Hybrid car servicing explained

By Tia Harrison-North

Last updated: 3 October 2025

A hybrid car service should definitely be on your car maintenance calendar. Car servicing helps keep your car in the best possible condition, and it’s important to service your hybrid car as well.

Hybrid vehicles have extra tech that allows them to use a battery-powered motor to assist your internal combustion engine (ICE ) in moving your car. This means there are extra elements that need upkeeping.

Choosing a hybrid car service every 12,000 miles or 12 months is the best way to keep up with upkeep. But how is it different to an ICE service? We explain below.

What is hybrid car servicing?

A car service usually includes checks of areas prone to wear and tear, such as tyres and brakes. You’ll also get a top-up of fluids and oils, depending on the type of service you choose.

You'll typically service any car at the 12,000-mile or 12-month mark for a full/standard service, or major service at the 24,000-mile or 24-month mark.

There are also options for interim services that are typically carried out every 6,000 miles or 6 months, to keep things running smoothly in between the big services.

Here at cinch, you can also book in for a standalone oil and filter change to freshen things up. We service all cars, even if they weren’t bought from us.

As hybrid cars have extra mechanisms, these will also be included in the servicing checks. A professional will know what they’re looking for and ensure everything is inspected.

What’s included in a hybrid car service?

A standard service will usually include filter changes, fluid and oil top ups and essential health checks. It may also include:

• A battery health check to see if it’s operating properly

• Checks to the inverter coolant system (the setup that converts battery power into power that can run the motor)

• Checks to the regenerative braking system (this is the system that regenerates energy as you brake)

• Charging port checks to spot any issues or damage to where you charge the car (on a plug-in hybrid)

Why hybrids need specialist attention

Hybrid cars need specialist attention because they have different mechanics to your standard ICE vehicle.

These parts must be well-maintained to keep the hybrid part of your car operating at its best. It will also make sure any small issues are spotted before they become something major.

How often should you service a hybrid car?

It’s recommended you service a car at the following intervals:

• 6,000 miles or six months – interim service for minor maintenance

• 12,000 miles or 12 months – standard service for the typical service most people are familiar with

• 24,000 miles or 24 months – major/full service for in-depth maintenance and upkeep

Manufacturers have their own servicing interval recommendations, ranging from 10,000 miles to 12,000 miles for a standard service.

Many modern cars will also notify you when a service is due on the dashboard, and you might also get a text or email reminder from your garage.

Hybrid cars should stick to this schedule, getting their first ever service at the 12,000-mile or 12-month mark and then upkeeping at intervals after that.

How much does a hybrid car service cost?

The cost of a hybrid car service will depend on the type of service and where you’re getting the servicing done.

A cinch service will cost £159.95 for a standard service or £214.95 for a full service. The cost for an electric car service is the same. We also offer oil and filter changes for £129.95.

Some providers charge more for hybrid car servicing because of the extra checks.

Factors that affect hybrid servicing costs

You might find that hybrid car servicing can be more expensive, as it includes some extra health checks.

Our hybrid car services cost the same as ICE models, but this might not be the case everywhere you go, and some garages might charge more.

Can you service a hybrid car yourself?

There are some elements of servicing a car that you can do yourself. While you won't get a service stamp, you can still do things like changing your oil and air filters at home.

It’s harder to service a hybrid car yourself, unless you’re a trained mechanic. You’ll need knowledge on regenerative braking systems and other hybrid mechanics. Otherwise, you won’t be able to carry out full health checks.

Safety risks with high-voltage systems

There’s also the safety risk of working on a high-voltage battery and other hybrid car systems to consider - although the Government’s website states the risk of electric shock from an electric or hybrid vehicle is ‘extremely low’. There are also safety systems in place to keep you protected.

However, there are some safety considerations you should be aware of:

• Ensure the car is parked safely and turned off when carrying out maintenance work

• Be cautious of any loose or exposed wires. Take the car to a professional if you spot any

• Be extra careful if you have a pacemaker fitted and consult your doctor beforehand

• Assume all battery components are energised and treat them with caution

• Do not dismantle any high-voltage systems

• Use safety clothing like high-voltage rubber gloves and insulated boots

• If in doubt, take it to an expert (like the experts at our cinch and Marshall Stores)

Basic checks you can do at home

You can do some basic checks on your hybrid car at home, similar to the checks you can do on fully fuel-powered cars.

These include:

• Tyres – check the tread on your tyres using a specific tool or the edge of a 20p coin. The main tread groove should cover the outer ridge of the coin. If the outer band is visible, your tread is too low

• Oil levels – use the dipstick in your engine bay or a readout on your dash to check your oil level regularly, especially before a long trip

• Coolant – it's important to check your coolant as well (only when the engine is cold) to ensure your cooling system is running optimally

• Lights – when parked and safe, turn on your car’s lights and take a look to ensure they’re all in full working order. You can also get someone to check if your brake lights are working when you’re parked up and have your handbrake on

Tips for reducing hybrid servicing costs

While servicing is an important part of maintaining a hybrid car, it’s another added cost of car ownership.

There are a few things you can consider to keep service costs low.

Service plans and warranties

You might be able to get some car maintenance covered by your warranty. Many non-wear and tear related issues are covered under manufacturer warranty, and you’ll often get a free additional warranty when buying a used car.

You can also get car servicing plans that cover a variety of different things. The most common setup is a monthly payment plan that covers you for a standard service, an interim service and your MOTs. As this spreads the cost into monthly bills, you’ll skip the lump sum and might get some discount.

Choosing the right garage

Finding the right garage can help keep servicing costs low.

Don’t choose a garage just because it’s cheap, but look for one that’s trustworthy, will get your permission before carrying out extra work, and has good reviews.

Stay on top of servicing

The main way to save money on servicing is to get in a good routine with actually getting those services done.

Each service will get your car straightened out and spot any issues that you can quickly sort. If you leave it too long, issues could pile up and it’ll be more expensive to fix.

Book servicing at cinch

Sorting your hybrid car service for the first time can feel daunting if you’re new to the world of battery-powered vehicles.

Hybrid cars are becoming more and more common, so you can typically just book in for a standard car service and the technicians will handle the rest.

You can book a hybrid car service at a cinch or Marshall Store, and we offer MOTs as well.

Read more about car servicing:

• Save money on car servicing

• Why is car servicing important?