Pro Tip: Sticking to the Full Service schedule is the most important step you can take in protecting your Ford’s mechanical longevity and safety, and is required to keep your warranty and any financial agreements you have in place valid as well.
The Ford Digital Service Record (DSR)
For all modern Fords, your service history is recorded using the Digital Service Record (DSR) system, which has replaced the old physical stamp-in-a-book method.
What the DSR Means for You
Here, the service information is now stored centrally and digitally by Ford, and not on a piece of paper that you keep.
This then guarantees that the history is accurate and cannot be lost, falsified, or tampered with.
Maintained Warranty
Official Ford dealers and authorised service partners, such as us here at Hartwell, will also update the DSR immediately upon completion of your service as well.
This then makes sure that your manufacturer's warranty remains unequivocally valid as a result.
Resale Value
A comprehensive and up-to-date DSR also will significantly increase the resale or trade-in value of your Ford, as it provides a clear, verifiable audit trail of maintenance to the next owner.
Pro Tip: Always make sure that your chosen garage is authorised and able to access and update the Ford DSR, like we are.
As here an independent garage must be authorised to use this system to make sure your record is officially logged, and you get the credit for the service actually taking place.
Servicing vs. The MOT Test
It is actually a very common error to believe that an MOT test is a substitute for servicing. It is not, as here the MOT (Ministry of Transport) test and servicing are two entirely separate requirements.
For instance, here you have:
The MOT Test
This is a mandatory annual inspection for cars over three years old, and it is purely an inspection of vehicle safety, roadworthiness, and environmental compliance, carried out to a legal minimum standard.
An MOT then does not involve replacing any fluids, filters, or worn mechanical parts unless they are found to be faulty and require repair to pass the test - in essence, you should think of this more as a legal check, not a maintenance schedule.
Servicing
The service is then a preventative maintenance measure, which involves replacing worn components (like oil, filters, spark plugs), tyre checks and making necessary adjustments to keep your vehicle in the best condition above the legal minimum standard, along wiht identifiying anythign that looks ot be coming an issue sooner, saving you money in the long run by being able to replace parts that are getting worn, before they fail.
Specific Ford Components Covered in a Service
While the above schedules apply generally, some modern Ford components also require specific attention during a service.
For instance, here you can include:
The EcoBoost Engine (1.0L, 1.5L, 2.0L)
As you may know, this is Ford’s very popular turbocharged EcoBoost engines, which are both powerful and efficient, but to be so, they rely heavily on good quality oil and cooling systems due to the high temperatures they generate.
Consequently, during a service here, the following areas can be checked to keep this running as you expect:
Oil Quality
These engines must use the precise, low-viscosity synthetic oil specified by Ford ideally.
As by using the wrong specification will lead directly to turbocharger and engine damage, which will result in extremely high repair costs as a result of doing so.
Timing Belt in Oil (Wet Belt)
Then, on some EcoBoost models, the timing belt runs through the engine oil.
This more unique design requires the oil and filter changes to be exact to prevent the belt material from deteriorating and causing you to have catastrophic engine failure as a direct result of it doing so.
Here specific service intervals for wet belts must also be followed to make sure they don't cause you big problems down the line.
If you are worried about this, pleasecontact our service team to see if you should be booked in for these checks.
Automatic Gearboxes
Many modern Fords, such as the new Ford Mustang Mach-E feature a more sophisticated automatic transmission (such as the Powershift or modern torque converter units as well).
As a result, these can require extra checks such as:
Fluid Changes
Here, the fluid in an automatic gearbox degrades over time and mileage.
Due to this, Ford specifies that the gearbox fluid and filter (if applicable) must be changed at specific, non-negotiable intervals, typically between 30,000 and 60,000 miles, depending on the model.
So if you then ignore this service will lead to poor gear changes, overheating, and ultimately, expensive gearbox failure as well, so one to not leave off.
Air Conditioning (A/C) System
While often overlooked, the A/C system is ideally needed for you to demist your windscreen quickly; however, the refrigerant gas naturally leaks out over time.
As a result, here you can see:
Recharge (Re-Gas)
This is where the air conditioning system requires a professional recharge (re-gas) every two to three years.
This then makes sure that the system operates efficiently, cools the cabin effectively in summer, and significantly helps you to demist your windscreen in damp weather as well by keeping on top of this.
The Cost of Ford Servicing, What Can You Expect
The price of maintaining your Ford is not a fixed, recommended retail price, but instead it is a more variable figure that depends entirely on the level of work required and where the service is carried out.
However, to help you understand the factors that influence the final bill, here you have:
1. Service Level and Parts
The most significant factor is the type of service you need.
Minor / Interim Service
This is the basic interval service that focuses on essential fluid and filter changes, and it involves fewer parts and less labour, therefore it will always be the lowest priced of the three main service types.
Major / Full Service
This is then more of a detailed annual or biennial check, so it requires replacing a significantly greater number of parts (like all filters and spark plugs) and will therefore involve more labour.
As a result, this will naturally cost substantially more than the Minor Service will tend to.
Worn or Damaged Parts
The price can also increase if the technician identifies any components - such as your brake pads, brake discs, or worn tyres - that require replacement to make sure that your car is safe and compliant with your warranty conditions.
Due to this, these necessary repairs are not included in the basic service cost.
How to Manage Your Ford Service Costs?
To make the cost of servicing predictable, many drivers opt for monthly Ford service plans.
These plans then allow you to spread the total cost of your scheduled interval service and major service costs over monthly payments, often offering a fixed price that protects you against inflation of parts and labour charges for the duration of the plan.
