Young drivers are at a greater risk of crashing than older, more experienced drivers. In the UK, drivers aged 17-19 are a third more likely to die in a crash that those aged 40-49. In addition, one in four 18-24 year olds crashes within two years of passing their driving test.

Research shows that a combination of young age and inexperience presents a greater danger on the road, as the young drivers are less likely to spot hazards and more likely to take risks.

One way to increase the safety of young drivers is to ensure that the car a young person is driving is reliable, and has been fully checked for any issues prior to being on the road. Of course, price and running cost are usually two contributing factors when a young person buys a car. If you have only just passed your test, we recommend buying a small car that’s easy to manoeuvre and park, as well as one that comes equipped with safety features such as air bags, anti-skid and automatic braking systems. Car maintenance is particularly essential.

Safety first!

Carrying out the appropriate checks will often mean getting your car serviced or having an MOT test. At Exminster Garage, we have been keeping cars and vehicles in Exeter and Exminster safely on the road for 100 years. We provide a full range of services and security checks to ensure your car runs smoothly and reliably, ensuring you can get on the road as quickly as possible once you have passed your test.

MOT test

An MOT is a legal requirement for any car registered as on the road. As the owner of a vehicle it is your responsibility to ensure that your MOT is carried out once a year. Nearly half of all faults highlighted during MOTs could be avoided by carrying out simple maintenance – we suggest checking items such as lights, wiper blades and tyres beforehand to ensure you vehicle has a better chance of passing first time. Or feel free to bring your car down to Exminster Garage for a service!

Your MOT will be undertaken at a garage that is authorised by the Vehicle Inspectorate to carry out such test. Exminster Garage is fully certified to be able to carry out the MOT. Our high-quality testing bay guarantees that our customers will receive an extensive and professional MOT test and that we provide a prompt service.

During the test, a number of items will be checked, including:

Indicators, lights and signalling equipment

Steering and suspension

Brakes

Wheels and tyres

Seatbelts

Body and structure (components such as spoilers, bumpers and mirror housings)

Emissions from your exhaust pipe

Clarity of the driver’s view of the road

If your car does not pass first time, there is no need to be disheartened – this happens more often than you might think! At Exminster Garage we are happy to advise you on the best course of action to ensure your car receives a pass certificate the next time round.

Car maintenance & vehicle servicing

Regular car servicing is paramount to making sure everything works to the best of its ability, whether this involves correcting fluid levels or replacing malfunctioning parts. While an MOT test is a legal requirement, car servicing will enable you to monitor the general health of your car. However, this does not mean that you should underestimate the importance of car maintenance.

5 reasons to get your car serviced as a young driver

1. It saves you money!

A healthy car requires less work. Cars that have been serviced are less likely to require big fixtures later down the road. Picking up on the little things early can help to rectify any issues.

2. You gain professional insight

As a young driver, there are likely to be a few maintenance checks that you are unfamiliar with. While drivers are now able to perform basic maintenance, e.g. tyre checks, you will still require a trained mechanic for more complicated problems.

3. You’re protecting yourself

While you may be able to check certain items on your car, any oversights could be potentially lethal. While an MOT will pick up on anything unsafe, having a six-month car service will ensure you are kept safe year round. That additional check could save your life!

4. Works favourably if an accident occurred

While this may not necessarily have an adverse effect, if you car was declared a total loss, insurers may take this into consideration when calculating its pre-accident value. A full and thorough service history may mean that your car insurer looks more favourably on your vehicle.

5. It maintains the warranty

Last, but certainly not least, having a car serviced regularly will help to protect the warranty on a new car. If the car is not serviced to the manufacturer’s standards, the warranty could become invalid, which could leave you out of pocket should something go wrong.

If you would like to book for a car or vehicle servicing, please contact Exminster Garage for more information.