A car service in the UK typically costs around £90 to £180 for an interim service, £150 to £300 for a full service, and £250 to £500 or more for a major service.
The exact price depends on your vehicle, the garage, your location, the oil and parts required, and the amount of work included.
This guide helps you compare car service prices, understand what you are paying for and choose the right level of servicing for your vehicle.
Quick facts
- Interim service cost
- Usually £90 to £180
- Full service cost
- Usually £150 to £300
- Major service cost
- Usually £250 to £500+
- Main price factors
- Vehicle, service type, parts, oil, labour and location
- Best way to compare
- Check what is included, not only the headline price
Average Car Service Cost in the UK
Typical UK guide prices are:
| Service type | Typical price | Common frequency | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interim service | £90–£180 | Around every 6 months or 6,000 miles for high-mileage use | Basic maintenance between full services |
| Full service | £150–£300 | Usually annually or around every 12,000 miles | Routine yearly maintenance |
| Major service | £250–£500+ | Often every 2 years or according to the manufacturer schedule | More comprehensive scheduled maintenance |
These are guide prices rather than fixed quotations. Some vehicles will cost less, while premium, performance, hybrid, diesel or specialist vehicles may cost more.
⚠️ Check what the quoted price includes
How Much Is an Interim Service?
An interim service is normally the cheapest servicing option and usually costs around £90 to £180.
It is designed as a basic maintenance check between full services and is particularly useful for:
- High-mileage drivers
- Vehicles used for frequent short journeys
- Cars used for commuting or business
- Drivers who want an additional safety check between annual services
An interim service commonly includes:
- Engine oil and oil-filter replacement
- Fluid-level checks
- Tyre condition and pressure checks
- Brake inspection
- Lights and visibility checks
- Basic steering and suspension inspection
- Checks for obvious leaks or damage
An interim service is not normally a replacement for a full service unless the vehicle manufacturer specifically recommends it.
Read our comparison of interim and full car services before deciding which one to book.
You can also compare garages offering interim services.
How Much Is a Full Car Service?
A full car service typically costs around £150 to £300.
It is usually carried out annually or at the mileage interval recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
A full service generally includes the work completed during an interim service, plus a wider inspection of the vehicle.
Depending on the garage and the vehicle, it may include:
- Engine oil and oil-filter replacement
- Air-filter inspection or replacement
- Pollen or cabin-filter inspection
- Brake checks
- Steering and suspension checks
- Exhaust-system inspection
- Battery and charging checks
- Cooling-system checks
- Tyre inspection
- Fluid checks and top-ups
- Roadworthiness and safety checks
Not every garage includes replacement filters or additional fluids in the advertised price. Always confirm the specification before booking.
See our detailed guide to what a full car service includes.
You can also compare garages offering full car services.
How Much Does a Major Service Cost?
A major car service usually costs around £250 to £500 or more.
It is the most comprehensive routine service and is often required every two years, although the correct interval depends on the manufacturer's schedule.
A major service may include everything covered by a full service, together with additional maintenance such as:
- Spark-plug replacement on applicable petrol engines
- Fuel-filter replacement where required
- Air-filter replacement
- Cabin or pollen-filter replacement
- Additional fluid replacement or testing
- More extensive inspection of major vehicle systems
The price can increase significantly when the vehicle requires specialist parts, a larger quantity of oil or additional scheduled maintenance.
A major service is not the same as major repairs
You can compare garages offering major car services.
Compare Car Service Prices Properly
The cheapest advertised price is not automatically the best value.
| Compare | Interim service | Full service | Major service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical price | £90–£180 | £150–£300 | £250–£500+ |
| Typical frequency | Between annual services or for high-mileage use | Usually annually | Often every two years or by manufacturer schedule |
| Oil and oil filter | Usually included | Usually included | Usually included |
| Wider inspection | Basic | Comprehensive | Most comprehensive |
| Additional filters or scheduled parts | Usually limited | May be included | More likely to be included |
| Best suited to | Extra maintenance between full services | Routine yearly servicing | Major scheduled maintenance |
The exact specification varies between garages, so compare the included work rather than relying only on the service name.
When comparing car service prices, check:
- Whether engine oil is included
- The specification and quantity of oil being used
- Whether the oil filter is included
- Whether other filters are inspected or replaced
- How many vehicle checks are carried out
- Whether diagnostic checks are included
- Whether VAT is included
- Whether collection and delivery cost extra
- Whether replacement parts carry a warranty
- Whether additional work requires your approval
- Whether a service record will be updated
A £170 service that includes the correct oil, filters and a detailed inspection may offer better value than a £120 service with a much narrower specification.
At a glance
- Lowest headline price
- Check carefully what is excluded
- Clear written specification
- Easier to compare fairly
- Correct manufacturer-grade oil
- Important for engine protection
- Extra work without approval
- Do not accept unexpected charges
- Detailed inspection report
- Helps you plan future maintenance
What Affects the Cost of a Car Service?
Several factors influence the final price.
Type of service
An interim service includes fewer checks and replacement items than a full or major service, so it normally costs less.
Vehicle make and model
Some vehicles are quicker and simpler to service. Others require specialist knowledge, additional dismantling or manufacturer-specific parts.
Engine size and oil capacity
Larger engines often require more oil. The correct oil specification can also affect the price.
Petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric vehicle
Different powertrains have different maintenance requirements.
Electric vehicles do not need engine-oil changes, but they still require checks on brakes, tyres, suspension, steering, cooling systems and other components.
