How Often Does A Car Need A Service?

Why car maintenance should never be skipped!

One of the most important parts of vehicle maintenance is car servicing. It keeps your car operating smoothly, uses less gas, lasts longer, and helps you avoid expensive repairs. But how often does a car need a service? Well, the answer varies based on the age, driving condition, and mileage of your car, and what the manufacturer says.

Today, I am going to discuss how often car maintenance is required. Alongside, you will get to know service intervals for small, medium, and large cars in the UK, the types of car servicing available, warning signs that your vehicle may need attention, and where to find car servicing near you.

So, let’s get your car running like new, year after year!

How Often Does a Car Need a Service? A Complete Guide for UK Drivers

Why should I service my car? I think this question has already popped up in your mind before knowing how often a car should be serviced.

Well, it’s a must to know the benefits of something we are about to do, especially when you have to spend a good chunk of your wallet. That’s why I am going to enlighten you with the benefits of servicing a car.

Benefits of a Regular Car Servicing

You should service your car frequently for a number of reasons:

Ensure safety: If you don’t follow service schedules, any problems with your car may go unnoticed and worsen over time. Regular maintenance lets you find and fix any issues, which makes your vehicle as safe as possible when you’re driving.

Reduced running costs: Servicing your car regularly, such as changing the fluids and filters often, will help it perform better and avoid major engine problems. It also lowers the chances of any expensive repairs that come up out of the blue.

Avoid breakdown: If you don’t get your car serviced regularly, it could have a lot of problems that you don’t know about until it breaks down. Regular services will provide you with peace of mind that everything is working right and lower the chance of breaking down.

Increase the resale value: A full-service history for your vehicle will show any prospective buyers that it has been well-maintained, which will raise its resale value. If a car doesn’t have a service history, potential buyers won’t have any proof that it has been taken care of, which will almost certainly lower the price they are willing to pay.

Extended Lifespan: It makes sense that taking care of your car will make it last longer and be more useful. Changing filters and fluids on a regular basis and checking important parts should help your vehicle last longer and function better.

Better fuel efficiency: Making sure that the fluids of your car are full, the brakes are operating properly, and all of the important parts are in good shape will help it use less fuel. Combine smooth braking and acceleration with that, and you are well on your way to saving money on fuel.

Keep your warranty safe: As per the manufacturer’s instructions, even a new car needs to be serviced once a year to keep the warranty valid. The warranty might not be valid if you don’t get frequent mechanical checks.

Now that you are informed enough about why regular car servicing matters, let’s get into the core part.

How Often Should I Service My Car?

All cars should be serviced on a regular basis. Every 12,000 miles or so, you should take your vehicle to your local dealer or an independent garage for maintenance. Though the service interval may vary by manufacturer; most car manufacturers recommend servicing your vehicle every 12 months or every 12,000 miles.

The best way to know when to service your car is to look at the manufacturer’s service schedules in your car’s handbook.

The type of service your auto needs will depend on its age, mileage, and the service history of the previous year. These services can be small or major.

For instance, high-mileage drivers (drivers who travel a lot of miles), such as motorway commuters, may need intermediate services more often.

Even if you are a low-mileage driver, you should still follow your annual service schedule because fluids and parts wear out over time.

Types of Car Services and Recommended Frequency

In general, you will find three different kinds of car services in the UK, which are tailored to various needs and schedules.

1. Interim Car Service

Every six months or ~6,000 miles

It is the most basic kind of car maintenance. If you drive more than 2,000 miles a month and make frequent short trips, you should go for an interim service every six months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first.

What is Included in an Interim Service?

This service includes important checks and replacements that will keep your vehicle running well between full services.

• Changing the oil and oil filter
• Checking that the brakes, steering, and clutch work
• Engine and brake fluids top-up
• An inspection of the lights, tires, and windshield wipers
• Looking for leaks
• An overall visual inspection of the car

2. Full Car Service

Every 12 months or ~12,000 miles

It’s a complete check-up that you should do once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. A full service on car includes more inspections and maintenance tasks than an interim service, which keeps your vehicle in the best possible shape.

