How Often Should I Service My Car? A UK Guide

Summary

• Service intervals are based on time or mileage—whichever comes first, as fluids and parts degrade even on low-mileage cars.
• Services typically come in three types: Interim (6 months/6k miles), Full (12 months/12k miles), and Major (24 months/24k miles).
• Regular servicing is crucial for safety, fuel efficiency, and maintaining your car's resale value, and is different from a legal MOT test.

Of all the questions that come with owning a car, "how often should I get it serviced?" has to be one of the most confusing.

You’ve got the manufacturer's handbook telling you one thing, your local garage suggesting another, and a warning light on the dashboard that seems to have a mind of its own. Is it about time? Or is it about mileage? And what on earth is the difference between a "full" and a "major" service, anyway?

Let's clear the fog. Think of this not as a lecture, but as a chat over a cup of tea. We'll break down what car servicing is all about, why the service intervals aren't just random numbers, and how you can make smart choices for your car and your wallet.

The Golden Rule: Time or Mileage, Whichever Comes First

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's get the most important principle out of the way. Car service intervals are almost always based on two factors:

1. Time: Usually measured in months or years.
2. Mileage: The distance the car has travelled.

Your car will need a service when you hit either the time limit or the mileage limit—whichever happens first.

"But I barely drive my car," you might say. "It's only done 3,000 miles this year, so it doesn't need a service, right?"

Wrong. This is a common and costly mistake. A car that sits idle still ages. Engine oil degrades over time, losing its ability to protect your engine. Rubber hoses and belts can become brittle, and moisture can build up in fluids like brake fluid, making them less effective. Think of it like a carton of milk in the fridge—even if you don't drink it, it still has an expiry date.

Decoding the Jargon: Interim, Full, and Major Services

Garages love their terminology, but it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Most service schedules in the UK revolve around three main types of service, each building on the last.

So, in a typical two-year cycle, you might have a Full Service in year one, and a Major Service in year two, with Interim services sprinkled in between if you cover a lot of miles.

The Manufacturer's Schedule: Your Car's "Official" Rulebook

Alright, so the table above gives you the general idea. But the single most important document for your car's health is its owner's manual.

Why? Because Ford knows how to look after a Ford better than anyone else. The engineers who designed your engine and tested its components for thousands of hours have worked out the optimal service intervals to keep it running reliably. Following this schedule is especially important when your car is still under warranty, as failing to do so could void it.

Many modern cars have made this even easier. They use on-board computers to actively monitor your driving style and the condition of the engine oil. Instead of a fixed schedule, a light will simply pop up on your dashboard telling you when a service is due. This is called a "variable" or "on-board" service indicator, and it’s the car’s way of telling you, "Hey, I need a check-up!"

But Real Life Isn't a Manual: When to Adjust Your Schedule

The manufacturer's schedule is your baseline. It's the perfect plan for a car driven under "normal" conditions. But let's be honest, what is "normal"?

Your personal service intervals might need to be shorter if your driving falls into the "severe" category. And you might be surprised what counts as severe:

• Lots of short journeys: If you're mainly popping to the shops or doing the school run (trips of less than 5-10 miles), your engine rarely gets up to its ideal operating temperature. This can cause condensation and contaminants to build up in the oil, degrading it much faster.
• Constant stop-start traffic: City driving is tough on a car. It puts more strain on your brakes, clutch, and transmission than cruising on a motorway.
• Towing or carrying heavy loads: This puts extra stress on just about everything—engine, transmission, brakes, and suspension.
• Driving in extreme conditions: Think dusty roads, very hot or very cold climates, or hilly areas.

If any of these sound like your daily drive, you should probably lean towards more frequent servicing, like getting an interim service every 6,000 miles, even if the manual's main schedule says 12,000.

Answering the Awkward Questions

"Is a service the same as an MOT?"

Absolutely not. This is a crucial distinction.

• An MOT is a legally required annual test to ensure your car is roadworthy and safe at that specific moment. An MOT tester will check things like brakes, lights, and emissions, but they won't replace any parts unless it's to fix a failure.
• A Service is proactive maintenance. It's a health check where worn parts are replaced, and fluids are changed to prevent future problems and keep the car running efficiently.

You can have a car that passes its MOT with flying colours but is desperately overdue for a service. Want to know more? We have a complete guide to the MOT test that explains it all.

"Do electric cars need servicing?"

Yes, they do! It’s a common myth that they don't. While they have far fewer moving parts than a petrol or diesel car (no oil changes, no spark plugs, no exhaust systems), they still have brakes, tyres, suspension, steering components, and battery coolant systems that all need regular inspection. The service intervals are often different, so again, check that manual. We explore this in more detail in our guide: Do Electric Cars Need Servicing?.

"What's not included in a standard service?"

One of the most common surprises is the air conditioning. A standard service doesn't usually include checking or "re-gassing" your A/C system. That's a specialist job that you'll typically have to book separately.

Listening to Your Car: Beyond the Schedule

A service schedule is a guide, not a guarantee that nothing will go wrong in between. The best way to care for your car is to pay attention to it. You know its quirks better than anyone. Be alert for:

• New or unusual noises: Squealing, grinding, or knocking are all signs that something needs attention.
• Warning lights: Don't ignore them! That little light is your car's only way of telling you something is wrong. Check out our guide to dashboard warning lights to decode the message.
• Changes in handling: Does the steering feel loose? Is the car pulling to one side? Are the brakes feeling spongy?

If you notice anything different, don't wait for your next scheduled service. Get it checked out.

The Bottom Line: Why Servicing is an Investment, Not a Cost

It’s easy to see servicing as just another bill. But in reality, it's one of the best investments you can make in your vehicle. Regular maintenance:

• Keeps you safe: It identifies potential failures in critical components like brakes and suspension before they become a disaster.
• Saves you money: Catching a small oil leak is cheap. Replacing a seized engine because of a lack of oil is not.
• Improves fuel efficiency: A well-maintained engine with clean filters and fresh oil runs more efficiently, saving you money at the pump.
• Increases resale value: A car with a full, stamped service history is worth significantly more than one without. It proves to the next owner that the car has been looked after. You can always check your car's service history if you're unsure.

Ultimately, understanding your car's service intervals is about more than just following rules. It’s about understanding that your car is a complex machine that needs regular care to perform its best. Keep the owner's manual handy, listen to what your car is telling you, and you'll enjoy many more miles of safe, reliable driving.

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