The cost of living crisis has made millions of car owners looking to reduce their spending. However, car maintenance is vitally important as it reduces the likelihood of a large bill to fix your car.
Saving money can be achieved in many ways for drivers, but it shouldn’t be to the detriment of owning a vehicle.
A service is the perfect way to stay on top of keeping your car in as good a condition as possible.
Are you experiencing a car fault, warning, or mechanical problem on your road trip? Find a local mechanic with the RAC.
What is a car service?
Essentially, a car service is a check-up for your vehicle. Depending on a variety of factors, this can involve a wide range of checks, top-ups of fluids and small fixes around your car that ensure it is running smoothly and safely.
It will be conducted by a qualified mechanic and involves 50 or more checks on the vehicle.
Unlike the MOT, it is not a legal requirement to have each year – but it is strongly advised.
Why is it important?
Safety should be the priority for all car owners – for both themselves, their passengers and other road users.
This is why car servicing is an essential part of owning a vehicle.
Regular servicing will mean your car is running as efficiently as possible, saving you money in the long run – as well as providing better handling.
Regular car servicing also decreases the likelihood of your car breaking down either at home or at the roadside.
A full service history will mean that your car’s market value should be higher than other options if you are looking to sell it.
Regular vehicle servicing will almost certainly extend the life of your vehicle as well.
You can keep on track with your car's maintenance by getting a service plan with the RAC, in order to spread the cost over two years.
With this plan, you can choose to split your service and MOT to make sure there are expert eyes on your motor regularly.
How much is a full car service?
If you are budgeting and looking to see if a car service is something you can afford, then here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay.
However, it is very important to remember that these prices can change wildly depending on make, model, age, size, mileage, previous history, location of garage, time of year, and many other factors. Therefore, the cost can be significantly higher – and in some cases a bit cheaper.
- Full service for a small-sized car - £170-£210
- Full service for a medium-sized car - £210-£300
- Full service for a large car - £400+
How much is an interim car service?
In the majority of cases, the cost for an interim service will be around a third to half the price cheaper compared to a full service.
Again, this can vary a lot depending on the same factors.
What is included in a car service?
Full – This is the largest type of service available to most car owners. With the RAC, it will include a 77-point inspection, and it will need to be carried out every 12 months or 12,000 miles – whichever comes first. The service will also include changes to engine oil, oil filters, and air filters. During a full service, a mechanic will analyse all the vital parts of the car, along with the safety and mechanical systems.
Interim – This is a less comprehensive version of a service, and is carried out every six months or 6,000 miles – whichever comes first. This should not replace a full service. At the RAC, an interim service includes a 50-point inspection, an engine oil change and new oil filter being installed.
Others – There are a few alternative car service options, however, they are less poplar and are normally for more specific vehicles or scenarios. A ‘manufacturer service’ is for a higher spec model that needs to have work carried out by a dealership or garage from the manufacture themselves. A ‘major service’ is a more extreme version of a full service, for a vehicle that hasn’t had one in a long time.
Book your service today
If you are looking to book your car in for a service today – the RAC are here to help!
Book a car service today, with one of our trusted local garages or mobile mechanics.
Getting a service with a mobile mechanic starts from just £210 for a full service and for an interim service it starts at £201.
You can also get a service plan with the RAC, where you can spread the cost over two years.
