Car Servicing in Pear Tree

Pear Tree is a small rural hamlet in South Devon, reached by narrow country lanes. It lies within reach of Totnes, Dartington, Paignton and Churston, so drivers here often head in several directions in a week, and the car needs to be ready for any of them.

Automaster is an independent garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We service petrol and diesel cars, and we also test cars and vans for the MOT. Here is a guide to the service choices and how to ask for a quote.

Which service does my car need: interim, full or major?

An interim service is the lighter choice, centred on engine oil, the filter and a range of checks, and is useful between full services. A full service adds more replacement items and a wider inspection. A major service is the most comprehensive and takes in longer-interval parts set out by the manufacturer.

Contents depend on the make, model and age, so we start with the manufacturer information for your car and explain what we recommend.

If your car has covered a lot of motorway-style miles or a lot of short hops, say so when you ask for a quote, as that shapes the advice we give.

Why should I stick to the service schedule?

The schedule in the handbook is the manufacturer's plan for keeping your engine healthy, usually by time and mileage. Following it helps avoid wear going unnoticed and gives you a record that supports resale.

If the book is missing, give us the registration and any history, and we will work out what is due.

What is the point of changing the oil and filter?

Clean oil lubricates and cools the engine; a fresh filter keeps dirt out of it. Tired oil and a clogged filter speed up wear. If you do mostly short journeys on lanes or into town, oil can age faster than the mileage suggests.

An oil and filter change can be done by itself between services.

• Fresh oil and new filter
• Level checked afterwards
• Leaks looked for

What is a vehicle health check?

It is an inspection of the main wear and safety items, including tyres, brakes, steering, suspension, lights, belts, hoses and fluids, with a report on the results. It is handy before a longer drive towards Paignton or Totnes, or before the MOT.

If we find something, we explain it in plain terms and let you decide what to do. Never keep driving if brakes, steering or temperature behave strangely.

Do you cover Pear Tree, and can you inspect a car before purchase?

Yes. We are at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from Pear Tree and the neighbouring places come to us for servicing, MOT testing and repairs.

A pre-purchase inspection tells you about the mechanical condition of a second-hand car before you buy, including leaks, wear and warning signs. It is a snapshot on the day, not a promise, but it helps you make a sound decision. We also do general maintenance and fault finding.

When you request a quote, tell us the make, model, mileage and anything you have noticed, so we can recommend the work properly.