Your car should usually be serviced every 12 months or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, the right service interval depends on your vehicle, mileage, age, fuel type and how it is used.
Regular servicing helps keep your car safe, reliable and efficient. It can also reduce the risk of expensive repairs by finding problems early.
General car service intervals
Most UK drivers should follow this rough guide:
- Interim service: every 6 months or 6,000 miles
- Full service: every 12 months or 12,000 miles
- Major service: every 24 months or 24,000 miles
Your vehicle handbook is the best place to check the exact recommended interval for your car.
Do low-mileage cars still need servicing?
Yes. Even if you do not drive many miles, your car should still be serviced regularly.
Oil, brake fluid, coolant and other fluids can degrade over time. Rubber parts, tyres, brakes and batteries can also deteriorate even when the vehicle is not used often.
For low-mileage drivers, an annual service is usually still recommended.
Do high-mileage cars need servicing more often?
Yes, often they do.
If you drive long distances, use your car for work, drive in heavy traffic, tow trailers or make lots of short journeys, your car may benefit from more frequent servicing.
High-mileage cars place more wear on tyres, brakes, suspension, engine oil and filters.
What happens if you skip a service?
Skipping services can lead to:
- Poor fuel economy
- Increased engine wear
- Brake and suspension problems
- Reduced reliability
- Higher repair bills
- Lower resale value
- Warranty issues on newer cars
A missed service does not automatically mean your car is unsafe, but it does increase the risk of problems being missed.
Is a service the same as an MOT?
No. An MOT is a legal annual test for vehicles over three years old. It checks whether the vehicle meets minimum road safety and environmental standards.
A service is maintenance. It checks and replaces key parts such as oil, filters, fluids and other wear items.
Your car can pass an MOT and still need a service.
Which service should you book?
If your car was serviced less than 12 months ago but you drive a lot, an interim service may be enough.
If it has been around a year since the last service, a full service is usually the right choice.
If your car has not had a detailed service for two years or more, a major service may be more suitable.
Final advice
For most drivers, servicing your car once a year is a sensible minimum. If you drive high mileage or use your car heavily, consider servicing it every six months.
Keeping up with servicing helps protect your car, your safety and your wallet.