How often should you service a car?

Newer cars may be more reliable than older models, but they still need regular servicing to stay safe and avoid costly repairs. How often you service your car depends on the type of service and how many miles you drive.

In this guide, we explain how often you should service your car and the signs to look out for between services.

EASY AS HACK

Save a costly repair bill with regular car servicing, these are some of the warning signs:

• Look out for dashboard warning lights
• Listen for new noises or squeaks
• Check for leaks under the car
• Notice any loss of power or sluggish performance
• Pay attention to smoke from the exhaust
• Spot inconsistent or unusual driving behaviour
  
  

different types of car service

When you take your petrol or diesel car into a garage, it usually provides three types of car service as part of your regular maintenance schedule.^[1]

1. interim services

An interim car service is a mid-level check-up recommended every 6 months or 6,000 miles, ideal for high-mileage drivers. At an interim service, you can expect the garage to change the oil, fit a new oil filter and go through a list of relevant checks according to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. They’ll also check items that could cause safety issues if they’re not maintained, such as the tyre pressure, clutch and brake fluid, and wheel nut torque. ^[2]

2. full service

As the name suggests, a full service is the most complete available. The full service will include engine oil, oil, and air filter changes in addition to the checks carried out in the interim service. Your qualified mechanic will also look for wear and tear in safety systems and mechanical parts that need replacing before they cause a problem.^[1]

3. manufacturer service

A manufacturer service follows the exact schedule set by your cars manufacturer. A garage or franchised dealership that the manufacturer owns or manages must carry out the service.^[1]

The garage will use approved parts and high spec or newer cars often need this type of service to stay within warranty.^[3]

Read more: What’s a car service

how often should you service a car?

Interim service every 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first, and at six month intervals after that.^[1]

Full service your car will need an annual service at 12 months or 12,000 miles. Like the interim service, it’s whichever comes first. ^[2]

Manufacturer service follows the manufacturer’s service schedule.

Read our FAQs for information on servicing hybrid and electric vehicles.

what should you bring to a car service?

You’ll need to bring your service book to a car service. It tells the garage or dealership when you last had a service done. The garage will update the book once they have completed your car’s service. ^[1]

Another recommendation is to take your alloy wheel keys or locking nuts so the mechanic can remove the wheels and check your suspension and steering.^[1]

how do you know if your car needs servicing

Aside from the timeframes given above, here are the signs to look out for that say your car needs a service: ^[4]

• Dashboard warning lights - unless you’re driving an old car, you’ll get a reminder on your dashboard telling you a service is due
• Noises - such as vibrations, shudders, and squeaks. These may indicate worn tyres or loose bearings, a worn belt, loss of steering fluid, the need for new brake pads, etc
• Leaks­ - of oil or transmission fluid (showing a potential gearbox issue)
• Smoke - clouds of smoke are another sign that you shouldn’t ignore as it could mean a radiator or engine issue, such as an oil blockage
• Loss of power ­- caused by several possibilities, including the car’s age, wrong tyre pressures or a jammed brake pad
• Inconsistent performance - if the doesn’t feel as if it’s performing as usual, such as overly sensitive brakes, get it checked for safety (whether you are due a service or not)

how to maintain your car between services

A few simple, regular checks can help you maintain your car between services. You should check the following:

• Coolant - keep it topped up as your car needs this mixture of antifreeze and water all year round
• Oil levels - remove the dipstick to check the oil. It should be between the minimum and maximum levels. Too much or too little can damage the engine
• Screen wash levels - having zero screen wash in the bottle is an offence, so keep an eye on screen wash levels
• Lightbulbs - check that all the car lights are working, including rear brake lights and fog lights
• Tyre condition - tyres with too high or too low pressures affect your car’s performance, so check that they’re correct. You’ll also need to ensure they have at least a 1.6mm tread depth.

Head to our 15 simple and essential car maintenance tips.

do you legally have to get your car serviced?

You’re not legally required to have your car serviced ^[2] but skipping services can affect safety, performance and long, term running costs.

benefits of servicing your car

• Safety - the most obvious benefit of regular car services and maintenance is the peace of mind it brings that it’s safe to drive ^[2]
• Extend your car’s lifespan - if you don’t change things like the oil and filters, it can shorten the engine’s life
• Prevent large repair costs - servicing will help you avoid costly repair bills ^[1]
• Save fuel - a regular service will enhance the car’s fuel efficiency, so it costs less overall ^[1]
• Avoid breakdowns - servicing your car ensures a mechanic fixes issues before a breakdown happens ^[2]
• Improve resale potential - you may find it challenging to sell without a regular servicing record ^[2]

Read about the mistakes that can shorten your vehicle’s lifespan.

can i skip a service on my car?

You can skip a service, but it isn’t advisable. Missing services can reduce safety, increase repair costs and shorten your cars lifespan.

what happens if your car is overdue for a service?

If your car is overdue for a service, it may be more likely to develop faults, including:

• Shortened lifespan
• Increased risk of breakdowns
• Increased repair costs
• Reduced resale value
  
  

is an mot the same as a service?

No, an MOT differs from a service because you are legally required to have an MOT every 12 months if your car is aged three years and over, while a service is not.^[2]The MOT checks if your car is safe to drive, while a service focuses on maintenance and general condition.

how often should i service a diesEl car?

• The same rules apply to diesel cars as petrol cars
• A full service is required every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first
  
  

do you need to service an electric or hybrid car?

Electric and hybrid cars also need regular servicing. They have fewer moving parts, but items like brakes, steering joints, bulbs and filters still need checking. Follow your manufacturer’s recommended schedule ^[5], as the intervals may differ^.[6]

For example, Volkswagen recommends an inspection service for its e, UP and e, Golf every 20,000 miles or 2 years, followed by 20,000 miles or a year, whichever comes first. ^[7]

For Tesla, you need to check your manual for maintenance recommendations. ^[8]
The Nissan Leaf’s recommended service interval is every 18,000 miles or every 2 years.^[9]