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Car Service Tavistock

Welcome to our Tavistock Car Service centre located on 2 Parkwood Road, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0HQ.

Keeping your vehicle well maintained is about more than ticking a box each year, it’s about ensuring everything continues to work as it should over time. Even small changes in performance can point to developing wear that’s easy to miss.

At Elite Garages Tavistock, servicing is designed to keep your vehicle running efficiently while identifying potential issues early, before they turn into more costly repairs.

What Regular Servicing Really Prevents

Servicing isn’t just routine maintenance, it’s a way of staying ahead of problems. Many faults develop gradually, often without clear warning signs at first.

Regular servicing helps reduce the risk of:

  • unexpected breakdowns
  • reduced engine performance
  • increased fuel consumption
  • wear spreading to other components

Addressing issues early is usually far simpler than dealing with them later.

What Happens During a Routine Car Service?

A service involves checking key systems and carrying out essential maintenance to keep everything operating correctly. It’s designed to maintain performance while identifying early signs of wear.

Typical servicing includes:

  • engine oil and filter replacement
  • air and cabin filter checks or replacement
  • inspection of brakes, tyres and suspension
  • fluid level checks and top-ups
  • general safety and condition checks

Any issues identified are explained clearly before any further work is carried out.

Car Servicing for All Makes and Models at Elite Garages Tavistock

Regular servicing helps keep your vehicle running smoothly while identifying early signs of wear before they develop into more costly issues.

Maintaining the engine and key components supports performance, improves efficiency and helps ensure systems such as brakes, suspension and steering continue to operate safely.

At Elite Garages Tavistock, we service vehicles from all major manufacturers, including petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric models.

Audi Jaguar Mazda
Mercedes Jeep Mitsubishi
Bentley Honda Mini
BMW Kia Nissan
Citroen Land Rover Peugeot
Ford Lexus Renault
Fiat Skoda Volvo
Seat Toyota Volkwagen
Suzuki Vauxhall

Why Skipping a Service Costs More Than You Think

Delaying a service doesn’t usually cause immediate problems, which is why it’s easy to put off. However, small issues like degraded oil, worn filters or low fluid levels can gradually affect how the engine and other components perform.

Over time, this can lead to:

  • reduced fuel efficiency
  • increased engine wear
  • added strain on components such as the cooling system or turbo
  • more expensive repairs that could have been avoided

Servicing isn’t just about maintenance, it’s about preventing these gradual issues from building up unnoticed.

When Should You Service Your Car?

Servicing intervals vary depending on the vehicle and how it’s used. Some vehicles follow fixed schedules, while others rely on onboard systems to indicate when maintenance is due.

As a general guide:

  • every 12 months or 12,000 miles
  • more frequently for higher mileage vehicles
  • based on dashboard alerts in newer vehicles

If you’re unsure, checking your vehicle handbook is always a good starting point.

Car Service Options at Elite Garages Tavistock

Different vehicles require different levels of servicing depending on their age, mileage and usage. To reflect this, a range of service options is available to help keep your vehicle properly maintained.

