Upgrade content database without Service application upgrade

Hi

I am in a process of upgrading content database but not any of those service applications. Can I provision new SharePoint 2013 services and associate with my upgraded content database? I know User profile services, search services, excel services were extensively used in SP 2010 but its all standard configuration and I believe the new services should support the content database upgrade upgrade in SP 2013, Is this correct? Are their any known/compatibility issues if I do not upgrade service applications?

Many thanks

Shri