Book a Full or Interim Car Service in Southampton

£289.62

Average price for service work nationally in the last 30 days^

Trustpilot rating for all RAC Mobile Mechanics.

Our top pick for car servicing in Southampton

We’ll come to you at home or work

RAC Mobile Mechanic in Southampton

At the RAC, we’ve got over 125 years’ experience in offering complete peace of mind to our members. We’re best known for our breakdown service. And now our new RAC Mobile Mechanics are here to help make every day driving more convenient and easier. If you need a service or repair, they’ll come to you at your home or work.

Why choose the RAC for car servicing in Southampton

Giving our members service they can trust matters. That's why we offer car servicing from our RAC Mobile Mechanics and RAC Approved Garages in Southampton. Our professional mechanics have the expertise and experience to make sure your vehicle is operating safely and efficiently – results you can rely on at a price you can afford.

Plus, with RAC Mobile Mechanics, you can avoid the hassle of taking your vehicle to a garage. They can do a car service on your driveway, so you don't even need to leave the house.

Need an MOT? You can also book an MOT in Southampton with trusted mechanics.

RAC Mobile Mechanic under the wheel arch of a white car

Full service

A comprehensive set of checks to make sure your car’s safe and working correctly. Depending on your vehicle, it can take up to 1hr 30 minutes. Recommended every 12 months or 12,000 miles.

Road test

Before and after the service, we’ll run a general road test to detect if anything feels or sounds unusual and to make sure there aren’t any new problems.

Under the bonnet

- Battery and charging system check – Cooling system check – Engine oil and filter change – Fuel filter check – Air filter replacement – Power steering fluid top-up

Exterior checks

– Steering and suspension – Wheels and tyres – Brakes – Front and rear lights – Exhaust – Mechanical parts – Wipers – Wiper fluid top up

Safety feature checks

– Horn – Seatbelts – Seatbelt mounts

Full diagnostic check

We’ll plug into your onboard engine management systems using our specialist diagnostic computer. We’ll then run a full engine management system check, looking for electrical issues and any problems flagged up by the electric control units on the engine, the power steering, transmission, sensors and more.

RAC Mobile Mechanic running a car battery check

Interim service

A series of checks to keep your car running smoothly between full services. It should take around 1 hour.

Road test

Before and after the service, we’ll run a general road test to detect if anything feels or sounds unusual and to make sure there aren’t any new problems.

Under the bonnet

– Battery check – Cooling system check – Engine oil and filter change

Exterior checks

– Steering and suspension – Wheels and tyres – Brakes – Front and rear lights – Exhaust – Mechanical parts – Wipers – Wiper fluid top up

Safety feature checks

– Horn – Seatbelts – Seatbelt mounts

A close-up of somebody topping up a car vehicle's oil.

Oil & filter change

It’s important to get your oil changed regularly, to make sure your engine is running efficiently and prevent damage. It's recommended you change it every 6,000 miles. It should take us around 50 minutes.

Check your engine for leaks

Drain your oil and replenish with new

Change your oil filter

We'll always use the grade of oil your manufacturer recommends or better

Average cost of a full service by car make^

The cost of a full service will depend on the car you drive, but it’s generally higher than an interim service. According to RAC data, the average cost of a full car service is £260. But you can check out the average price of a full car service for your specific car make here.

Car Make	Average Price
Ford	£276
Vauxhall	£272
BMW	£300
Mercedes-Benz	£337
Volkswagen	£276
Nissan	£268
Audi	£288
Peugeot	£283
Mini	£276
Land Rover	£349

^{^}Average price quoted for RAC Mobile Mechanics from 01/01/25 to 31/03/25.

And it’s not just full & interim services that we can do in Southampton

Repairs

RAC Approved Garages and RAC Mobile Mechanics offer expert repairs at a fair price in Southampton. Whether you’re looking to have your brake pads and discs repaired at home, or need more extensive work performed at a garage – the RAC has the solution for you.

Diagnostic

If you’re unsure what’s causing your vehicle problems, have it looked at by an expert. RAC's Southampton Mobile Mechanics and RAC Approved Garages come with our seal of approval. You can rest assured that you’ll be given an accurate diagnosis and be fully informed of all your options for repair.

What our expert says

There are a few types of service available: interim, full, and manufacturer’s. The advantage of a manufacturer service is it will replace things that the others won’t. Some items are time critical and need to be carried out in line with manufacturer’s guidelines.

