HomeAdvice Centre Packages & Benefits Servicing Service Plans Booking a Ford in for a major service: What to expect

Booking a Ford in for a major service: What to expect


A major car service typically covers everything included in a full vehicle service, plus other maintenance items not covered in routine servicing. For example, spark plugs and fuel filters are replaced at this point, or the engine is tuned. This guide will give you a breakdown of what you can expect during your Ford major service session.

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Work out how much your service will cost based upon a number of factors.

Find out whether you need a dedicated service for your Ford vehicle.

Discover what you will receive when you arrive for your service.

What do mechanics often fix at a service?

Find out when you should book in for your next major service.

Here’s what TC Harrison will provide at your servicing appointment.

We answer some popular questions concerning major Ford servicing

How much does it cost to have a major Ford service?

There are a lot of factors at play that determine how much your service costs. These factors include:

The car's age: The older your car is, the more likely it is to require significant repair work. Older vehicles can take advantage of the Ford Essential Service (Ford Motorcraft), a service specifically designed for older vehicles. You can book your Ford essential service here.

The condition of the car: If you take great care of your vehicle and get any issues identified early on, you will generally be able to avoid any major repair costs.

How major the service is: If you've been in an accident and your vehicle needs some major repairs, this will increase the cost of having a major service.

What parts require replacing (if any): If you require new parts for your vehicle, this can drive up costs further.

Do I have to get my Ford serviced at a Ford dealership?

While you don't have to get your Ford serviced at a Ford dealership, it is recommended.

First of all, only a Ford dealership guarantees to use genuine Ford parts. Original Ford quality parts from the manufacturer are designed specifically for your vehicle and can help prevent breakdowns and improve performance.

Second, the mechanics at Ford dealerships are specifically trained to service Ford vehicles. So, you can trust that your car is in good hands with them.

Finally, a Ford dealership will protect your warranty if something goes wrong with the service or parts later. You won't have to pay for the mistake yourself.

What might be included in a major service?

During these scheduled car servicing appointments, most of the work done involves changing fluids and filters such as the engine oil and filter, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid.

Other repairs that might happen during a Ford scheduled service include tire rotation and balancing, belt replacement, checking and adjusting tire pressure, and brake inspection.

Common Ford car part repairs

  • Repairing a faulty starter motor: A faulty starter motor can stall your vehicle abruptly while you're driving. This can cause damage to your car or injure you and other drivers if you were in motion and unable to stop properly.

  • Fixing a leaking Ford radiator: If your cooling system has been compromised by a leak somewhere in the radiator, your engine's temperature may rise higher than it normally does when you're driving. This could lead to severe engine damage if not properly addressed by a mechanic.

  • Fixing a damaged Ford fuel pump: A damaged fuel pump can cause several issues with your car's ability to start and run smoothly. It can cause your car's engine to quiver or shake, or it may stall out entirely. You may also notice that your car is taking longer than usual to accelerate, especially when attempting to reach higher speeds.

  • Replacing a broken muffler: A broken muffler makes significantly more noise than one working correctly, and not just while you're driving. Make sure to get this looked at if you notice loud and frequent noises coming from underneath your car when parked and turned off.

How often should you have a major service?

Experts recommend having a service every 10,000 miles or once a year - whichever comes first. If you drive more than 10,000 miles per year, it may be worth getting a minor check-up (or interim) Ford service at one of the points between your major annual services.

What to expect from a major service at TC Harrison

Firstly, Ford-trained professionals will inspect your car using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, to help them detect any issues.

Secondly, they will only use official Ford parts on your vehicle. This means you can rest assured knowing that everything they put in your car is specifically designed to work with it.

Thirdly, they offer several different service plans at varying price points, so there's something for you no matter what your budget is.

An up-front payment of £15 gets you an extended service plan, and just £20 gets you an annual plan. Extended service plans include 18 monthly payments, while annual plans include 24 monthly payments. The total payable for either plan is £270 and £480 respectively. If you pay cash, they slash the prices down to a flat rate of £243 for the extended service or £432 for the annual plan.

At your service, the experts can perform an oil change and replace the filter, test the car battery, check your tyres, lights, exhausts, braking, and steering, as well as a range of different, necessary checks.

You can find out more about our servicing provisions here.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Ford maintenance plan cost?

The cost of your Ford maintenance plan depends on the type of model you have and the plan you select. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to reach out to your local dealer for car service pricing.

What is meant by a major service?

By "major service," we mean any maintenance or repairs recommended by your car's manufacturer, based on either a yearly interval or the number of miles driven.

What are some common Ford car repair costs?

There are a lot of factors that affect Ford repair costs. They include how many hours of labour it will take, parts availability and whether the parts being used are new or reconditioned. The best way to get accurate Ford repair costs is to contact your local Ford dealership and ask a service adviser for an estimate.

What are the most common major car repairs for a Ford car?

Some of the most common issues we see are major oil leaks, transmission roll pins, power steering problems, strange noises coming from the exhaust, spark plugs that aren't working properly, and engine issues.

Why is regular servicing important?

Regular Ford servicing is essential because if you don't have your vehicle serviced regularly, it could break down unexpectedly or fail to run at peak efficiency. This could cause you to incur extra costs because you might need to replace parts more often or use more fuel. Book your Ford service online today at TC Harrison.