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Car Service Checklist: What Should Your Mechanic Check?

  • Car Workshop Tips
  • October 28, 2026

Car servicing is an important aspect of keeping your car in optimal condition.

When it comes to servicing your car, it should be noted that it isn’t just about checking the oil. A proper service should include inspecting several systems to identify wear, leaks, fluid issues, and potential problems.

However, the checks required can vary depending on several factors, such as the car’s age and mileage.

If you’re looking for a mechanic to check your car, why not look us up at Carbon Clean? Not only do we provide inspections, but we also offer maintenance and repair services.

Engine & Under The Bonnet

Unless you’re driving an electric car, your engine is arguably one of the most important parts of your car since it’s what allows your car to move. As such, it’s best to start the inspection there.

Thankfully, the engine compartment is easily accessible. Apart from checking your engine oil, things like the oil filter, coolant, and other components around the engine bay should also be checked.

Here’s a list of what should be checked:

Component What Your Mechanic Checks
Engine oil Oil level, condition, leaks and whether it needs changing
Oil filter Condition and whether replacement is due
Coolant Coolant level, condition and possible leaks
Air filter Dirt buildup and whether replacement is needed
Belts & hoses Cracks, wear, looseness and visible damage
Engine bay Visible leaks, loose connections and unusual signs of wear
Spark plugs Condition and replacement interval, where applicable
Blue car elevated on a workshop lift with front wheel removed showing disc brake assembly and suspension components
(Source: envato.com)

Brakes & Safety

Another important component to check is your car’s braking system. After all, it’s what allows the car to stop. Checking the brakes should be fairly easy, especially for the brake pads, as they tend to emit a screeching sound when they are worn.

Brake discs should also be inspected, especially on older vehicles, as they tend to wear over time. One indication that they may need to be replaced is a thudding noise when braking. Regardless, below is a list of what should be inspected:

Component What Your Mechanic Checks
Brake pads Remaining thickness and uneven wear
Brake discs/rotors Wear, scoring and visible damage
Brake fluid Fluid level and condition
Brake lines & hoses Leaks, cracks or damage
Parking brake Operation and holding ability
Brake performance Unusual noises, vibrations or pulling while braking
High precision optical wheel alignment target clamps attached to the wheels of a silver sports car during suspension tuning
(Source: envato.com)

Tyres, Wheels & Suspension

A car’s tyres should also not be neglected, as they are the only parts that connect your car to the road. Check the tread depth, as worn tyres can be dangerous to drive on and may cause your car to lose control in the rain due to aquaplaning.

Of course, the suspension setup should also not be neglected, as worn suspension components can affect your driving comfort and cause noises as they age. Here’s what you should check:

Component What Your Mechanic Checks
Tyres Tread depth, pressure and overall condition
Tyre wear Uneven or abnormal wear patterns
Wheels Visible damage or other issues
Shock absorbers Leaks, wear and general condition
Suspension components Bushings, joints and other components
Steering components Wear, looseness and unusual movement
Wheel alignment Whether adjustment may be needed based on symptoms or wear

Electrical & Electronics

One aspect that people tend to overlook when inspecting their car is its electrical and electronic systems.

Unless a warning light is displayed, these issues are often put aside as they don’t usually affect the car until it’s too late, such as when the battery or alternator fails.

Component What Your Mechanic Checks
Battery Condition, voltage and terminals
Alternator Charging performance
Lights Headlights, indicators, brake lights and reverse lights
Wipers & washers Operation and condition
Horn Operation
Warning lights Dashboard warning indicators
Diagnostic system Stored fault codes where appropriate
Technician adjusting an air conditioning manifold gauge set hanging from the open car hood during an AC system pressure test
(Source: envato.com)

Air-Conditioning & Cabin

For newer cars, this shouldn’t be something to worry about. However, checking the AC system for unusual smells wouldn’t hurt. Other than that, it’s best to check the AC performance from time to time to prevent it from suddenly blowing hot air on a hot day.

Component What Your Mechanic Checks
Air-conditioning Cooling performance
Airflow Strength and consistency
Cabin air filter Dirt, dust and replacement needs
AC system Unusual noises or smells
AC components Signs of leaks or other faults where applicable

Test Drive

Once everything has been checked, it’s best to do a test drive as a final check to see if there are any issues that may have been missed.

Below is a list of things to look out for when checking for possible issues:

Component What Your Mechanic Checks
Engine performance Rough running, unusual noises or loss of power
Transmission Shifting behaviour and unusual noises
Braking Braking response and unusual vibrations
Steering Response, pulling or unusual movement
Ride quality Vibrations, noises or suspension issues
Dashboard Warning lights or abnormal indicators
Overall drivability Any noticeable issues requiring further inspection

Closing

When owning a car, proper care should be taken by maintaining it regularly. By skipping your car’s maintenance, you not only risk dealing with a broken-down vehicle, but you could also endanger other drivers if your car becomes unsafe to drive.

That is why you should consult your owner’s manual to find out when you should service your car, or look out for signs that it may be time to book an appointment.

Servicing your car shouldn’t be too difficult. You can perform some basic maintenance yourself, but you can always ask your trusted mechanic to handle it as well.

Need someone to inspect your car? Visit Carbon Clean or contact us for more information!

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