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You should get your car serviced at least every 12 months or 12,000 miles. So make your service hassle-free. Book an RAC Mobile Mechanic to service your car at home or work, so
you don’t need to take time out of your day. Or choose a trusted RAC Approved Garage nearby.

Our mobile mechanics and approved garages can easily handle full and interim car services, manufacturer services, electric car services, hybrid car services and more. Find out why
you need a service, what type of service to get, how often, and more below.

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What is a car service?

A car service is a routine health inspection to keep your car running safely and efficiently. It’s like a regular check-up to catch small issues before they become big problems, saving you money in the long run. A service covers a long list of big and small checks, including testing your lights, battery and cooling systems, plus maintenance jobs like replacing your engine oil and filters.

There are different kinds of service, too. A full service includes more comprehensive checks, while an interim service is designed to keep your car ticking over between full services. A manufacturer service has all the steps included in a full service, plus extra measures recommended specifically by your manufacturer for your car’s model and mileage. For example, inspecting the sunroof or replacing the pollen filter if you have one.

Find a car service near you today. You can also read more in our handy car service checklist.

Why do I need a car service?

Your car needs regular servicing to keep running safely and efficiently. Also, if your car needs a repair and you haven’t been servicing it regularly with the right parts, fluid and oils, you might not be able to claim against your warranty. Services prevent accidents and expensive damage. For example, changing your filters helps stop dirt and dust getting into your engine and causing major problems. Even low-maintenance electric and hybrid cars need regular checkups to keep them running smoothly.

Getting your car serviced regularly also means you can find and fix minor issues before they become bigger problems, so you’ll save money in the long run.

How often should I service my car?

Most manufacturers recommend a full car service once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Even if it’s hybrid or electric.

Check your logbook to see when your car was last serviced. Some cars will alert you when a service is due. If that reminder pops up before the 12-month or 12,000 mile mark, don’t ignore it.

Service type	Service interval
Oil & filter change	Roughly every 6,000 miles (depending on your car) or when your oil turns black.
Interim service	Between full services, every 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Full service	Every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Manufacturer service	Check your manual for your manufacturer’s service schedule.

Is a car service the same as an MOT?

No, a car service is not the same as an MOT. An MOT makes sure your car meets the minimum legal safety and environmental standards for UK roads. A car service keeps your car in optimal condition to make sure it runs efficiently and avoids damage.

An MOT is an annual inspection that looks at safety and environmental impact. It’s a legal requirement for almost every vehicle on the UK’s roads. Read more in our MOT guide.

A car service makes sure your car is performing correctly. It’s a more in-depth mechanical assessment than an MOT. But unlike an MOT, it’s not a legal requirement.

It’s a good idea to get a service before your MOT, so you can find and fix any issues that would otherwise cause your car to fail its MOT. A mobile mechanic can service your car at home or work. Or to keep your car in peak condition, you can book a service alongside your MOT at your local RAC Approved Garage.

What’s included in a car service?

The checks and maintenance included in your service will vary depending on your car and the type of service you choose. All services include a visual check. For example, looking at the bodywork and wheels.
They’ll also check things like your brakes and gearbox are working properly. If you have an electric or hybrid car, they’ll check your charging ports, cables and connections.

Manufacturer service

Tailored specifically to your car’s unique requirements, based on your model and the mileage you’ve driven. Getting a manufacturer service is particularly important if you have an expensive or higher-spec car, or a much older model.

Road test

Before and after the service, your mechanic will 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 – Wiper Fluid top-up

Exterior checks

– Steering and suspension – Wheels and tyres – Brakes – Front and rear lights – Exhaust – Mechanical parts – Wipers

Safety feature checks

– Horn – Seatbelts – Seatbelt mounts

Full diagnostic check

Your mechanic will plug a diagnostic computer into your onboard engine management system. They'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.

Extra recommended checks

Your mechanic will find out and complete the additional checks your manufacturer recommends for your specific model based on the mileage you’ve done.

Full service

You should get a full service every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Your mechanic will check your car thoroughly to make sure it’s safe and working correctly. A full service should take around an hour and a half.

Road test

Before and after the service, your mechanic will 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 – Wiper Fluid top-up

Exterior checks

– Steering and suspension – Wheels and tyres – Brakes – Front and rear lights – Exhaust – Mechanical parts – Wipers

Safety feature checks

– Horn – Seatbelts – Seatbelt mounts

Full diagnostic check

Interim service

If you had a service about six months ago, you should get an interim service. It includes the most important checks to make sure your car’s in good shape until the next full service. An interim service should take around an hour.

Road test

Before and after the service, your mechanic will 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 – Wiper Fluid top-up

Exterior checks

– Steering and suspension – Wheels and tyres – Brakes – Front and rear lights – Exhaust – Mechanical parts – Wipers

Safety feature checks

– Horn – Seatbelts – Seatbelt mounts

How long does a car service take?

A car service usually takes 2 to 3 hours, as long as they don’t find any major issues. But timings vary from model to model. For example, bigger more complex cars take longer to service. A full service takes longer than an interim service, as it’s more comprehensive.

If you go to a garage they could service your car while you wait. Or they may ask you to drop off your car in the morning and collect it later. Can’t make it to the garage? Book a mobile mechanic today and enjoy the convenience of a car service at home.

What do I need for a car service?

Alloy wheel keys or locking nuts

We'll need these to remove your wheels, so we can check your steering and suspension systems.

Close up of someone changing an alloy wheel

An empty boot

If you have a spare tyre, our technicians will need to check it. So make sure you remove any personal items from the boot.

Your service book

We need to see when certain things were last replaced. For example, brake fluid and spark plugs. This information is in your service book.

Mobile mechanic or approved garage?

RAC Mobile Mechanics and RAC Approved Garages can both service your car with the quality work and expectional customer service you’d expect from the RAC. So your best choice depends on your needs. A mobile mechanic gives you the convenience of getting a service at home or work. On the other hand, going to a garage allows you to get your service and MOT at the same time.