Nick Mullender

Lead RAC Mobile Mechanic

Alternatively why not try one of our RAC Approved Garages in Southampton

View all garages

AutoTech Motors Services/Barry Motor Trade Ltd

4.9/5

A customer-focused approach delivered with the friendly, personal touch. Modern garage services from a workshop that regularly invests into new technology. Covering all locations in Hampshire including Southampton, Salisbury, Romsey, Eastleigh and Totton. Specialists in all German marques but able to work on any make or model. Car servicing and repair work undertaken to the same schedules as dealerships. An affordable service from a company that guarantees all parts and its workmanship. Our customers get competitive deals on car and van servicing, MOTs, air conditioning, exhausts, batteries, brakes, clutches, diagnostics, suspension and more. We even offer FREE safety checks to keep you safe on the road. We pride ourselves in giving all of our customers that personal touch, which you would expect from a family-run business, and of course the most competitive prices and great availability and service. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always happy to help, offering unbiased advice, and if you find a cheaper price for the same product in stock, we’ll try our best to beat it at the time of purchase.

Stanley House, Manor House Avenue, Southampton, SO150LF

Crampmoor Garage Ltd

4.9/5

You can trust Crampmoor gargae to do the job right. With over four decades of experience under our belt, we know all there is to know about providing quality car care. Since 1975, the Meader family has endeavoured to deliver high-quality car repairs at affordable prices. So, whether you need a brake fluid replacement, a coolant change, a front wheel alignment, or a general diagnostic check, we are here to help.

Halterworth Lane, Crampmoor, Romsey, SO519AN

Southcoast Automotive Services ltd

4.9/5

Friendly, Local Family Run Garage We are your friendly, local family run car garages in Hampshire, dedicated to providing you with a comprehensive range of automotive services tailored for your specific requirements. From car servicing and maintenance to engine diagnostics and car repairs in, Botley, Hedge End and the surrounding areas we are the company to call. All work undertaken is completed to the highest of standards by trained and experienced auto specialists. We are dedicated to providing a superb range of garage services to meet all your private vehicle and small business needs, including performance and kit cars - please call for details.

Unit C, Mereworth Ind. Estate, Shamblehurst Lane North, Southampton, SO322BY

Swanmore Car Repair Centre

4.8/5

Swanmore Car Repair Centre is an independent repair garage established in 2008. We offer a wide range of services and commend ourselves by providing the best quality and efficiency on every single job we undertake. Our clean, modern and well-equipt premises allow us to welcome any repair and rectify it. We cover anything from a simple service, right through to a full engine rebuild. On-site we have a vast range of different diagnostics equipment from a range of leading suppliers. We can facilitate diagnostics to complete vehicle reprogramming depending on individual need. We can accommodate all vehicle make's and models and are happy to be able to provide you with a reputable dealer level of service, all for the price of an independent garage. Our team specialise in Clutch, Cambelt and Brake repairs and are proud to be rated a national top performer. We are members of the approved garage network This ensures you have peace of mind and confidence when repairing with us. All of our team here at Swanmore Car Repair Centre are fully qualified and trained to the highest standard. We strive in making sure we deliver professional work with results, always put the customer's needs first. Customer satisfaction is essential on each and every job, no matter how big or small. We are very pleased to be able to provide both a collection and delivery service within 10 miles, or a courtesy car subject to availability. Of course, however, you may just prefer to wait in our comfortable waiting room, with free Wi-Fi and refreshments on offer.

Unit 7 Swanmore Business Centre, Lower Chase Road, Swanmore, Southampton, SO32 2PB

Shirley Car Care Centre Ltd

4.6/5

Based in Shirley, we are a family run company and give 100% customer satisfaction for all your vehicle needs. We specialise is Clutches, Semi-automatic gearboxes, Servicing, Mots, Welding, Air conditioning, Vehicle diagnostics and much more. Find us on Facebook for reviews and don't forget to like our page!

1 Vincents Grove, Southampton, SO155HW

Frequently Asked Questions on Full and Interim Services

What does a full service include?

A full service is thorough. It includes checking and replacing the engine oil and all filters. It also involves inspecting brakes, tyres, lights, and exhaust systems. Safety features like seatbelts and airbags are tested. The suspension, steering, and battery are assessed too. Check the specifics to know what your mechanic includes. A full service makes sure every key system in your car is optimised for performance and safety.

How often should I book a full service for my car?

Usually, a full service is needed once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. This depends on what your car’s manufacturer says, so check your owner’s manual or ask your service provider for advice.

What’s included in an interim service?

An interim service includes changing the engine oil and oil filter. Essential fluids are topped up, and key components like tyres, lights, and wipers are checked. It’s designed to keep your car safe and reliable between full services, especially if you drive a lot each year.

How often should you get an interim service?

For frequent drivers, an interim service is should be every 6 months or every 6,000 miles. This helps make sure that often used cars stay in good condition.

What’s the difference between a full service and an interim service?

A full service is more detailed and includes a complete list of checks and recommendations for part replacements. An interim service focuses on the essentials to keep your car running safely and efficiently between full services.

Is it worth getting a full service with an MOT?

Combining a full service with an MOT can be very useful. It makes sure your car meets legal safety and emissions standards and is in top condition. This combination is cost-effective, convenient, and reduces the need for multiple garage visits.