If this is something you are interested in, please contact a member of our service team to discuss your options further.
What is a Ford Essential Service?
The Ford Essential Service is then a specifically designed programme to keep older Ford vehicles in their best condition possible.
For instance, this will tend to target models that are generally outside of their primary warranty period but still require manufacturer-quality maintenance.
Key features of the Essential Service can include, for instance:
Targeted Vehicles
The service is primarily aimed at older passenger cars, models which are generally outside of their primary manufacturer's warranty period.
Expert Labour
All work is carried out by Ford-trained technicians who have the specific knowledge of your vehicle’s engineering, ensuring professional service.
Guaranteed Quality
The service exclusively uses Ford Motorcraft parts or Ford quality parts, ensuring a precise fit and optimal performance and reliability.
Clear Pricing
The programme is marketed on transparent, upfront pricing, ensuring you know the costs before any work is undertaken, eliminating unexpected bills.
What the Essential Service Includes
The Essential Service is comprehensive and acts much as an Interim Service does, but with extra checks thrown in.
For instance, this includes an oil and filter change, checks and top-ups of essential fluids (antifreeze, brake fluid, washer fluid), a full visual brake check (wheels off), and a battery check.
The service here also includes a Ford Video Check, which gives you a visual confirmation of any work needed, and a pollen and air filter change is also included, though replacing both filters might incur an extra charge.
Pro Tip: You should think of this programme as Ford’s way of offering you highly competitive, fixed-price maintenance for models that require reliable, expert care without the potentially higher cost of a standard main-dealer service.
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Why Choose an Official Ford Dealer?
Choosing an official Ford dealership for your maintenance such as us here at Hartwell, guarantees you the highest level of care for your vehicle.
For instance, here we eliminate the guesswork, making sure that your car is protected and its safety is maintained to the manufacturer's exact standard.
For instance, from us you can expect:
Genuine Ford Parts
We only use Genuine Ford Parts. These components are specifically engineered, tested, and guaranteed to fit your vehicle perfectly, maintaining its safety and performance standards.
Ford-Trained Technicians
Our staff are Ford-trained experts who have exclusive access to the latest diagnostic equipment, technical bulletins, and specific training for every Ford model, especially complex new Euro passenger cars.
Digital Service Record (DSR)
Your service history is immediately and accurately logged in the central Ford Digital Service Record (DSR). This ensures your history is verifiable and cannot be lost.
Warranty Protection
Maintaining your service schedule with an official dealer unequivocally ensures your manufacturer's warranty remains valid.
How to Find Your Exact Ford Service Schedule
While we provide general interval guidelines above, your Ford may have specific maintenance needs based on its engine type (e.g., EcoBoost) or usage.
As a result, you must follow the precise schedule laid out for your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
To find these, you can use teh following means to do so:
FordPass App
The FordPass App is actually the easiest method.
As here, the FordPass App will usually store your vehicle's specific schedule and history, giving you instant access to your maintenance requirements for you.
Owner’s Handbook
The physical handbook provided with your car will also contain the detailed, which are your non-negotiable service interval schedule.
Online Ford Tools
As an official Ford dealer, you can also call us, and we will be able to tell you over the phone as well.
The Ford Video Check, How We Guarantee Transparency Of The Work Needed & Carried Out
When you bring your Ford in for servicing, our technicians will conduct a full multi-point inspection.
Here as well, we go one step further by providing you with a Ford Video Check.
As a result, key details of the Video Check include, for instance:
What the Ford Video Check is
The technician records a short, personalised video while inspecting key areas of your vehicle - often focusing on the brakes, tyres, and suspension.
What the Video Check shows
This video report clearly highlights any components that require immediate attention, or that may need attention in the near future, giving you a clear forecast of necessary work.
The Benefit
The Video Check also makes sure that we give you full transparency as well, as you see exactly what we see, allowing you to authorise any necessary repair work with total confidence and clarity before we proceed.
So is a Ford Car Service Right For You?
As you can see regular, scheduled servicing is the cornerstone of when it comes to keeping your Ford in its best condition possible.
You can also see now that to keep everything in place, around your warranty etc... you must also follow the manufacturer's specified intervals to the letter here - 12 months/10,000 miles for the Interim Service and 24 months/20,000 miles for the Full Service - whichever comes first.
Need to get your Ford booked in for its service?
Then use our online booking system to book your next Ford Service today.
If you liked our Ford car service guide, then you may like some of our other car reviews and buyer's guides, such as, for instance:
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- Ford Fiesta - Compare the models, price, safety features and more
Who is Hartwell?
Here at Hartwell, we are a well-established new and used car dealership group in the UK with over a century of experience in the automotive industry.
Founded in 1919, we have grown to become one of the leading car dealerships across the UK, offering you a wide range of new vehicles and low mileage used vehicles from popular brands such as Ford, BYD, Omoda, and GWM Ora cars, all with competitive car deals especially for the used car market.
With multiple local Ford dealer locations across the country, here at Hartwell, we can provide you with comprehensive services, including vehicle sales, schedule services, MOTs, and repairs.
Our local car dealerships are also known for our customer-focused approach, ensuring a seamless buying experience through personalised service, competitive pricing, and flexible financing options.
As a result, we also pride ourselves on our aftersales support - regardless if you are buying a luxury car or a standard family car - helping all our customers keep their vehicles in top condition.
So, whether you are looking for a new car, a quality used vehicle, or professional maintenance services, we have built a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness in the UK car market and are here to help you.