Quick answer
Most cars need servicing annually or by mileage, but performance cars, modified cars and hard-used vehicles may benefit from more frequent checks.
Common symptoms and causes vary by vehicle, but the safest next step is to get the fault checked before continuing to drive if the car is in limp mode, smoking heavily, overheating, losing power badly or showing repeated warning messages.
- Send the registration and a photo of the warning light if possible.
- Explain when the issue happens and whether the car drives normally.
- Do not rely on clearing fault codes without finding the cause.
- Book diagnostics if the warning returns or the car feels different.