Hybrid vehicles combine combustion-engine and electrical systems and may require technicians with suitable equipment and training.
Replacement parts
Filters, spark plugs, fluids and other scheduled replacement items increase the cost of a service.
Labour rates
Labour rates vary between garages, dealerships, specialists and different parts of the country.
Additional faults
The advertised service price normally does not include repairs discovered during inspection.
A garage may identify:
- Worn brake pads
- Damaged tyres
- Fluid leaks
- Suspension wear
- Battery problems
- Corroded components
- Faulty lights or wipers
The garage should explain the problem and obtain your permission before carrying out additional chargeable work.
Independent Garage vs Main Dealer Service Cost
An independent garage will often have lower overheads and labour rates than a main dealership.
A main dealer may offer:
- Manufacturer-trained technicians
- Brand-specific diagnostic systems
- Manufacturer-branded parts
- Dealer service records
- Specialist knowledge of particular models
An independent garage may offer:
- Lower labour rates
- More flexibility over parts
- A more personal service
- Easier comparison between local businesses
- Competitive pricing for routine servicing
The better choice depends on the age of the vehicle, its warranty conditions, the complexity of the work and the quality of the individual garage.
💷 Compare like for like
Can You Service a Car Outside the Main Dealer?
You do not necessarily have to use a main dealer for routine servicing.
However, the vehicle must be serviced correctly, using appropriate parts, fluids and procedures, particularly when it is still covered by a manufacturer warranty.
Keep:
- The invoice
- The service specification
- Details of parts and fluids used
- The service date and mileage
- Any digital or paper service-record updates
Check the exact warranty requirements for your vehicle before booking.
Does a Car Service Include an MOT?
A car service and an MOT are separate.
An MOT checks whether the vehicle meets minimum legal safety and environmental standards at the time of the test.
A service is preventative maintenance intended to protect reliability, safety and mechanical condition.
Some garages sell combined MOT-and-service packages, but you should check:
- Which type of service is included
- Whether the MOT fee is included
- Whether repairs are charged separately
- Whether a retest fee may apply
- Whether collection and delivery are included
Typical combined costs depend on the service level and the garage:
| Booking type | Typical guide price |
|---|---|
| Interim service only | £90–£180 |
| Full service only | £150–£300 |
| Major service only | £250–£500+ |
| MOT test | Charged separately unless included in a package |
| Service and MOT package | Usually the service price plus the garage's MOT fee, although discounted packages may be available |
A combined service-and-MOT price is not automatically cheaper. Check the service specification, MOT fee, VAT and any additional charges before comparing packages.
Booking both together can be convenient, but a service does not guarantee that the vehicle will pass its MOT.
Can Regular Servicing Reduce Repair Costs?
Regular servicing can identify wear and developing faults before they become more expensive.
A garage may spot:
- Brake pads wearing thin
- Tyres approaching replacement
- Low or contaminated fluids
- Oil or coolant leaks
- Suspension wear
- Battery deterioration
- Cracked belts or hoses
Finding a problem early does not always make the repair cheap, but it can reduce the risk of additional damage, breakdowns and avoidable MOT failures.
How to Avoid Overpaying for a Car Service
Before booking:
- Check the manufacturer's service schedule.
- Ask which service level your vehicle actually needs.
- Request a written list of included work.
- Confirm whether VAT, oil, filters and parts are included.
- Compare several garages using the same specification.
- Ask the garage to contact you before completing additional work.
- Keep the invoice and service record.
- Be cautious of unusually cheap prices with no clear explanation of what is included.
How Often Should You Service Your Car?
Many cars are serviced annually or around every 12,000 miles, but the correct interval depends on the vehicle.
Some manufacturers use fixed service intervals, while others use variable servicing based on mileage, driving conditions and onboard monitoring.
High-mileage use, repeated short journeys and demanding driving conditions may justify more frequent maintenance.
Follow the manufacturer's schedule rather than relying on a universal interval.
Read How Often Should You Service Your Car? for a more detailed explanation.
Find and Compare Car Service Garages
The Garage Locator helps UK drivers find local garages offering:
- Interim services
- Full services
- Major services
- MOT testing
- Repairs and maintenance
When comparing garages, review the service offered, the garage profile and what is included in the quoted price.
Find car service garages near you
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a car service cost?
A car service commonly costs around £90 to £180 for an interim service, £150 to £300 for a full service and £250 to £500 or more for a major service. The exact price depends on the car and the work included.
How much is a full car service?
A full car service usually costs around £150 to £300. Larger, premium or specialist vehicles may cost more.
How much does a major service cost?
A major service typically costs around £250 to £500 or more because it includes additional inspections and scheduled replacement items.
Is £300 expensive for a car service?
It depends on the service and vehicle. £300 may be expensive for a basic interim service but reasonable for a comprehensive full service or a vehicle requiring specialist oil, parts or additional labour.
Why is my car service so expensive?
The price may be higher because of the vehicle model, oil specification, parts required, labour time, garage type or additional maintenance in the manufacturer's schedule.
Is the cheapest car service worth booking?
Not automatically. Compare the work, oil, filters, parts, VAT and inspection specification included in each quote.
Does a full service include an MOT?
No. A service and MOT are separate unless the garage specifically offers a combined package.
Does a car service include repairs?
Routine service prices generally do not include additional repairs. The garage should explain any faults and obtain your permission before carrying out chargeable work.