Car Servicing in Hazelwood

Hazelwood is a small rural hamlet in the River Avon valley area of the South Hams, reached by narrow lanes. Cars in places like this are often relied on for every trip, so a breakdown is more than an inconvenience.

Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Drivers from the surrounding countryside and from nearby Loddiswell, Kingsbridge, Modbury and South Brent come to us, and this page explains the servicing we offer.

Why does regular servicing matter in the countryside?

When a car is relied on for every trip from a rural hamlet, a car that will not start is a real problem. Regular servicing finds worn belts, tired batteries, low fluids and tyre damage before they leave you stuck.

Rural lanes also bring potholes, loose stone and mud, all of which affect tyres, suspension and brakes.

For a hamlet driver, planning ahead is far less stressful than reacting to a breakdown. Book the service when the handbook says it is due, not when the car complains, and tell us if you are unsure what is due.

What are interim, full and major services?

An interim service is usually an oil and filter change with checks of key items. A full service is wider, with more checks and more replacements as the schedule requires. A major service adds work due at longer intervals.

The exact content varies by vehicle, so we do not use a single fixed checklist. We follow what the manufacturer lays down for your car.

Cars that cover lots of miles on rural roads can suit an interim service between annual services, and we can advise once we know your mileage and how the car is used.

• Interim: lighter, high-mileage drivers
• Full: broader annual service
• Major: longer-interval items

What do oil and filter changes do, and why follow the handbook?

Oil lubricates and cools, and the filter removes dirt. Old oil and a blocked filter allow wear to build. The handbook sets intervals by time and mileage.

Keeping to it protects the engine and records the car's history. Check your oil level between services if the car does lots of miles.

Low oil, a dark oil colour or a warning light are signs to act on. If the oil pressure light comes on while driving, stop safely rather than continue.

Can I get a health check or pre-purchase inspection?

A health check reviews tyres, brakes, lights, fluids and other wear items and reports what needs attention. A pre-purchase inspection does this for a second-hand car you are thinking of buying.

Either one gives you facts, though neither can promise nothing will go wrong later.

Do you cover Hazelwood, and where is the garage?

Yes. We are at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL, and drivers from the surrounding countryside and nearby towns bring cars to us. We are an RAC Approved Garage for petrol and diesel vehicles.

You can have an MOT with the service for a car or van. Ask for a quote and describe any symptoms.

Mention in your message that you are coming from the Hazelwood area. It helps us understand how the car is used and what to look at.