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Keeping up with your car’s recommended service schedule is one of the best ways to protect your investment and avoid unexpected problems. But when life gets busy, it’s easy to put off a service — after all, the car still seems to run fine, right? Here’s why delaying a car service can have a much bigger impact than you might expect.
1. It Affects Your Warranty
Most cars come with a manufacturer’s warranty that covers specific repairs and defects for a set period. However, this protection typically relies on you following the recommended service intervals. If you skip or delay a service, you risk voiding your warranty, which could leave you paying for costly repairs that would otherwise have been covered by the manufacturer.
2. It Reduces Your Car’s Resale Value
A full, up-to-date service history is one of the first things potential buyers and dealerships look at when valuing a used car. Missing services raises concerns about how well the car was maintained, which can lower its resale or trade-in value. In some cases, buyers may walk away altogether if the service record is incomplete or poorly maintained.
3. It Compromises Safety and Performance
Regular services are designed to spot and fix issues early, before they turn into bigger and potentially dangerous problems. Worn brake pads, old fluids or neglected tyres can affect your car’s safety, handling and fuel economy. Delaying a service puts you, your passengers and other road users at risk, even if the car feels fine at the moment.
Service intervals are typically based on time or kilometres driven, whichever comes first. Even if you don’t drive much, fluids can break down and parts can wear out over time. Keeping to the schedule ensures your car runs safely and gives you peace of mind on every journey.