What is a Service Plan?
Learn all about service plans and why they're important for maintaining your vehicle's health and longevity. Discover more expert advice and tips with Sandicliffe.
March 21, 2023
The benefits of having a service plan with Sandicliffe
Having vehicles serviced is essential for various reasons. Apart from ensuring the coverage of the manufacturer's warranty, it helps improve the reliability, safety, and fuel economy of your vehicle. Moreover, a documented service history can boost the resale value of your car in the future as it shows the vehicle has been well maintained and cared for.
But paying for your service isn’t always easy, and with the cost of living crisis tightening all our purse strings a service plan can be a cost-effective way to ensure your vital vehicle servicing doesn’t take a backseat.
What is a Service Plan?
A car service plan is an agreement between a vehicle owner and a service provider, usually a car dealership or independent garage, to cover the cost of scheduled maintenance and repairs for a specified period. Essentially, it's a pre-paid plan that allows the owner to budget for the maintenance and repair costs of their vehicle, without having to fork out a larger sum for the servicing all at once.
A service plan will typically cover routine maintenance, such as oil changes, filter replacements, and brake inspections.
Service plans can vary in duration, ranging from a few months to a year, and may also vary in terms of the level of coverage provided. Some plans may only cover basic maintenance, while others may include more extensive repairs or even roadside assistance.
Why Servicing is an important part of car ownership
Over a vehicle's lifespan, many things can go wrong, including:
· General wear-and-tear: consumable parts such as brakes and tyres degrade naturally over time. By taking your vehicle for regular servicing, we can identify early signs of wear and tear before they become a hazard.
· Safety concerns: some problems that emerge in your vehicle may not affect its general running but can pose safety risks. Regular servicing can help to identify emerging issues and minimise such problems.
· Engine issues: neglecting to change your oil and filters regularly can cause fatal problems for any vehicle. Regular servicing is essential to ensure that your engine is fully lubricated and running smoothly, preventing it from seizing up.
Service Plans for EVs
If you have made the switch to an EV you will still need to carry out regular maintenance. When it comes to servicing an electric vehicle, the key areas that are typically checked include the electric motor(s), battery pack, high-voltage electric cabling, suspension, brakes, steering, wheels, tyres, and lights. While there may be additional points to consider, these are the primary areas that undergo a similar assessment process to that of a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle.
Since electric motors are designed with only a few connections that experience most of the wear and tear, they require minimal servicing. Other critical electrical components that are commonly examined during an electric car service are battery packs and high-voltage cabling.
During an electric car service, our team can conduct a battery health check without dismantling the battery. Instead, we plug into the car's computer and analyse the data to determine its condition.
Just as with a petrol or diesel car, annual servicing of an EV ensures a manufacturer’s warranty and prolongs the lifespan of an EV.
Service Plans from Sandicliffe
At Sandicliffe, we understand the importance of vehicle servicing and are committed to providing you with the best service possible. Our EMaC service plans enable you to spread the cost of your vehicle's servicing while customising the plan to suit your vehicle's specific needs. You have the flexibility to choose the duration of the plan, whether you prefer to pay for your servicing over 12 months or otherwise.
You’ll pay an affordable monthly direct debit, that’s inflation proof. The price you pay at the beginning of your service plan is the price you’ll pay for the duration of your service plan. So when it comes time for your service, it’s already paid for!
We understand that circumstances can change, so your service plan is transferable as well as cancellable at any point, so there’s nothing for you to worry about if your situation changes.
To start your Sandicliffe service plan, simply talk to one of our advisors who will get you on the road to worry-free servicing!
