The short answer
Most manufacturers recommend a service every 12 months or around 10,000 to 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Your handbook or service book has the exact schedule for your car. Some newer cars work it out for themselves and show a message on the dashboard when a service is due.
Interim, full and major services
- Interim service, about every 6 months or 6,000 miles. An oil and filter change plus the key safety checks. Worth having if you do a high mileage or lots of short trips.
- Full service, every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Everything in an interim service, plus a new air filter and a much wider set of checks on the engine, brakes, steering and suspension.
- Major service, about every 2 years or 24,000 miles. A full service plus items that last longer, such as brake fluid, the cabin filter and, depending on the car, spark plugs or the fuel filter.
What's included varies between garages, so ask for the list before you book.
A service is not an MOT
An MOT is a legal check that your car is safe and roadworthy on the day of the test. It doesn't change the oil or look at how worn the engine is. A service is what keeps the car healthy between MOTs. You need both.
Signs you shouldn't wait
- A service or warning light on the dashboard
- New noises, vibrations or smells
- The car using more fuel than usual
- Brakes that feel soft, or a car that pulls to one side
- You've just bought a used car and don't know when it was last done
Why it's worth keeping up
Regular servicing catches small problems before they turn into big bills, keeps the car economical, and gives you a stamped service history, which makes a real difference to what the car is worth when you sell it.
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