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01582 494 267

info@gbautotech.co.uk


Unit 8, Flowers Industrial Estate, Latimer Road, Luton Luton LU1 3XA United Kingdom

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MOT & Servicing in Luton

Our MOT & Servicing will keep your car or van legal and on the road. No hidden fees or costs, just a price based on your vehicle.

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Why do I need MOT & Servicing?

While they may seem similar, an MOT and a Service cover a very different set of checks and are required for quite different reasons. To understand why you need them, it’s important to know what the difference is between an MOT and a vehicle service.


The MOT test is required by UK law for all cars 3 years old or more and must be completed annually. The MOT is a vehicle safety check which follows strict guidelines set out by the DVSA and can only be carried out by accredited MOT testers. An MOT is an inspection only and does not involve replacing any parts.


A vehicle service is basically a car health check as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. The main purpose of a service is to keep your car running in the best possible condition, making it safer to drive, reducing the risk of breakdowns and prolonging the life of the vehicle. By keeping it running as efficiently as possible you will also save money on fuel and help to maintain the value of the car when it comes time to sell.

What is checked during an MOT and Service?

An MOT follows strict Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) criteria and includes the inspections of several key areas of the car such as tyres, lights, brakes, seat belts and emissions.


Service, depending on the make and model of your car/van manufacturers recommend between 2 & 3 services a year. But there are factors we take into consideration such as how many miles you have driven… the mileage indicates whether a small or interim service is needed or full annual service.


If any issues are found in our interim service or full service, these will be flagged to you and your options discussed. It’s worth noting that we are generally about 50% cheaper than the main dealer and we use main dealer parts.

Interim Service

Interim service is recommended after every 6,000 miles driven or 6 months. An interim service generally checks levels of the fluids, including brake fluid, screenwash and anti-freeze coolant. In addition to this, it will also check the condition of the engine, such as the plugs and filter, as well as testing the batteries, lights and tyres. Here is a more detailed breakdown of exactly what is checked in an interim service:


  • Interior Checks – warning lights, interior and exterior lights, seatbelts, hand brake, mirrors, windscreen, aircon, steering column
  • Exterior Checks – bodywork, mirrors, lights, wheels, tyres, brakes, fuel cap, wipers, washers, emissions
  • Under Bonnet Checks – battery, auxiliary drive belt, fuel pipes, brake pipes, radiator & coolant hoses, brake fluid, coolant, screenwash, bonnet catch, engine oil
  • Under Vehicle Checks – engine oil filters, fuel pipes, brake pipes & hoses, radiator & cooling hoses, engine, transmission, rear axle, driveshaft, steering, suspension, shock absorbers, exhaust, brakes, tyres, corrosion


FULL Service

Full service is recommended after every 12,000 miles driven or 12 months. Our full service includes an extended list of under-the-bonnet checks, a fully comprehensive brake check, oil change and replacement air filters. A full service covers all interim service items, plus the following checks (as appropriate to main dealer specification):


  • Interior Checks – warning lights, interior and exterior lights, seatbelts, hand brake, mirrors, windscreen, aircon, steering column + door hinges, latches & locks
  • Exterior Checks – bodywork, mirrors, lights, wheels, tyres, brakes, fuel cap, wipers, washers, emissions
  • Under Bonnet Checks – battery, auxiliary drive belt, fuel pipes, brake pipes, radiator & coolant hoses, brake fluid, coolant, screenwash, bonnet catch, engine oil + spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, power steering fluid & diagnostic trouble codes
  • Under Vehicle Checks – engine oil filters, fuel pipes, brake pipes & hoses, radiator & cooling hoses, engine, transmission, rear axle, driveshaft, steering, suspension, shock absorbers, exhaust, brakes, tyres, corrosion + wheel bearings.


Great Service as Usual! I have used Liam and Gary many times over the last few years when trust broke down with other Garages. They have recently installed some state of the art tech in my new car and always thrive to ensure they are ahead of the game in terms of innovations – Great Work guys!

Ian Luckett

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  • Are any issues identified with a service covered in the cost?

    Should any problems with your vehicle be identified during a service, that require additional parts/work to fix, you will be informed and no repair work will be carried out without your prior consent... and (unlike the experience a few of our customers have had with some local main dealers), we won't identify problems that are minor or not necessary just to increase the bill!!! Bad German manufacturer with small car division...very bad!

  • Will my warranty be affected if I don't go to a main dealer?

    Manufacturers would like you to believe this but it is simply not true (as outlined by the Block Exemption Regulation).  As long as a garage uses approved parts and adheres to the log books service schedule, there is no reason not to use an independent garage. We can generally offer approved parts for up-to 50% less than a main dealer... and our technician rates are certainly a lot cheaper!!

  • What is included in a service?

    Whether you require a full or interim service will determine what work is carried out on your vehicle. Both include a number of checks, identifying any potential faults, as well as replacement or top ups of the various oils and fluids your car/van needs to function properly.

  • How often should I service my car?

    There is no set (or legal) answer to this question, but guidelines suggest that a full service be carried out on your vehicle at the mileage recommended by the manufacturer, or once every year. Interim services are available should your car not do the mileage to necessitate a full service (as per manufacturer guidelines). Essential elements, such as oil and filters, will need replacing as soon as they become worn or damaged, regardless of whether a service is due or not.

  • Why does my vehicle need a service?

    Vehicle servicing is vital for the upkeep of your car, van or motorcycle, keeping it operating safely and efficiently at all times. From your brakes to your tyres, servicing checks the most vital components of your vehicle, ensuring that everything is running as it should and that it isn’t suffering from excessive wear and tear. But it’s not just for safety reasons that servicing is important: there is also the potential to save money. If your vehicle is not running at optimum capacity, it has to work harder to keep moving. For example, low tyre pressure means that more rubber is in contact with the road surface, forcing the engine to work harder. Similarly, older engine oil tends to cause greater friction within the engine, preventing it from running smoothly and again causing it to overcompensate.

MOT & Servicing FAQ’s

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