Your Car Has Been Serviced. So Why Is the Mechanic Asking for More Money?
You book your car in for its regular service. You’ve budgeted for it, you know what’s due, and you expect to collect your vehicle later that day.
Then the mechanic calls.
“Your service is done, but we’ve noticed your brake pads are getting low.”
Hang on. Wasn’t that the whole point of taking the car in?
It’s a question many motorists have asked. And the answer comes down to something that’s often misunderstood: the difference between servicing a car and maintaining the parts that wear out.
A Service Doesn’t Mean Everything Is New Again
When your vehicle goes in for a scheduled service, the workshop follows a service schedule, usually set out by the manufacturer.
Depending on the vehicle and its mileage, this could include replacing engine oil, filters, spark plugs and other scheduled service items.
The mechanic may also inspect your brakes, suspension, tyres and other components.
But here’s the important distinction:
Checking a component isn’t the same as replacing it.
Your brake pads might be inspected during a service, but replacing them may be a separate expense.
The same applies to several other components that wear down through normal use.
Why Do Some Parts Wear Out Faster Than Others?
Two people can drive identical cars, bought on the same day, and have very different replacement costs.
Why?
Because how you drive, where you drive and the conditions your vehicle faces all influence wear and tear.
Brakes: It’s Not Just About Kilometres
Think about two drivers.
One spends most of the day travelling on open roads, with relatively little braking.
The other spends hours in stop-start traffic, constantly slowing down and accelerating.
Even if both cover the same distance, their brake pads may wear at very different rates.
Driving habits, vehicle weight, road conditions and braking frequency all play a role.
Clutches: City Driving Can Take Its Toll
If you drive a manual vehicle, your clutch works every time you change gears.
Frequent stop-start driving, riding the clutch and holding a vehicle on an incline using the clutch can increase wear.
And unlike an oil filter, a clutch isn’t something you replace at every scheduled service.
It generally needs attention when its condition requires it.
Shock Absorbers: You Might Not Notice the Difference Immediately
Shock absorbers help keep your tyres in contact with the road and control the movement of your vehicle’s suspension.
Over time, they can lose effectiveness.
The change may happen gradually, making it difficult to notice until the vehicle’s handling or ride quality becomes noticeably different.
Potholes, uneven roads and regular heavy loads can also place additional strain on suspension components.
The Parts That Don’t Follow Your Service Schedule
Some components have fairly predictable service intervals. Others don’t.
Brake pads, batteries, wiper blades, belts, hoses and suspension components can all require attention at different stages of a vehicle’s life.
Their condition depends on more than just the odometer reading.
That’s why a vehicle can be properly serviced and still need additional work.
It doesn’t necessarily mean the workshop did anything wrong or that your car is unreliable.
Sometimes, it’s simply normal wear and tear.
So, What Should You Do?
You can’t stop components from wearing out, but you can make better decisions about maintaining your vehicle.
Here are a few practical habits worth adopting:
Ask for an inspection report. When collecting your vehicle after a service, ask which components are showing signs of wear, even if they don’t need immediate replacement.
Understand what’s included in your service plan. Don’t assume that every part inspected during a service is also covered for replacement.
Pay attention to changes in your vehicle. Unusual noises, vibrations, braking behaviour or handling can be signs that something needs attention.
Don’t automatically postpone recommended repairs. Ask the workshop how urgent the work is and what the consequences of delaying it might be.
Plan for replacement costs. Even a well-maintained car will eventually need new wear-and-tear components.
Servicing and Wear & Tear: Two Different Parts of Vehicle Ownership
A service plan and wear-and-tear cover serve different purposes.
A service plan generally deals with scheduled servicing in accordance with the applicable service schedule and plan terms.
Wear-and-tear cover, on the other hand, can help with the cost of eligible components that deteriorate through normal use, subject to the specific cover and benefit limits.
Understanding that difference can help you avoid surprises when the mechanic calls.
Because a car that’s been serviced isn’t necessarily a car that won’t need anything else.
Want to Plan Ahead for Wear & Tear?
MOTOPLAN offers a separate Wear & Tear Plan covering specified components, with a once-off payment and a choice of available benefit options.
Explore MOTOPLAN Wear & Tear Plans
Cover is subject to the selected plan’s eligibility requirements, terms, exclusions and benefit limits.
MOTOPLAN
Your trusted partner in vehicle care in South Africa.
