How often should you service your car?
Get the details on how often you need to service your car to keep it healthy
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By Tia Harrison-North
Last updated: 26 February 2025
Owning a car is a bit like having a chunky metal child – it comes with lots of responsibility and questions such as ‘How often should I service my car?’
A service is a regular ‘check-up’ on your car that includes an engine oil and filter change and inspections of the other fluids, brakes, tyres and battery.
You can also get interim services (six months/6,000 miles), full services (12 months/12,000 miles) and major services (24 months/24,000 miles) that get more thorough.
Unlike with MOTs, car servicing isn’t a legal requirement in the UK but it’s a very good idea if you want to keep your car in the best condition.
Learn more about how often you should service your car and why it’s important in our guide below.
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Why regular car servicing is important
While you don’t legally have to service your car, it’s strongly recommended. It helps make sure serviceable items (e.g. fluids and filters) are replaced on time and can spot minor issues before they become a big problem, and that’ll save you money in the long run.
Properly filled tyres, happy engine parts and topped-up fluid levels will mean your car is running at its best, and that keeps it efficient. Especially if you need something like a worn spark plug or dirty air filter replacing.
Some manufacturer warranties need you to service the car to keep your cover, so that’s another reason to add it to your yearly to-do list.
A healthy service history also helps to maintain the value of your car if you decide to sell it, so it pays for itself very quickly.
How often should you service a car?
Generally speaking, you should get a full service for your car every 12 months or 12,000 miles – whichever comes first.
You can also get an interim service every six months or 6,000 miles. This is a good shout if you’re doing more than the average amount of driving or really want to keep on top of maintenance.
There’s also often the option of a major service (recommended every 24 months or 24,000 miles) that’ll sort serviceable items you don’t need to change as often.
How often you service your car can also depend on the make and model, as well as the age. For example, some car warranties need regular servicing to stay valid and it’s advised to service premium cars more often.
How often should you service a diesel car?
You should service your diesel car on the same schedule as a petrol-powered model – every 12 months or 12,000 miles. You can also go for an interim service at six months/6,000 miles or a major service at 24 months/24,000 miles if you think you need it.
There are some slight differences in the serviceable items of a diesel compared to a petrol (e.g. diesels have ‘glow plugs’ and petrols have ‘spark plugs’), but the garage will know what needs replacing for your car based on what kind of service you choose.
You can also look up what should be included in each type of service in your car’s owner’s manual if you’d like.
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How to know when your car needs a service
Knowing when your car needs a service is simple, you just need to keep an eye on things.
First, keep an eye on the calendar to see when six, 12 or 24 months have passed (depending on what type of service your car needs next).
And do the same for your odometer and check for 6,000, 12,000 or 24,000 miles clocking over.
Most modern cars also have a service light – it usually looks like a little spanner – that’ll show up when your next service is due.
Also, many people decide to get their car serviced when it goes in for an MOT to save themselves an extra trip to the garage.
You might also want to take your car in for a service if it feels sluggish or fuel efficiency is going down – fresh parts could solve the issue, or the inspection could find the cause.
Warning lights can also be a tell-tale sign that it’s time to service, as well as strange noises or smells from the engine. A garage can help you with this and advise on your next move.
How to prepare your car for a service
You don’t need to do too much before sending your car for its service, but you can do a couple of things to make it easier for the technician.
These include:
Get your locking wheel nut (usually kept in the glovebox or under the boot floor with the spare wheel) and put it somewhere easy to find, like a cupholder
Clean the outside of your car so parts like the tyres are easy to inspect
Clear out the interior and make it easy to access
Remove your personal items to prevent any accidental damage
Give your car a check-over and think of any issues you might want to flag – such as tyres that deflate quickly or any strange noises
Choosing the right car service provider
It’s important to choose a reliable and trusted service provider so you know your car is in good hands.
Look at reviews and ask around your local area to see where other drivers have had good experiences.
You can also book a service at some of our cinch Stores and save yourself the hassle of car maintenance.
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Car Service FAQ
What’s included in a car service?
An interim service (six months/6,000 miles) usually includes an engine oil and oil filter change and some basic checks of other fluid levels and your tyres.
A full service (12 months/12,000 miles) usually includes changing the engine oil, oil and air filters, and topping up the coolant and screenwash. There’s also an inspection of things like the wheels, brakes, suspension and other fluids.
A major service (24 months/24,000 miles) usually includes everything from a full service, plus changing the cabin air filter, replacing the brake fluid and topping up the clutch and power steering fluids (if required). The inspection is also more thorough, extending to a diagnostic scan of your car’s computers.
Keep in mind that the exact work done in any type of service can change depending on the garage and the make and model of your car, so it’s worth a double-check.
How much should a car service cost?
The cost of car servicing differs across the UK, but a full service can cost between £150 to £400, depending on your car.
A major service will usually be more expensive, often £300+, but the exact cost depends on where you're having it done.
An interim service can cost between £70 and £150, depending on the car and the garage.
Or you can get a full service from cinch for just £149 and a major service for just £249 – a flat price, whether you bought your car from us or not.
Can I skip a service?
You can skip a service – you don't need to get your car serviced by law – but it’s recommended to stick to the schedule in your car’s owner’s manual.
If your budget is tight, you could stretch it out until you can afford a full or major service – or choose an interim service in the meantime.
What happens if I don’t service my car?
Not servicing your car means that it usually won’t last as long and won’t be as efficient.
It can also lead to small issues becoming bigger, more expensive issues, so it’s usually a wise investment.