Can I get my car serviced during the third coronavirus lockdown?

The third England-wide Covid-19 lockdown came into effect on 5 January 2021, alongside similar measures in Scotland and much of Europe. Although many non-essential businesses have been told to close again, car service departments and garages are allowed to remain open during the lockdown, so you should be able to get your car serviced. 

Many garages are already busier than usual because they are still working their way through the backlog of vehicles that they couldn't service or MOT for six months during this year's first lockdown, so it's worth contacting your local garage well in advance of your car's service becoming due, however. 

Like many other businesses, garages introduced Covid-safe ways of operating in 2020, such as no-contact handovers and vehicles being wiped down before and after they have been worked on, and they will continue to operate according to these guidelines. 

During the UK's first lockdown the Government provided a six-month extension for any cars with MOTs due from 30 March, so that people didn't have to worry about driving without an MOT in the short term. However, with garages remaining open during the second and third lockdowns, we don't expect there to be another MOT extension. 

Although car showrooms will be closed during the lockdown, online sales and 'click and collect' car buying services that were set up in 2020 will continue, so if you have a car on order there shouldn't be a delay in you being able to take delivery of it. 

As was the case with previous lockdowns, if you are concerned about taking your car to a garage for a service, we would advise you to discuss this with staff in advance and agree the protocols for how you will interact with them. 

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Read more: All the latest coronavirus advice for drivers >>