Most car owners know they should get their car serviced but knowing when is a different story. Life gets busy, the reminder sticker fades, and before you know it, six months have slipped by since the last appointment. If you have been wondering whether your car is overdue for a logbook service, the honest answer is: it probably is. The good news is that spotting the signs early can save a lot of money in repairs down the track. Experienced mechanics in Preston see this every week, cars that have gone too long between services and are starting to show it. Here is what to look out for.
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You Can’t Remember When You Last Had It Done
This one sounds obvious, but it is the most common sign of all.
If you genuinely cannot recall the last time your car had a logbook service, that is your answer right there. Most manufacturers recommend a service every 12 months or every 10,000 to 15,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Some newer models stretch to 15,000 kilometres, but that does not mean the 12-month rule goes out the window.
Time matters just as much as distance. Even if you have only done 8,000 kilometres in the past year, engine oil still degrades, brake fluid still absorbs moisture, and filters still collect dust and debris. A car that sits in the driveway most of the week still needs its annual service.
Check your logbook or the sticker on your windscreen. If the date has passed or the kilometres have clicked over, it is time to book in.
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Your Dashboard Warning Lights Are On
Modern cars are designed to tell you when something needs attention — and a service light is one of the clearest signals your car can give you.
The most common one is the oil service reminder, which appears as a spanner icon or an oil can on your dashboard. Some cars display a message like “Service Due” or count down the remaining kilometres. If that light is on and you have been ignoring it, your engine oil is likely overdue for a change.
Do not make the mistake of thinking a warning light only matters if the car is running rough. Many service-related lights come on before any noticeable problem — they are there precisely to catch things early. Ignoring them long enough is how a $150 service turns into a $1,500 repair.
If any warning light is on, get it checked before it leads to something more serious.
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Your Car Feels or Sounds Different
Your car talks to you — you just need to know how to listen.
Some of the most telling signs of an overdue service are ones you can feel or hear while driving. These include:
- A rough or lumpy idle when sitting at traffic lights
- Sluggish acceleration that was not there before
- A faint burning smell, particularly after the engine has warmed up
- Squealing or grinding noises when you brake
- A rattling or tapping sound from the engine on start-up
None of these are things to drive around with and hope they go away. A tapping sound from the engine, for example, often points to low or degraded engine oil — something a logbook service would catch immediately.
If your car is behaving differently to how it was six months ago, trust your gut. Get it looked at.
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Your Service History Has Gaps
When was the last time you opened your car’s logbook and actually looked at the service stamps?
A complete and consistent service history is one of the most valuable things you can maintain as a car owner. It protects your new car warranty, gives you leverage when selling the car, and shows potential buyers the vehicle has been properly looked after.
Gaps in the logbook, missing stamps, inconsistent intervals, or services that were done but never recorded — all raise red flags. If you are planning to sell your car in the next year or two, an incomplete logbook can directly affect the price you get for it.
Staying up to date with your logbook service in Preston keeps your history clean and your car’s value where it should be.
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Your Oil Looks Dark or Your Fluids Are Low
Here is a quick check you can do right now without any tools.
Pop the bonnet and pull out the engine oil dipstick. Clean it, dip it again, and hold it up to the light. Fresh engine oil is an amber or light brown colour. Oil that has gone past its useful life turns dark brown or black and may look thick or gritty. If yours looks like that, it needed changing a while ago.
While you are under the bonnet, take a look at the coolant reservoir, brake fluid, and windscreen washer fluid. Low coolant or brake fluid levels are not just a minor inconvenience — they can point to a leak or a deeper issue that a mechanic needs to see.
These checks take two minutes and can tell you a lot about whether your car has been getting the attention it needs.
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You Are About to Sell Your Car or Need a Safety Certificate
If you are planning to sell your vehicle or transfer registration in Victoria, you will need a roadworthy certificate in Preston before the sale can go through legally. A roadworthy inspection covers brakes, tyres, lights, steering, suspension and more — the same safety-critical components checked during a logbook service.
Getting a logbook service done before your RWC inspection is a smart move. It means minor issues like worn brake pads, low fluid levels, and a failing battery get picked up and sorted out beforehand, rather than showing up as defects on your certificate.
Many of our customers choose to combine both in a single visit. It saves time, keeps costs down, and means your car leaves in the best possible shape.
If any of the signs above sound familiar, do not put it off any longer. At Albert ST Automotive, our qualified mechanics have been looking after cars across Melbourne’s north for over 15 years. We carry out logbook servicing to manufacturer specifications, stamp your logbook, and let you know about anything that needs attention without any pressure or surprises.
We service customers from Preston and surrounding suburbs, including Bundoora, Reservoir, Northcote, Thornbury, Coburg, Coburg North, Heidelberg, and Heidelberg West. Book your logbook service today — call us on 03 9470 1052.