop into serious damage and operating fluids or wearing parts have to be replaced. You almost always receive a warranty from the manufacturer on the vehicle and its components. Whether it lasts 2, 3 or even 7 years: If a warranty claim occurs, you will often only get a replacement if you have meticulously adhered to the service intervals. The tolerance for exceeding the deadlines is low to zero.

The Service for Your Car + Practical Alternatives

Even if you have little leeway when it comes to deadlines, it's up to you who you have the inspection carried out by. We at CARIFY show you the advantages and disadvantages of the various garages.

Official vs. independent garages

Manufacturers naturally recommend the official authorized garages of their car brand. And that makes perfect sense.

Advantages:

• The specialized professionals know the weak points of the models exactly. No more time-consuming troubleshooting.

• Suitable spare parts are usually in stock and do not have to be ordered.

• When reselling the vehicle, inspections in authorized workshops have a positive effect on sales and value.

Disadvantages:

• The service is expensive.

• Spare parts come from the car manufacturer and are more expensive than identical parts from other suppliers or used parts in good condition.

Independent garages are not tied to specific brands but inspect every vehicle model.

Independent garage Advantages:

• The service is inexpensive.

• The garages also use components that do not come from the car manufacturer and cost less for the same quality. Used parts also reduce the price of the repair.

Disadvantages:

• All-rounders are often not as familiar with rare vehicle models.

• Spare parts usually have to be ordered, which means that repairs take longer.

• Independent workshops do not have as good a reputation (without good reason) as official ones, which has a negative impact on resale.

Self-maintenance: worth considering?

Since it is not specified who carries out the inspection, you can do it yourself - right? In fact, with a little skill and know-how, you can check many things on the vehicle yourself. This is especially true for older cars, where not so much is controlled via the on-board electronics. You can check and, if necessary, change some operating fluids without professional help. Make sure you only replace the coolant when the engine is cold. You can also easily check the pressure and tread depth of your tires yourself. However, it is better to leave the replacement or repair of engine components to a professional.

Advantages:

• It only costs you time, but no money, to do some of the maintenance yourself.

• You gain important knowledge about your vehicle, which can benefit you in the event of a breakdown.

• You decide whether to buy branded spare parts or cheaper alternatives from other manufacturers.

Disadvantages:

• Without a workshop visit, the maintenance is not documented in the service booklet.

• The warranty is very difficult to enforce in the case of self-maintenance.

• Many maintenance jobs require expensive special tools.

• Repairs should be carried out in the garage. Safety first.

If you carry out some maintenance work yourself, you can save some money. However, garages are the better address for a thorough inspection and any repairs. They can use a computer to read out the fault memory.

What should the maintenance interval be: fixed or flexible?

While some vehicle components age regardless of mileage and therefore need to be checked regularly, for others the number of kilometers driven is relevant. Sometimes the operating or environmental conditions, such as seasonal tires and operating fluids, are also decisive. In any case, the manufacturer's specifications are decisive for the warranty. There are differences here depending on the brand. Many still rely on fixed intervals, while BMW and other manufacturers rely on flexible intervals.

You will usually find the intervals specified in the service booklet. Sometimes it says: “once a year or every 15,000 km”. In this case, the inspection must be carried out as soon as you have reached the mileage, but at the latest after one year. Modern cars show you when another service is due, as they can calculate the requirement themselves from the components of time, type of use (short/long distance) and mileage. Some vehicles transmit their service requirements to the manufacturer by mobile phone, who forwards them to the nearest service partner. They will then send you suggested dates by e-mail.

Vehicle inspection: Workshop visits per km Table

For many vehicle components, the degree of wear depends wholly or partly on the mileage. For frequent drivers, it is not enough to have the car inspected once a year.

Car service - this should be done:

Manufacturers and garages differentiate between minor and major inspections.

This is what is done during the minor inspection:

• Oil change and check of

• brakes

• windshield wiper system

• Air filter

Every 1 to 2 years or every 15,000 to 40,000 km, the car must undergo a major inspection. In addition to the points mentioned above, this includes a check of

• Engine

• steering

• gearbox

• Exhaust system

• axles

• Wheels/Tires

• Bodywork

• Electrics, indicator lights

• Lighting system

• Seat belts/airbags

The fill level of the operating fluids is also checked and topped up/replaced if necessary:

• Engine oil

• Brake fluid

• Hydraulic fluid

• Transmission fluid for automatic transmissions

• Coolant

• Coolant for the air conditioning system

• Windshield wiper fluid

How much does a car service cost in Switzerland?

The cost of service varies depending on the make, model, and garage. The scope of the work is also reflected in the price. Authorized garages are usually more expensive than independent ones. It's best to get an estimate in advance.

• An oil change often costs between CHF 100 and 200.

• On average, you should expect to pay CHF 470 for a major inspection. The costs for repairs are on top of this.

Don't fancy the service? - These are the advantages of a car subscription

Admittedly, the service intervals all sound pretty complicated and time-consuming. And maintenance isn't exactly cheap either. Want to save yourself all that? No problem: with CARIFY's car subscriptions, you're on the safe side. Our cars are not only excellently maintained and come to you in perfect technical condition. With us, all costs relating to your car are already included in your monthly rate, even seasonal tire changes, inspections and repairs.

Simply let our customer service team know your current mileage or send us a photo of the warning message from the on-board electronics. We will arrange an inspection appointment for you. It will take place in the owner's garage if you have less than 30 minutes to drive there.

Do you live further away? No problem: either a driver will collect the car from you and take it to the garage and then back again, or we will find you a nearby garage. This also applies to changing from summer to winter tires (and vice versa) or replacing worn tires. We take care of everything.

Conclusion

Regular maintenance significantly extends the life of your car and also ensures the best possible safety. Not all wearing parts need to be replaced at every check. However, important vehicle components such as the brakes or lights must function perfectly, which is what makes the inspection so important. At CARIFY, we want you to drive safely at all times. The costs for all services are therefore already included in your rate.

FAQs

How often do fluids such as oil need to be changed in a car?

Some engine oils have additives to ensure optimum viscosity at warm or cold ambient temperatures. They must be replaced at the change of season. We recommend changing all-season oils for gasoline engines every 15,000 km and a little later for diesel vehicles.

What happens to the wearing parts during the inspection?

Worn or worn vehicle parts are replaced during the inspection. Some operating fluids also need to be changed regularly.

How often do I need to have my car serviced?

The manufacturer's service intervals are noted in the service booklet. There are fixed (time) and flexible (mileage) intervals. Sometimes both are combined. In this case, the inspection is due either after one year or earlier if the mileage has been reached.

Does the car service have to be carried out at an authorized garage?

It is not specified who has to carry out the service. You can opt for an authorized garage or an independent garage and even carry out individual maintenance work yourself. In addition to the cost issue, the documentation in the service booklet also plays a role. Authorized garages have the best reputation.