As long as we have had cars, we have had car maintenance. All those oily bits moving around – they need some looking after, and given the complexity of said oily bits, we normally need a trained professional to look after them for us.
This of course means taking the car to a garage, which is fine right up until the bill arrives.
That's the bit that almost always catches us out. But we needn't worry, because in recent years it has become increasingly popular to set up a service plan.
A handy kitty that is used for nothing other than paying the mechanics for their parts, their expertise and their labour. Sounds good, right?
What is a car service plan?
In essence, a service plan is a way of putting money to one side so that when the time comes for you to wheel your car into the garage for annual maintenance, the bill is already covered. The idea behind having a service plan is to make sure you go back to the main dealer for work.
Main dealers like this, as it gives them the chance to flog you a new car. It also means their workshop is never left scratching around for something to do.
Sounds straightforward, so why have I never heard of it?
In the grand scheme of things, the notion of a service plan is somewhat new. MINI was the first to start it, back in 2002. Since then, other brands have taken the idea and shaped it to suit their respective needs.
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How much does a car service plan cost?
It varies somewhat wildly. Some brands may do you a service plan that will cover you for three years for a couple of hundred quid. Others may be closer to £500 for three years. It al depends on the car you drive. An Aston Martin is obviously going to cost more to service than a Vauxhall Astra.
How does a car service plan work?
You can either buy the plan outright, or if you're buying your car on finance, you can add it into the monthly payment. In the case of doing the latter, it makes for easily manageable automotive upkeep.
What are the benefits of a service plan?
Most plans, even if you opt to pay for them monthly, will charge you prices on the day of setting up the deal. By that, we mean that if the cost of oil goes up tenfold in the next two years, you won't be affected. You're 'locking in' to today's prices.
There's the positive implication when it comes to your service history, too. You'll have a book stamped and signed by the supplying dealer, which will be great when you come to part with the car. Or, if you're on a PCP deal, it will keep the dealer happy.
It also means you don't have to be nervous about facing huge service bills, or at least that's the theory...
Go on, what's the catch?
Well of course there's a catch. Despite the name, a lot of these plans don't cover the things you might. So brakes, tyres, wipers, some filters, exhaust, clutch – none are covered.
So, if your car needs to have any of these wear and tear parts replaced, it's going to be a big bill.
Then there's the fact you're tied to a dealer or dealer group. A lot can happen in three years, so if you move or find yourself in a situation where another garage is closer, you may find the plan is non-transferable, thus leaving you out of pocket.
But I have to go to main dealer to keep my warranty, right?
Not really, no. Any independent garage can look after your car, just so long as they are certified and recognised within the motor trade.
And as long as they use manufacturer approved parts, there will be nothing wrong as far as the warranty is concerned. Plus, you could save up to 60% on labour costs by using and independent garage.
So should I get a service plan?
Service plans a popular because people are rubbish at money management, so the idea of the bill being taken out of their hands appeals. Whereas in reality, there could still be big expenses to fork out for, even with a plan.
It's totally up to you, but if you have the self-discipline to just put a few quid into a savings account every month and earmark it for the car, you'll be fine. Plus, you can choose any garage you like, then.