Booking your car’s MOT and routine service at the same time could save you almost £50 next time you visit the garage
Around 85 per cent of the checks covered in a routine service are also included in the MOT
DRIVERS are forking out far more than they have to by making a simple error when booking their MOT.
By booking your car's MOT and routine service separately, you could be doubling up on checks that are covered in both jobs.
According to MotorEasy, around 85 per cent of the checks conducted during a routine service are covered in the MOT.
Yet a recent study by the motoring association found four in five motorists will have their roadworthiness check done at a different time to their standard service.
So by having them both done at the same time, you'll save yourself the hassle of taking your car into the garage again, along with the cost of the repeated checks.
But don't think you can skip your car's regular service just because MOT covers similar checks.
During a regular service, oil and coolant is changed and any essential maintenance is carried out, while the MOT just tests fundamental aspects of the car.
So despite the similarities, your car still needs the vital upkeep included in the basic service.
To make sure you are fully covered, it's a good idea to book both checks in together as a package - and the most cost-effective, too.
The average cost of a small vehicle service is around £150, while an MOT on its own has a maximum set price of £54.85 for cars.
By purchasing both in a package deal, you could save almost £50 next time you take your car into the garage.
MotorEasy offers package deals from £160, compared with £200 with independent dealers and more than £300 with franchised dealers.
Duncan McClure Fisher, MotorEasy founder, said: “We’re seeing the rise of the ‘Do It For Me’ generation.
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“Time-poor consumers want to minimise the amount of time they spend at dealers and garages, without paying over the odds for it.
"One way to do this is to book your service and MOT together, as the garage will conduct all of the checks required to pass an MOT during the service.
"Not only will drivers be spared an extra visit to the garage, but they can also save money.”