If you're on a tight budget, you may be thinking about skipping your annual car service. However, you might be surprised to learn that paying to have your vehicle serviced could actually save you a substantial amount of money in the long run. Read on to learn more.

A car service will ensure that small defects are identified and dealt with before they turn into major problems

A typical car service will include a thorough inspection of the car; the mechanic will check for (and if necessary, replace or repair) damaged or worn components. This inspection process could end up saving you a lot of money in the future, by addressing small defects before they become major problems that will cost you a small fortune to repair.

For example, let's say that your vehicle's suspension shock absorbers have worn out. If your mechanic spots this issue during the car servicing process, they can replace these items and thus prevent them from causing serious issues later down the line.

Conversely, if, in a bid to save money, you decide to forego your annual car service and your vehicle's suspension problems, therefore, go unnoticed and unrepaired, you will most likely find yourself experiencing a whole host of difficulties in a few months' time.

Worn-out shock absorbers can, for example, affect your braking distances (and thus put you at risk of getting involved in a road accident which could destroy your car) and can drastically increase the speed with which your car tyres wear out. 

A car service can make your vehicle more fuel efficient

A full car service can increase your vehicle's fuel efficiency which will, of course, significantly reduce the amount of money you end up spending on fuel in the future.

For instance, damaged or dirty spark plugs can have a negative impact on the combustion process, resulting in misfires which will increase the quantity of fuel the vehicle then uses.

During a routine servicing, the mechanic will examine the condition of the vehicle's spark plugs. If they notice that they are covered in oil and other contaminants, or that they are damaged beyond repair, they will then either thoroughly clean them, or replace them. This, in turn, will improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Likewise, a car service also usually includes an adjustment of the vehicle's tyre pressure levels. This too will improve your car's fuel economy, as both under and over-inflation can lead to vehicles' guzzling excess amounts of petrol or diesel.