Missed your routine car service over summer? Read this

What you’ll discover below:

Like your health & wellbeing, your car needs attention from time to time, and if you ignore the signs, minor issues can turn into major ones.

What happens if my car service is overdue?

If you’ve missed your routine car service, it can be easy to put it off and deal with it later. But an overdue service on car components like your air conditioning or brakes can lead to issues that build up over time and can end up costing more.

So, what happens if your car service is overdue?

When car servicing is delayed, essential maintenance tasks are pushed back, which include oil changes, fluid top-ups, filter replacements and routine inspections. These checks help keep your car running reliably and efficiently and prevent costly break downs and unnecessary repairs.

One of the main risks of not servicing your car is increased wear on key components. Unusual noises should be investigated as soon as possible. Engine oil breaks down over time and needs replacing to keep protecting moving parts. Filters can also clog, leading to reduced performance and fuel efficiency as well as undue stress on the components they protect. If you skip a car service, smaller issues like these might go unnoticed and turn into more expensive repairs down the track.

There are also safety considerations. During a service, important systems like brakes, tyres and the cooling system are checked. An overdue car service can increase the chance of faults developing without warning.

If you’re worrying about an overdue service on your car or have missed a service altogether, it’s worth booking in to get your car checked sooner rather than later. Rectifying your overdue car servicing helps maintain safety, performance and reliability.

Signs of a missed service on car

If you’ve missed a service on your car, there are often small signs that appear over time. Here are a few common ones to keep an eye out for:

These signs don’t always mean something serious straight away, but they can indicate that your car isn't being properly maintained. If you’ve noticed any of these after missing a car service, it’s a good idea to have it checked ASAP.

Can skipping a service affect air conditioning?

Is your car AC not cold enough in hot weather? A missed car service could be part of the reason.

Your air conditioning system relies on refrigerant levels, filters and overall system health to work properly. During regular servicing, these components can be checked and maintained. If you skip a car service, small issues like low refrigerant or a blocked cabin filter may not be picked up.

Hot weather puts extra pressure on your air conditioning. If the system isn’t running at its best, you might notice weaker airflow, longer cooling times or air that doesn’t feel as cold as it should.

If your car's aircon is not performing as it used to, or there’s an odd smell, it may need a regas or an inspection. Getting it checked as soon as you can after a missed service on car components like the air conditioning can help restore cooling performance and make driving in warmer conditions more pleasant.

Does a car use more coolant in hot weather?

Hot weather puts more pressure on your engine, so your cooling system has to work harder. A car doesn’t usually use or consume coolant in any weather type or season, but overdue car servicing can increase the risk of problems, especially if there are minor leaks that are progressive over time, coolant levels can drop below a serviceable level, and cause catastrophic engine damage, so it’s best to have your cooling system pressure tested, which is part of your vehicle’s annual inspection.

Coolant helps keep your engine at a safe temperature. Low or degraded coolant can make it harder for your engine to stay cool or even cause cooling system components to rust when certain additives to coolant no longer do their job. In warmer conditions, this can show up as higher engine temperatures or even lead to overheating and engine damage. If your car service is overdue, it is worth having the cooling system checked to help prevent overheating.

Why is my car making noise in hot weather?

If your car is making a strange noise in hot weather, it can be a sign that something is under strain.

Heat can affect different parts of your vehicle, including belts, fluids and the engine itself. When servicing is overdue, the components in your cooling system may not be in the best condition, making noises more noticeable. You might hear squealing when starting the car, grinding when braking, or ticking sounds from the engine.

Fluids also play a role. If oil or other fluids weren’t checked during a service, they may not be providing your car the protection it needs. This can lead to increased friction and noise, particularly in warmer conditions.

If you notice new or unusual sounds after a missed car service, it is worth getting it checked, because addressing the cause early can help prevent further wear and keep your car running smoothly.

Don’t let an overdue service catch you out

Life happens, and we get busy, but if you’ve missed a scheduled service, getting back on track with a car service after summer can help avoid bigger issues down the line.

After months of heat and heavier use, your car may have experienced extra wear without you noticing. Getting on top of your overdue car service is a chance to check key systems like engine oil, brakes, tyres, coolant and air conditioning, so everything keeps working as it should.

Catching up on overdue car servicing also helps identify small problems early, before they turn into more costly repairs. Whether it’s a logbook service, aircon regas or a coolant check, staying on top of maintenance keeps your car reliable for everyday driving.

So don’t delay it any longer! Book in your service now and drive with confidence, knowing your car has been properly checked and is ready for the months ahead. Plus our Logbook and Essential Plus Services come with 12 months Roadside Assistance.

If you’re just too busy to come in, we can come to you with our mobile servicing, so book a mobile service instead.

Get your car back on track after summer

Book a service at your local mycar anywhere around Australia and have your vehicle checked by our experienced technicians. From logbook servicing to aircon regas and coolant checks, you can get everything looked at in one place.

You can also check current tyre offers when booking online to make the most of available service deals.

Missed Car Servicing FAQs

How often do you need to service your car?

How often you need to service your car depends on your vehicle and how you drive it. Most cars follow a set service schedule, often based on time or kilometres driven. Sticking to this schedule helps keep your car running reliably and reduces the risk of unexpected issues.

How long can you go without servicing your car?

How long you can delay servicing your car depends on your vehicle and how you drive it, but ideally, you should stick to the servicing schedule. There are certainly risks of not servicing car systems regularly, including reduced reliability and a higher chance of breakdowns.

What happens if you skip a car service?

Skipping a car service can lead to increased wear on key components like the engine, brakes and cooling system. Over time, this can reduce performance, affect fuel efficiency and increase the risk of breakdowns. Small issues may also go unnoticed and turn into more expensive repairs if left unchecked. If your service is overdue, it’s a good idea to have it checked sooner rather than later.