  • Bronze Service (Interim) – Suitable for vehicles needing an additional check between annual services
  • Silver Service (Full Service) – A more comprehensive service typically carried out once a year
  • Gold Service (Major Service) – A detailed service covering additional components based on mileage and manufacturer recommendations.
DESCRIPTION Bronze – Lubricant service + health check Silver – 12,000 miles / 12 months Gold – 24,000 miles / 24 months
LIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1:  Check operation of exterior lights ✔ ✔ ✔
2:  Check headlight alignment ✔
3:  Check rear reflectors ✔ ✔
4:  Check operation of instrument warning lamps ✔ ✔ ✔
5:  Check illumination of dash and heater control lamps ✔ ✔
6:  Check battery condition and connections ✔ ✔ ✔
7:  Check horn ✔ ✔ ✔
INTERNAL / VISION
8:  Test / advise alternator output and security ✔
9:  Check door / bonnet lock operation and lubricate locks, hinges and catches ✔ ✔
10:  Check windscreen wiper and washer condition and operation ✔ ✔ ✔
11:  Top up windscreen washer reservoir with additive if required ✔ ✔ ✔
12:  Check / advise pollen filter condition, replace if necessary* ✔ ✔
13:  Check air conditioning system / temperature if applicable ✔ ✔
ENGINE
14:  Drain engine oil and refill* ✔ ✔ ✔
15:  Replace oil filter ✔ ✔ ✔
16:  Replace air filter ✔ ✔
17:  Replace fuel filter (if fitted and external from fuel tank) ✔
18:  Check / advise general oil leaks ✔ ✔ ✔
19:  Check / advise coolant level and antifreeze strength ✔ ✔ ✔
20:  Top up antifreeze if required ✔ ✔
21:  Check coolant hoses for leaks and condition, incl. header tank ✔ ✔ ✔
22:  Check condition and tension of auxiliary drive belts (excl. timing belt) ✔ ✔
23:  Spark plugs changed according to mileage* ✔
24:  Check / clean HT leads and components (if fitted) ✔ ✔
25:  Visual check of fuel system (incl. tank and cap) ✔ ✔
26:  Check timing belt replacement interval & report if due according to mileage / age ✔ ✔ ✔
BRAKES
27: Check brake servo operation ✔ ✔ ✔
28: Check / advise brake fluid level and boiling point ✔ ✔ ✔
29: Top up brake fluid if required ✔ ✔ ✔
30: Visual check of brake pads for wear or damage ✔ ✔ ✔
31: Visual check of brake calipers for leaks and security ✔ ✔ ✔
32: Visual check of brake discs, shoes and cylinders for wear or damage ✔ ✔ ✔
33: Visual check of brake pipes and hoses ✔ ✔ ✔
34: Check operation of handbrake ✔ ✔ ✔
35: Check security of handbrake linkages and travel and adjust if required ✔ ✔
STEERING / SUSPENSION
36: Check condition of road springs ✔ ✔ ✔
37:  Check power steering fluid reservoir ✔ ✔ ✔
38:  Check steering / suspension components for wear and corrosion ✔ ✔ ✔
39:  Check steering rack gaiters condition ✔ ✔
40:  Check shock absorber condition and mounting, report any leaks ✔ ✔
41:  Check wheel bearings for excessive play or noise ✔ ✔
DRIVE SYSTEM
42:  Check drive shaft gaiters for security and report any leaks ✔ ✔
43:  Check gear box fluid level manual / automatic differential (if applicable) ✔ ✔
44:  Check / adjust clutch operation ✔ ✔ ✔
45:  Check for transmission oil leaks ✔ ✔ ✔
46:  Check condition of clutch cable (where visible) ✔ ✔ ✔
47: Full car fault code read ✔
EXHAUST
48: Check / advise condition of exhaust and mountings ✔ ✔ ✔
49: Check / report on additive levels for Diesel vehicles (where applicable) ✔ ✔
TYRES / WHEELS
50: Check tyre condition and tread depth (incl. spare) ✔ ✔ ✔
51: Check / adjust tyre pressures (incl. spare) ✔ ✔ ✔
52: Remove all road wheels and check flanges and mountings ✔
53: Check wheel nut torque to manufacturer’s specification ✔ ✔ ✔
54: Expiry date for the puncture repair cannister (where applicable) ✔ ✔ ✔
FINAL RE-SET / SERVICE BOOK
55: Carry out engine management system scan ✔ ✔
56: Reset vehicle service light where applicable ✔ ✔ ✔
57: Reset Oil quality counter (Diesel vehicles) ✔ ✔ ✔
58: Stamp service book ✔ ✔ ✔

* Additional charges will apply should the vehicle require a pollen filter, special or synthetic oils, platinum or multi-electrode spark plugs.

*Note – Additional service operations may be required for your vehicle make/model and will be an added charge
*Note – Stamp service book as per Elite Service Manual
*Note – WHAT IS A CAMBELT AND WHY DOES IT NEED REPLACING?

Things to Do in Tavistock While Waiting for Your Car Service

  • Tavistock Pannier Market: A historic indoor market with a variety of stalls, ideal for a short browse while you wait.
  • The Cornish Arms Tavistock: A well-known gastropub offering high-quality food in a relaxed setting.
  • Tavistock Canal Walk: A scenic and easy walking route starting near the town centre, ideal for a relaxed break while your vehicle is being serviced.