What is Included in a Full Service?

• Air filter replacement
• Fuel filter or spark plugs replacement
• A close check-up of the brakes, wheel bearings, and shock absorbers
• Complete tests of the electrics
• Checks on the AC
• Radiator and coolant hose inspections

3. Major Car Service

Every 24 months or ~24,000 miles

This is the most comprehensive car service and should be done every two years or 24,000 miles. It includes all the checks of a full service, plus extra replacements and inspections for parts that need less frequent attention.

What is Included in a Major Service?

• Interim service
• Full service
• Spark plug or Brake fluid replacement
• Full charge and load test of the battery
• Coolant or antifreeze check-up and replacement
• Inspect the timing belt or auxiliary belt for wear
• Transmission fluid check and replacement (especially for automatic cars)
• Full diagnostic scan
• Road test (often included)

Now I will talk about another car service that is required if you own a vehicle with higher specs than most mainstream cars.

4. Manufacturer Service

Service intervals specified by the car manufacturer

The manufacturer’s service schedule is set out by the manufacturer to ensure that the vehicle is maintained according to its recommended operating parameters. You will need to drive your car to a dealership or garage that is owned or run by the manufacturer. They provide all the work and parts, and do the servicing with their qualified technicians.

Interim Service Vs Major Service Vs Full Service at a Glance

Service Type	Service Coverage	Recommended time interval
Interim Service	Oil & filter, fluid top-ups, tyres, lights, battery, brakes, steering, windshield checks	Every 6 months or ~6,000 miles
Full Service	Interim + air/pollen filters, deeper brake/suspension checks, radiator and coolant checks	Every 12 months or ~12,000 miles
Major Service	Interim + Full + spark plugs, fuel/brake fluid, full diagnostics	Every 24 months or ~24,000 miles

Do You Need to Service Your Car Every Year?

How often do cars need servicing? As you already know by this time, you should take your car in for servicing once a year or every 8,000 to 12,000 miles. This allows for any wear and tear to be identified and addressed before it worsens. Sometimes, the driver doesn’t notice these minor issues. Therefore, a mechanic has to find them and fix them for you.

Now, suppose your car is almost new. Then you must be wondering if it also needs to be serviced.

Should You Service a New Car?

Yes. You need to follow the service intervals that come with your brand-new car to keep the warranty valid and avoid mechanical issues.

Most manufacturers offer free initial service within 12 months or after 10,000 miles.

Now, I will mention some signs that will help you understand when to service your car.

When Do I Need a Service on My Car? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Even if your car isn’t due for a scheduled service, you should book in if you notice:

• Dashboard warning lights
• Noise from the engine or reduced performance
• Strange odours or smoke
• Problems with braking
• Poor fuel efficiency
• Rough idling or slow acceleration
• Hard starting
• Pulling or vibrations while driving

So, these are the signs your car needs a service as soon as possible.

Do Electric Vehicles (EVs) Need Regular Servicing?

As electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars have fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel ones, they don’t need oil changes, timing belts, or exhausts. However, they still need to be serviced often to stay safe and efficient. Important parts, including brakes, especially if they have regenerative braking systems, suspensions, batteries, cabin filters, tyres, and steering, all need an inspection.

Besides, you also need to keep your EV up to date with software upgrades and system diagnostics. If you skip maintenance, it may result in reduced performance, missed safety issues, and even affect your battery warranty. So, frequent servicing is important for electric and hybrid cars too, but in a different way.

For service frequency, you need to follow your EV manufacturer’s digital service schedule, as service intervals vary by brand. For example, Tesla recommends servicing every 2 years.

What Should You Bring to a Car Service?

You will need three things before a mechanic can work on your car.

First, make sure you have the keys or locking nuts for your alloy wheels. The mechanic needs these to take off the wheel. Without these, the technician can’t check on the state of your steering or suspension systems.

Get rid of all the junk in your car, especially from the boot. You should examine your spare tire if you have one. It also helps clear out the vehicle of anything that can make things harder for the technician.

