How often should you service your car?
3 min read · Published 15 September 2026
There is no single answer that fits every car. Service intervals are set by the manufacturer and depend on the model, the engine and how the vehicle is used.
The two triggers: time and mileage
Most cars are serviced on whichever comes first, an annual interval or a mileage interval. Short, stop-start journeys for example can be harder on a car than longer motorway runs, so it is worth telling the garage how you use it.
Interim or full?
- An interim service covers the essentials such as oil, filters and key safety checks.
- A full service is more thorough and replaces or checks more items.
- Most cars alternate between the two across their life.
If you are not sure what your car is due, tell us the model, mileage and your last service, and we will point you to the right schedule. Regular servicing is one of the simplest ways to keep a car reliable.
Want the garage to look at it?
Book a morning drop-off, or call us and describe what you have noticed.