Car Servicing in Bickington

Bickington lies on the road between Newton Abbot and Ashburton, close to the A38 on the edge of Dartmoor. Cars here climb, descend and cruise on the main road in the same week, and engines, brakes and cooling systems all feel it. Regular servicing is how small wear gets caught early.

Automaster is an independent garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We service petrol and diesel cars for drivers in Bickington, Newton Abbot, Liverton, Heathfield and Buckfastleigh. Below is a plain guide to the options and what to tell us when you ask for a quote.

Which car service is right for my car in Bickington?

An interim service is a lighter visit, normally an oil and filter change with a round of safety checks, and suits drivers who cover plenty of miles between annual services. A full service adds replacement of further wear items and a more detailed inspection. A major service is the fullest, taking in the longer-interval parts that the manufacturer specifies.

What each level actually includes varies with the make, model and age, so we do not promise a fixed checklist. We start from the manufacturer information, look at your car, and recommend the level that fits.

Why does the handbook schedule matter on hilly roads?

The handbook sets the intervals for oil, filters, belts and other parts, based on how the engine was designed. Hilly driving and fast main-road running both put extra load on an engine, so leaving a service overdue gives wear more room to build.

Keep your service book up to date with each visit. A full record helps when you sell, and it helps us spot anything that has been missed. If you do not have the book, give us the registration and what you know of the history.

How important is it to change oil and filters on time?

Oil keeps metal surfaces apart, carries heat away and holds dirt in suspension until the filter catches it. When oil is old, it does all of that less well. Engines working hard on climbs and then cooling off in short trips are tough on oil.

An oil and filter change is a core part of any service, and you can ask for one between services if you are not due the next one yet.

• Fresh oil and a new filter
• Fluid levels checked and topped
• Leaks looked for underneath
• Condition noted for your records

Can I get a health check before heading out on the A38?

Yes. A vehicle health check looks at tyres, brakes, lights, steering, suspension, belts, hoses and fluids, and gives you a clear report of what is fine and what is not. It suits you ahead of a long trip or before the MOT.

Warning lights, a new vibration or a noise on the move are all reasons to book fault finding sooner. Do not keep driving if the brakes feel wrong, the steering is vague or the engine is overheating. Stop safely and get the car checked.

Do you cover Bickington, and can you inspect a car I want to buy?

We do. Drivers from Bickington and the villages around Newton Abbot and Buckfastleigh bring their cars to our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes for servicing, MOT testing and repairs.

If you are buying a second-hand vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection tells you what condition it is in before you pay. We check the mechanical items, look for leaks and wear, and give you an honest summary. It is a snapshot on the day, not a forecast, but it helps you buy with your eyes open.