Car Servicing in Bigbury

Bigbury is a coastal village near Bigbury-on-Sea and Burgh Island, where the lanes are narrow and the summer visitors arrive in numbers. A car here spends the busy months crawling in queues and the quieter ones making steady local trips, and both patterns put real wear on an engine and its brakes.

Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and we service cars for drivers from Bigbury, Ringmore, Bantham and Thurlestone. This page explains the types of service, what an oil change is for, and what to tell us when you want a quote.

What is the difference between an interim, full and major service?

Think of the three as steps up in depth. An interim service typically covers an oil and filter change plus checks of key safety and wear items, and suits high-mileage drivers between annual services. A full service adds more items to the list and replaces more parts as the schedule requires.

A major service takes in work that only falls due occasionally. Exactly what is checked or changed varies from one vehicle to the next, so we do not promise a fixed list. We follow the manufacturer's recommendations for your car and will explain what is included when we quote.

Why does stop-start summer traffic matter for servicing?

Queueing at slow speed with the engine hot and little airflow is tough on cooling systems, brakes and clutches, and extra idling is hard on oil. If you have been through a busy season, a health check afterwards can show up worn brake components, low fluids or tyres that have taken knocks from kerbs.

Leave it until a warning light or an odd smell appears and the repair is usually larger. If the temperature gauge climbs or the brakes feel wrong, stop driving and call us rather than pressing on.

• Brake feel that has changed
• Temperature gauge creeping up
• Fluid levels that keep dropping

Do I really need to follow the manufacturer's service schedule?

Yes, in most cases it is the sensible route. The handbook tells you what the maker expects and when, usually by mileage or time. Sticking to it helps the engine last, and a stamped or documented history is reassuring for the next owner.

Oil and filter changes are the heart of it. Fresh oil lubricates and cools moving parts, and a new filter keeps dirt out. We use the grade your engine specifies, and we can advise if you are unsure which that is.

Can you inspect a car I am thinking of buying?

A pre-purchase inspection gives you an independent check of a second-hand vehicle before you hand over money. We look over the engine, underside, brakes, tyres, suspension and general condition, and pick up leaks, uneven wear and signs of missed maintenance.

Many people buying for the holiday season or a second car find this worthwhile. It cannot promise the car stays trouble free, but it lets you decide with eyes open.

Do you work on cars from Bigbury, and how do I reach you?

We do. Bigbury drivers, and people from Ringmore, Bantham and Thurlestone, bring cars to us at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes. We are an RAC Approved Garage handling petrol and diesel cars.

Ask for a quote with your registration and a note of any symptoms. We can also arrange an MOT with the service for cars and vans, so one booking can sort both.