Every car needs a yearly service to check that it’s running okay, topping up things like the oil, replacing wipers and brake pads as well as spotting any potential problems. In many cases, this is done once a year when you have your MOT.
If your classic car is over 40 years, you are now exempt from needing an MOT if there have been no major changes (for example, to the engine or chassis) in the last 30 years. You do need to by law, however, ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy.
For classic car owners, the age of the vehicle often means that there are more niggles and minor stuff that can go wrong. Car manufacturers recommend that a normal car should be serviced every 12,000 miles. For a classic, you may want to consider having a service every 3,000 miles.
There are generally two types of classic car owner. They either love classics and it’s a hobby that they just want to indulge in or they have bought their car because they want to sell it for a profit later.
At White’s bodyworks in West Sussex, we see both kinds of owners but the benefits of more regular servicing are the same:
1. Protect Your Investment
Whatever your reason for owning a classic car, that last thing you want is for it to depreciate. Having a more regular service than with a normal car ensures that your vehicle remains in tip-top condition, should you wish to sell it at a later date.
Fixing a classic car if something goes wrong often works out more expensive than with a newish one. It’s not just about sourcing the right parts but getting hold of a garage that has the right expertise. Leaving major problems and doing nothing about them can lead eventually to a big price tag.
The good thing about a regular service is that it will help spot issues before they become too expensive so you have the option to do something about them quickly.
Check out the most common problems that classic cars suffer from.
Some classics can be unreliable for a variety of reasons. Others need to be fine-tuned. Regular servicing means that your car operates to its optimum, giving you a smoother and more enjoyable ride.
Getting a service through a classic car expert garage like White’s Bodyworks means you have complete peace of mind that the team you have chosen people who know what they are doing. Classic car owners are quite rightly precious about their vehicles. The rarer your car is, the more important it is.
Finally, your car must be roadworthy. Servicing more often means that you can be confident that you’re not likely to cause a hazard on the road or get fined when are stopped by the police because something is seriously wrong.
When we talk about having a regular service for your classic car every 3,000 miles, owners need to take into account the different types of service available. Essentially, there are basic, full and major service levels.
In a basic service, the mechanic will do an oil and filter change, undertake a visual inspection and check 35 key components such as brakes and wipers. In the full service, there are a few more key components checked. A major service will really get under the bonnet and examine your car from top to bottom, including components like spark plugs and brake fluid.
You may, for example, want a full service once a year, a basic service in between and perhaps leave a major service if you think there is an issue with your vehicle.
When you are organising a garage to handle the servicing of your classic car, it can be challenging to find the right team. Most garages don’t have deep expertise in this area. They may understand car parts and older vehicles, but won’t have a whole lot of experience.
At White’s Bodyworks in West Sussex, we have a talented team and nearly 30 years’ classic car success behind us. We’ve handled a large range of vintage vehicles over the years, from Austin Healeys and Sunbeam Alpines to Morris Minors and even the odd Bentley.
We’ve grown our reputation over the years and have classic car owners from all around the UK coming to us for advice and high-quality repairs, restorations and servicing and MOTs.
Check out our portfolio of classic cars here.
Our fully equipped garage in West Sussex is perfect for classic car owners, whatever they need. We carry out regular servicing for a range of vintage vehicles and are always on hand to give sound and sensible advice based on our experience.
If you would like to find out more, visit our main website today.
