New Cars Delayed? Here’s Why Regular Car Servicing Is Crucial

With new car production delays, many UK drivers are waiting months for their vehicles to arrive. In the meantime, motorists are holding onto older cars for longer and that means regular car servicing and maintenance are more crucial than ever.

Whether you drive a brand-new EV, a plug-in hybrid, a petrol hatchback, or a diesel van, staying on top of car servicing is more important than ever. In this article, we’ll break down why, what type of servicing you might need, and how Elite Garages is equipped to help, from Portsmouth and Bournemouth to Shaftesbury, Maidstone and our newest Dorchester branch.

Why Regular Car Servicing Is Essential in 2025

Skipping a service might save you a few pounds in the short term, but in the long run it can cost you more. Here’s why:

  • Improved fuel efficiency (or battery range)
  • Early detection of wear and tear
  • Better performance and smoother driving
  • Safety assurance for you and your passengers
  • Valid warranty and resale value retention

Whether it’s an electric motor or a diesel engine, regular car servicing gives you peace of mind—especially before long trips or seasonal changes.

Learn more about our car services

New Cars Are Delayed. Regular Servicing Keeps Yours Road-Ready

Car Delays and Servicing

With ongoing supply chain issues, new car production has been hit hard. Many UK drivers are now waiting months for their new vehicle to arrive. That means your current car needs to last longer, stay safer, and perform better than ever. This is where regular services play a vital role. By maintaining your current vehicle properly, you reduce the risk of expensive repairs, breakdowns, and MOT failures.

The Car Market Is Changing But Servicing Still Matters

The UK auto industry as a whole is undergoing massive change. Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more common, and hybrid cars are gaining popularity, while new petrol and diesel car sales are slowing down. But one thing all drivers still need is regular car servicing.

You might think EVs need less maintenance than traditional cars. And in some ways, they do with no oil changes and fewer moving parts. But electric car servicing still includes tyre inspections, brake checks, battery diagnostics, fluid top-ups and system updates.

Similarly, hybrid car services involves a combination of petrol and electric components, which means a specialised approach. Meanwhile, many drivers are holding onto older petrol and diesel cars for longer, thanks to high new car prices and limited availability.

That’s why regular maintenance is evolving to meet these new needs, and why it’s no longer just about oil and filters. It’s about keeping your specific type of car running safely and efficiently.

Car Servicing for EVs, Hybrids, Petrol and Diesel

At Elite Garages, we provide tailored servicing for all vehicle types:

  • Electric Car Servicing: Includes brake inspection, tyre safety, coolant levels, battery health checks, software updates and diagnostics.
  • Hybrid Car Services: Combines traditional servicing (engine checks, filters) with EV-specific diagnostics and system testing.
  • Petrol Car Services: Checks include spark plugs, engine oil, air filters, brake fluid, and full safety inspections.
  • Diesel Car Servicing: Focuses on DPF (diesel particulate filter) health, injector performance, oil changes, and emission checks.

Each service is carried out by experienced technicians using manufacturer-approved parts. And we always give you honest advice—so you only pay for what’s needed.

Introducing Our Dorchester Branch: Car Servicing for All

We’re proud to welcome Elite Garages Dorchester to our growing family of trusted service centres. Located on Grove Trading Estate, the new branch fully equipped for EVs, hybrids and more:

  • Car servicing for electric, hybrid, petrol, and diesel vehicles
  • Tyre fitting and wheel alignment
  • MOTs, diagnostics, brakes, and more
  • Friendly, qualified technicians and same-day bookings when available

Read more about the Dorchester opening here. To book a service or ask about EV/hybrid support at Dorchester, call 01305 608919

Choosing the Right Type of Car Service

Not sure what service your car needs? We offer Bronze, Silver, and Gold service packages. Each one is tailored to suit your mileage, driving habits, and car type.

Bronze Service – Basic but essential

Perfect for keeping your car in good shape between major services. The Bronze package includes a lubricant service, oil top-up, essential safety checks, and a visual health inspection. Ideal if you mostly do short trips or recently had a more comprehensive service.

Silver Service – Annual or 12,000-mile check

Recommended for cars due their yearly service or approaching 12,000 miles. This car servicing package includes more detailed checks on components like brakes, filters, and key engine parts—designed to maintain performance, safety, and fuel efficiency for the year ahead.

Gold Service – Complete peace of mind

Our most thorough service, designed for vehicles approaching 24,000 miles or due for their biennial check-up. It covers everything from fluid replacements to full engine diagnostics. If you do long-distance driving or want maximum reliability, the Gold package gives you full confidence your car is road-trip ready.

If you’re planning to hold onto your car for another year or more due to new vehicle delays, a proper servicing plan can save you costly repairs, improve efficiency, and give you peace of mind. Read more about service levels in this comprehensive guide: Best Type of Car Service for Your Vehicle

Don’t Forget Tyres: A Key Part of Every Service

Your tyres play a huge role in road safety, performance, and fuel efficiency. As part of the package, we’ll inspect tread depth, pressure, and overall condition.

Need new tyres? We stock a wide range of budget, mid-range and premium tyres including trusted brands like Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Toyo and iLink among many others. Take a look at our full range of tyre brands.

Elite Garages Dorchester Tyres

Why Choose Elite Garages?

  • 19 locations across the South & South East
  • Trusted by thousands of local drivers
  • Skilled technicians trained in EV & hybrid car services
  • Transparent pricing and honest advice
  • Booking online or by phone is quick and easy

We’re not just here for one-off fixes; we’re your partner in vehicle safety and performance for the long term.

Keep Driving Forward With Regular Car Servicing

No matter what you drive, regular maintenance is more important than ever in today’s motoring landscape. From software updates in EVs to emissions checks in diesel cars, car servicing keeps you safe, legal, and efficient.

And with Elite Garages, you’ll have peace of mind, regardless of where the road takes you.

FAQS

Click the + to read any answer or visit our most FAQ page to review the most frequently asked questions across all our Elite Locations.

If you click on a ‘Category’ or ‘Tag’ link, the page will ‘refresh’ and reload the page showing the top of the page first, you’ll then just need to scroll down to the FAQ section to see the results for the Category or Tag you selected.

Category: car service tips

No, a Gold service does not include an MOT but some garages may offer special discounts when booking both at the same time.

Category: car service tips

A silver car service (full service) typically includes an oil and filter change, a thorough inspection and check of all the main components such as brakes, suspension, tyres and exhaust, as well as a visual inspection of the interior and exterior. Depending on your car’s make, model and mileage, other services may also be recommended to ensure the safety of you and your passengers.

Category: car service tips

We recommend getting your car serviced at least once a year or every 12,000 miles – whichever comes first. However, the intervals may vary depending on the driving conditions, how often and how far you travel. Don’t ignore your car service as it will cost you a lot more in the long term.

Category: car service tips

No, it is not illegal to not service your car. However, regular servicing and maintenance are essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of your vehicle. Neglecting to service your car could lead to major problems down the line that will be far more expensive than if you had serviced it regularly.