The Annual Checklist Every Driver Has To Follow

As a car owner, you already know that there’s plenty of work and responsibility that comes with your car. However, it’s easy to sometimes fall behind and not pay attention to every need that you should. Here, we’re going to make sure that you catch up at least once a year, keeping your car in good condition and making sure you’re not letting anything fall behind.

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A full car service

One of the most important considerations you need to make as a car owner is that your car is safe, effective, and able to keep going for as long as possible. While a lot of drivers won’t take their car to the garage unless there’s something truly wrong with it, this isn’t the best way to make sure that it’s in the best condition. A full car service will take a closer look at the workings of the vehicle, making sure that there are no lingering issues. Finding and fixing a small issue now could prevent a much larger issue from rearing its ugly head further down the line.

Change your spark plugs

It’s recommended that all drivers change their spark plugs roughly every year. Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture that keeps the vehicle more and the less effective they are, the more friction they can cause and the less efficiently they help the engine burn fuel. In reality, you want to change them roughly every 60k miles to 150k miles. Your car’s manufacturer might have different criteria on when, exactly, you should change them, but you should make sure to think about it roughly every year. You should also be changing your oil every three or so months, so it might be time to do that, too.

Prepare for your MOT

Every year, you will have to find your local registered MOT for an inspection to make sure that it is roadworthy. You want to ensure that you’re as well prepared for it as possible, as it can be costly to test again and again. Before MOT testing, you have to check that are exterior and interior features, as well as the mechanics, of the car are working. This is another good reason to invest in a full car service, as well. Driving without your MOT can result in a fine, so try to get it scheduled in advance.

Look at your costs

It’s always worth looking at the costs of your car year after year to make sure that you’re getting the kind of deal that you should be. Aside from the costs of any loans, you might be paying, look at how much you’re paying in fuel and ask if there are any ways you can be more efficient with your fuel usage. You should also take the time to look at your insurance, especially if it is due for renewal any time soon, and ask yourself if it’s time to change.

Keep your responsibilities in mind and, if necessary, set yourself a reminder for when you need to start getting your car ready for a service and an MOT.