Keeping on top of car maintenance can help your vehicle stay safe, reliable and efficient, while spotting smaller problems before they develop into expensive repairs.
You don’t need to be a mechanic to look after the basics. Regular checks of your tyres, fluid levels, lights and other essential components can make a real difference, alongside having your car serviced at the intervals recommended by its manufacturer.
This guide covers the key areas of car maintenance every driver should understand, from simple checks you can carry out yourself to recognising when your vehicle may need professional attention.
For more advice on looking after your vehicle, explore our car maintenance guidance.
Take Time to Check Your Tyres
Your tyres are the only parts of your car in direct contact with the road, so their condition can affect braking, steering, handling and overall safety.
Check them regularly for correct pressure, adequate tread depth and signs of damage or uneven wear. A tyre that is losing pressure, badly worn or visibly damaged should be investigated rather than left until your next service.
What should you check?
When checking your tyres, look at three main areas: tread depth, tyre pressure and overall condition. Check for cuts, cracks, bulges or uneven wear as well as anything embedded in the tyre.
Tyre tread depth
For most cars in the UK, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference. However, you shouldn’t rely on the legal minimum as a maintenance target — check your tyres regularly and replace them when necessary.
Tyre pressure
Correct tyre pressure helps your tyres perform as intended and can reduce unnecessary wear. Underinflated or overinflated tyres can affect handling, braking, fuel efficiency and tyre life.
Check pressures when the tyres are cold and use the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for the load you’re carrying. You can usually find the correct figures in the owner’s manual or vehicle information provided by the manufacturer.
Check Your Car Fluids
Your car relies on several fluids to operate correctly, and checking them regularly can help you spot leaks, low levels or other problems early.
Depending on your vehicle, important fluids can include:
- Engine oil – check the level as recommended by the manufacturer and use the correct specification when topping up.
- Engine coolant – check the level when the engine is cold and investigate unexplained drops, which could indicate a leak.
- Screenwash – keep the reservoir topped up so you can maintain a clear windscreen in poor weather and dirty road conditions.
- Brake fluid – this forms part of your braking system and should be maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Some vehicles may have additional fluids that require checking or scheduled replacement. Your owner’s manual or manufacturer maintenance schedule is the best reference for your particular car.
If you repeatedly need to top up a fluid, notice a leak underneath the vehicle or see a relevant dashboard warning, it’s sensible to have the cause investigated rather than simply continuing to refill it.
Build a Simple Maintenance Routine
Car maintenance becomes much easier when you make a few simple checks part of your normal routine. You don’t need to inspect everything every time you drive, but regularly looking over your car can help you notice changes before they become bigger problems.
Useful checks include:
- Tyres – check pressures, tread depth and look for damage or unusual wear.
- Lights – regularly check headlights, brake lights, indicators and number plate lights.
- Fluid levels – keep an eye on engine oil, coolant, screenwash and other fluids specified by your vehicle manufacturer.
- Windscreen and wipers – check for damage and make sure your wipers clear the screen effectively.
- Warning lights – don’t ignore new dashboard warnings or messages.
- Brakes and steering – pay attention to changes in braking, steering feel, unusual noises or vibrations.
These simple checks don’t replace proper servicing or professional inspections. They are an easy way of becoming familiar with your car and spotting when something doesn’t seem right. It’s also worth understanding which vehicle maintenance checks are legal requirements in the UK, particularly when it comes to keeping your car roadworthy.
Keep Up With Your Car Service Schedule
Routine servicing is an important part of looking after your car because some maintenance can’t be covered by the simple checks you carry out yourself.
Service intervals vary between vehicles and can depend on factors such as the manufacturer, model, age, mileage and type of servicing schedule. Rather than relying on a single rule for every car, follow the service intervals recommended for your particular vehicle.
Keeping up with servicing can also create a useful record of how your car has been maintained. Service records, invoices and other maintenance documents can help demonstrate its history when you eventually come to sell it.
If you’re unsure when your vehicle should next be serviced, read our guide to how often you should service your car.
Pay Attention to Changes in How Your Car Drives
Regular maintenance isn’t only about following a checklist. Changes in the way your car feels, sounds or behaves can also provide an early warning that something needs attention.
Look out for symptoms such as:
- new knocking, grinding, squealing or rattling noises;
- unusual vibrations through the steering wheel or pedals;
- changes in braking or steering;
- difficulty starting the engine;
- loss of power or unusual engine behaviour;
- warning lights or messages appearing on the dashboard;
- smoke, unusual smells or fluid underneath the vehicle.
Not every change means there is a serious problem, but ignoring persistent symptoms can allow a relatively small fault to develop into a more expensive repair. If you’re unsure what is causing a change, having the vehicle checked by a qualified professional is usually better than waiting for the problem to worsen.
Car Maintenance Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult
Looking after your car doesn’t mean you need to understand every mechanical component. A few regular checks, following the correct servicing schedule and responding when something doesn’t seem right can go a long way towards keeping a vehicle reliable and in good condition.
Keeping records matters too. Service records, maintenance invoices and evidence of repairs can help show how a vehicle has been cared for throughout your ownership. You can learn more about keeping this information together in our Service History & Vehicle Records guidance.
And when the time comes to change your car, its condition and maintenance history can form part of its overall value. Value your car with Jamjar to see what your vehicle could be worth.