How much does a car service cost in 2024?

Whether it’s a routine car service or your car has a problem, a local car garage or mechanic can check things over for you. But, how much does a car service cost?

The exact car service price of will vary according to the make and model of your car. So, it’s always worth getting quotes for local car service prices before you book.

Keep reading to find out how much it costs to service a car in the UK.

How much does a car service cost?

How much does a full service cost in the UK?

If you’re going for a full service, the cost will be higher than an interim service or oil and filter change.

For a small car, the full car service cost is around £170.

For a medium car, that price is about £210, and for a large car, you’ll pay in the region of £395 for the full car service.

Car service hourly rates

Your car service hourly rates depend largely on whether your garage is a national chain, franchise, or a small independent business.

The exact rates you pay will depend on where you live, as prices vary across the UK.

On average, independent garages charge £56 per hour, while dealerships charge £99 per hour.

However, as we said, it also depends on where you are in the country. The range of car service hourly rates is between £36 - 230, with higher rates in and around London.

How much is a car service near me?

We always recommend speaking to at least three local garages or mechanics to get accurate costs for a car service in your area.

That way, you can make sure that you’re being quoted fair and competitive car service prices.

It’s also good to check whether the garage uses OEM, manufacturer-approved, or aftermarket parts. Knowing that will help you compare like-for-like quotes better.

Want us to do the legwork for you? No problem, we’re here to help. Use our free and easy request a quote feature to get several car service quotes at once.

Give us a few details about what you need, and we’ll get multiple car servicing companies to contact you directly. Try it now!

Factors affecting car service prices

Several factors can affect the price you pay for your car service, including:

• Make and model of your car
• Size of car
• Age of car
• Current mileage
• Any repairs or work that needs to be done
• Type and quality of any parts that need changing
• Where you live

When speaking to local garages, ask for a clear breakdown of what’s included in the price. That will help you understand what you’re paying for.

What’s included in the cost of a car service?

A car service is a routine check-up of the car to ensure it has no major problems. It also includes maintenance work required to keep it running smoothly. This includes:

• Engine oil and oil filter check
• Lights, tyres, bodywork and exhaust checks
• Brakes and steering check
• Fluid and coolant level checks
• Suspension check
• Car battery check

Your car service will include the cost of the materials for these and the mechanic’s hourly rates. In general, an interim service takes around 1 – 1.5 hours while a full service can take 3 – 4 hours.

If your car has parts that are severely worn or damaged, you may need to replace them.

You will then also have to pay for the replacement parts’ cost and the time it takes to replace them. If that’s the case, your car service cost will be higher.

What car service options are there?

When talking about car services, there are a number of different options you may have, depending on the garage or mechanic you go to.

The three main levels of car service are:

1. Interim service cost

Average cost for an interim service: £110

An interim service is usually recommended for every 6,000 miles (or every 6 months). It usually includes an oil and filter change and an inspection of the main parts of your car.

An interim car service will typically look at brake pads and discs, tyres and other areas that might show signs of general wear.

If you’re just looking for an oil filter change, that is usually cheaper than a basic service. The average cost for an oil and filter change is around £100.

2. Full service cost

Average cost for a full service: £170

A full service is recommended every year, or every 12,000 miles (whichever comes first).

This service will look at everything a basic service covers but the checks will go into more detail and include some additional work, such as air filter replacement and in-depth brake checks.

3. Major service cost

Average cost for a major service: £210

A major service is the most thorough car service you can get. This is recommended every 24,000 miles or every two years.

It involves a complete check of the vehicle and will extend to covering spark plugs, brake fluid, suspension, and fuel filters.

A major car service will highlight any work that needs to be done to give your motor a clean bill of health.

Find the best car service companies near me

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Full car service checklist

• Keep a log of when you have your car serviced so you know when it is next due.
• Track your mileage so you know if you need to have a car service earlier than planned.
• Speak to your local garage or car service specialist for accurate quotes.
• Remember to ask what’s included in each level of service, the details may vary between garages.
• Expect to pay more for a car service for larger vehicles.
• Always shop around for fair and competitive car service costs.
• Use a reputable local garage with qualified mechanics and, if in doubt, ask to see their relevant qualifications and/or accreditations.

FAQs

How often should I service my car?

For the average driver, it’s recommended that you book your car in for a service at least once every 12 months – or every 12,000 miles (whichever comes first).

For drivers who cover a lot of miles (15,000+ per year), it’s worth having a car service every 6 months. If in doubt, speak to your local car service experts for their advice.

What happens if I don’t service my car regularly?

One of the main benefits of having your car serviced regularly is that you avoid small problems becoming major issues for your car.

By keeping your car in good working order you can minimise the amount you have to spend on it. Otherwise, you could be forking out a lot more money down the line.

Here are some of the costs for major repairs that could come as a result of poor maintenance and not having regular car service.

• Replacing a radiator – £450
• Replacing a water pump – £250
• An engine exchange – £2,600
• Replacing a cylinder head gasket – £540

As you can see, these costs are a lot higher than a car service.

Top tip… Keep track of when you have your car serviced and your mileage so you know when to book your next car service.

Is a full car service worth it?

Yes, we think so. Keeping your car in good working order is important to avoid costly repairs from excessive wear and tear.

A full car service will help you spot issues before they become more damaging to your vehicle.

As shown above, major repairs cost a lot more than the price of a full car service – so, in our opinion, it’s worth carrying out an annual full car service (or every 12,000 miles).

Do you need to service your car every year?

As we’ve mentioned above, regular car servicing is the best way to avoid needing major repairs for your car.

For most drivers, a service once a year is enough. But, if you drive more than 12,000-15,000+ miles per year then you might want to have a service every 6 months.