Remember your service book, as all information relating to the vehicle is recorded in this log. Before you book a service, check if it’s in your glove box. The mechanic will need to know when the car was serviced last and what he should do now.

When is my Car Service Due?

When was my car last serviced? If you can’t recall it, you might be wondering when the next one is due. It’s easy to figure out by looking at your car’s service history. Your vehicle should have a service book that shows its service history.

However, if your car is second-hand or the book is lost somehow, then you may not have access to this. In this case, you can get it from your service centre as they keep records of the service history.

But if you don’t know where the car was serviced last time, just call your nearest ATS centre and give them your car’s registration number, approximate mileage, and how long you have owned the car. The centre should be able to utilise this information to determine when your next service is due.

DIY Car Checks Between Services

You can run some simple maintenance checks at home on a frequent basis to keep your car in good shape between professional services.

Engine oil level: This is an easy procedure that only needs a rag.

Car light bulbs, such as headlights, rear lights, brakes, and all the indicators.

Coolant level: You can plainly see the reservoir when the hood is up.

Windscreen washer: Top up so you can see clearly.

Tyre pressure and tread: Every two weeks, check the spare and the tires. Check for cuts and uneven wear, and ensure the tread is within the legal limit.

Also, remember to check the tyre pressure as well. You will find the right pressure in your vehicle’s handbook, or it may be printed on a label inside one of the door seals or the fuel flap. If you don’t have a gauge and foot pump, your local service station should have an air line.

Oh, I have not yet informed you of the price for car services. So, let’s have an idea about that without any further ado.

How Much Does a Car Service Cost in the UK?

The average car service cost in the UK will change, depending on the types of service you are taking, the size of your car, the car make and model, the location, and the service provider.

However, in general, you can expect to pay anywhere from £125 for a basic service, whereas the costs will potentially reach up to £400+ for extensive services on larger vehicles.

Car Service Cost UK Based on Service Types and Size

 

Size of the Car	Interim Service Cost	Full Service Cost	Major Service Cost
Small	£75–£125	£150–£210	£210–£300
Medium	£90–£180	£170–£280	£250–£400
Large	£110–£210	£170–£400	£300–£500+

Do I Need a Car Service If I Have Done an MOT?

An MOT is a legal requirement, whereas a car service is not. Doing an MOT doesn’t mean that all parts of your car have been checked, because they are two different tests.

An MOT certificate shows that your car meets the minimum road safety and environmental criteria set by law. But an MOT doesn’t examine the clutch, which might cause problems for you shortly after. So, getting a certificate doesn’t guarantee that your car will stay roadworthy for as long as the certificate is valid, and it doesn’t mean that your vehicle doesn’t need regular maintenance.

If you do both, I mean the service and the MOT at the same time, it will help you avoid future problems and expensive bills.

How to Find a Trusted Garage for Car Servicing Near You?

There are a lot of choices when you search for “car servicing near me,” but how do you pick one?

I suggest you check for:

• Certified garages
• Reviews from verified customers
• Clear pricing
• Digital service records

You can also utilise online car servicing platforms. A lot of local garages now offer mobile car servicing, which means the mechanic will come to your door.

Conclusion

So, how often does a car need a service? You know the answer. Right?

Lastly, I can say that you need to know when to service your car to extend its life, keep it safe, and ensure top performance. Whether it’s every 6 months or 12,000 miles, always follow the manufacturer’s advice and don’t ignore the warning signs.

FAQ:

What Happens If You Skip a Car Service?

If you fail to service your car regularly, it may lead to increased fuel consumption, reduced engine performance, brake and suspension wear, decreased resale value, increased risk of breakdowns, and voiding your warranty.

Is it OK to service a car once a year?

Yes, an annual full service is typically sufficient for most cars unless you are a high-mileage driver or notice performance issues.

What is the difference between full and major service?

A full service offers general maintenance checks, whereas a major service covers everything in a full service, plus extras like spark plugs and brake fluid replacement.

When should you service your car if it’s not used much?

Once a year is ideal. Oil, fluids, and rubber components degrade over time, even when the car is not frequently used.