What does a car service include

9 June 2026

Knowing what a car service includes helps you catch small issues before they become bigger problems.

This guide explains what a full car service covers and how it differs from an interim or major service, so you don’t overspend or under-maintain your vehicle.

EASY AS HACK

You can choose from 3 different services on a car: an interim, a full or a major service.

At a glance

You need these documents to tax your car:

V5C (logbook)
MOT certificate
Proof of insurance
Valid payment method

what is a car service?

A car service is a routine health check for your vehicle – a mechanic will inspect it for signs of wear and tear to ensure it’s safe, roadworthy and running efficiently.

It’s worth remembering that a car service is not an MOT, which is a legal annual inspection required to keep your vehicle on the road. However, you can choose to do both at the same time, which can sometimes save money.¹

Understand what a car service is and why you need one.

What are the different types of car service?

Make sure you know the different types of car services before booking one. They include:

Interim service – experts often recommend this every 6 months or 6,000 miles to catch developing faults, giving you time to address them.
Full service – typically offered every 12 months or 12,000 miles – includes around 50 additional checks compared to the interim service.
Major service – the most comprehensive service, offered by some garages every 24 months or 24,000 miles.

Learn more about the different types of car service.

What is included in a car service?

It will depend on your garage, your car’s age, and the type of service, but a car service typically includes:

Filter replacements
Car fluid levels
Vehicle interior checks
Vehicle exterior checks
Vehicle engine checks
Undercarriage checks

An interim car service covers the basics, such as oil changes, and any components that could be unsafe if not maintained.

The full car service includes everything in an interim service, plus more than 50 additional checks, such as replacing the air filter.²

A major car service includes everything in the full service, as well as a deeper inspection of any item that has aged, worn or degraded. ³

Here’s a detailed list of what’s included in an interim, full and major service.

Filter replacements⁴

	Interim service	Full service	Major service²
Oil filter (changed alongside the oil)
Air filter
Cabin (pollen) filter
External fuel filter (diesel cars)

Your vehicle manufacturer’s handbook will also tell you when to change each filter.⁵

Car fluids

	Interim service	Full service	Major service
Engine oil change (typically alongside the oil filter)
Brake fluid levels check
Coolant level top-up
Power steering fluid check		⁶	³
Screen wash/wiper fluid
Clutch fluid check and top-up⁷

Many cars now share a clutch and brake reservoir,⁸ so your garage may not perform a separate clutch fluid check.

Vehicle interior²

	Interim service	Full service	Major service²
Brake	Visual check	Full strip-down	Full strip-down
Clutch
Steering
Steering alignment⁹
Gearbox
Horn
Mirrors			³
Cooling system
Dashboard warning lights
Seatbelts³
Interior lights
Airbag checks¹⁰

If an airbag warning light illuminates, you must visit the garage, even if your car is not due for a service.¹¹

Vehicle exterior³

	Interim service	Full service	Major service
Visual check⁷
Wheels and trims⁷
Tyre condition and pressure
Exhaust
External locks and handles⁷
Exterior lights
Windscreen⁷
Wipers
Number plate condition
Bonnet catch

Vehicle engine⁷

	Interim service	Full service	Major service
Sump plug seal	_{Potential replacement}	_{Potential replacement}	_{Potential replacement}
Check for oil leaks
Timing belt replacement
Radiator condition
Coolant hoses
Auxiliary drive belts
Spark plugs
Antifreeze check
Fuel filter
Testing the car’s battery condition
Alternator

Vehicle undercarriage⁷

	Interim service	Full service	Major service
Fuel lines
Clutch
Drive shaft gaitors
Transfer box and differential
Brake callipers
Foot brake shoes
Wheel cylinders
Hydraulic system (visual check)
Brake discs
Shock absorbers
Suspension checks		_{Greasing, if applicable}	_{Greasing, if applicable}

How often do you need a car service?

This depends on several factors, including the car’s age, make and model, how you use it, and the number of miles you drive annually.

Most manufacturers and garages recommend servicing at least once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Many modern cars have a service indicator that reminds you when your service is due. You can also consult your car’s manual to find out how often the manufacturer recommends servicing.

Dive deeper into how often you should service your car.

Do I need a car service?

A car service is not a legal requirement, unlike the MOT, but it is an important consideration. Here’s why you may benefit from a car service:

Addressing smaller issues can eventually save you money.
It helps your car run more effectively, which could save you money on fuel.
It helps extend your car’s lifespan.
A service can also improve your car’s resale value.⁹

While a car’s service history will not usually affect the cost of your car insurance premium, keeping your car in good working could prevent car accidents.

Find out more information about Ageas car insurance.

FAQs

How much does a car service cost?

The cost of a car service varies between garages and where you are in the country. It also depends on other factors such as the size of your vehicle, the model, and its age.

A car service can cost from £160 to £390, with the average being £275.¹¹ Sometimes you can save money by booking an MOT and service together.¹²

The brief suggested quoting Halfords but then included the Ageas link, which quotes Airtasker. Surely it's better to avoid Halfords and use theAirtasker link? Otherwise there could be two sets of average costs, which may make the Ageas link outdated.