How often do you actually get your car serviced?

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smushs88@reddit

Annually, doing roughly 8k miles a year.

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-Rhymenocerous-@reddit

I service my own.

Oil every 8k miles & filter
Coolant flush yearly
Pollen Filter Yearly
Spark Plugs every 2 years
Brakes / Discs as and when

Im just about to put new ignition coil and cables on as the cars at 192k atm and probably needs a little tune up. Also carbon cleaned it last month and put a new throttle body and intake manifold on.

Next week im overhauling the entire front end suspension / bearings / inner&outer tie rods then in 2 months im doing all the rear suspension.

Im not a mechanic. I just have a lot of tools and a workshop manual.

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Terrible_Tap_4385@reddit

You didn’t state your annual mileage so hope the oil/ filter change is at least annually, if you’re only doing 5k miles per year

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-Rhymenocerous-@reddit

I thought was clearly obvious that;

I obviously take care of my car and wouldnt overlook such a thing
Clearly drive it enough to warrant all that stuff being done on a schedule.

Everyone loves to nitpick on the internet I guess

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Terrible_Tap_4385@reddit

Or humble-brag they service their own cars and do loads of work but aren’t a mechanic… weird flex but ok

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Lost-In-The-Wood5@reddit

Every year. The cost of a service is small compared to the value of the car.

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Kwayzar9111@reddit

Oil Change Filter Change every MOT date. regardless of how many miles i do,

previous car was an Insignia 2Litre Turbo Diesel 2011 plate and sold it last month -210k miles since new, engine still quiet and drives like a dream - i do wish i kept it if my garage was big enough..

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Stunning-Pudding-514@reddit

When i started driving many years ago i used to service my cars twice a year as i was doing over 10k miles per year, now i do about 4.5k miles i only service it once a year.

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simracerrr@reddit

Every 5k miles. Maximum 7k. The more I researched the more I got worried.

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New_Line4049@reddit

As per the manufacturers recommended service schedule in the manual.

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Avionykx@reddit

No matter the make, you can always tell a well serviced car.

I have always taken the manufacturers recommended oil change interval (say 10,000 miles) and halved it.

I do a 5,000 mile oil and filters change and then do a full fluid change of everything every 10,000 miles.

Learned to do it myself, it tends to take less than an hour and even on a car with more filters etc it can generally be done for less than £120. My girlfriends Clio you can get the full oil and filters kit with OEM parts for about £80 and it's certainly less than an hour.

Easy to do on the drive and a very satisfying job to know is done well.

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Iveness92@reddit

10k miles or 1 year, which ever comes first is my general rule.

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2c0@reddit

MOT and service once a year. Typically at the main dealer because they will come and collect whilst I'm at work.

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Polz34@reddit

I do it annually but my mechanic will change between and basic and full service depending on miles done; I don't drive a lot so it's normally every 3 years I have a full service and the other 2 years are a basic tyre/oil/lights/engine check.

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mynamessaladfingers@reddit

I do 12k miles a year on average.

The schedule on mine is every 10k.

I actually have it serviced every 8k.

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Sugarlips_80@reddit

I was always taught you service and MOT so once a year. You can alternate between a full and half service (not idea what the difference is as I always have a full one).

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CowDontMeow@reddit

Depends. At least every 12months. 10-12.5k miles if purely a motorway cruiser or 6-8k miles if you’re like me and just do lots of 5mile trips, I average 7k a year so just do it yearly.

The brands I work for have 12.5k annual and 25k bi-annual services so 12.5k motorway isn’t bad on new engines.

Even if it’s a basic £90 oil+filter you get the peace of mind that someone that knows what they’re doing has given the basics a once over and it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than dealing with breakdowns and repairs.

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OkTechnician4610@reddit

Regular servicing is important even if not doing many miles. My car will tell me when it needs doing usually goes by mileage or 1 yr even it got low mileage. Diesels can get clogged dpf if not run regularly to get hot enough to burn it off.

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SPARKLING_PERRY@reddit

You can get a basic service instead of a major service. There might be particular items at the age or mileage interval, but otherwise, oil and filters and fluid top-up It can reduce trouble in the long run.

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romeo__golf@reddit

At least annually. I do mine more often because I drive around 20k/year and the manufacturer service interval is 15,500miles, so it falls roughly every 9 months.

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abstract_groove@reddit

You wife clearly knows nothing about car maintenance.

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CarDry6754@reddit

I do it every year especially if it’s an old car regardless of the miles. However this year I have a brand new car and only done 1.7k so far in 6mths so delaying a service has entered my mind but technically it’s due every year just at different severity levels.

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Lakridskaffe@reddit

We do it annually. We don’t put a lot of miles on the car - pretty much just shopping, day trips now and again, errands - but prefer to keep on top of it to avoid nasty surprises later down the line.

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5lipn5lide@reddit

Exactly. “Mini” service most years, full one every three.

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-Rhymenocerous-@reddit

And this is exactly how you make a car last 🫡

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Sir-Craven@reddit

By not using it? Yeah solid

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-Rhymenocerous-@reddit

By servicing at regular intervals. Duh

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AbbreviationsCold161@reddit

Absolutely. Skip the servicing and you'll pay for it plus plus at some point down the line. That's aside of minor things such as checking brake and tyre wear...you know the things that stop you getting killed.

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giantquail@reddit

I get an annual service about six months after the mot, so the garage is seeing it twice a year. It’s a fairly old car with 80k in the clock - it’s been very reliable so far and the garage has caught any little niggles before there’s been anything major.

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Scotchnittenpoopen@reddit

Regardless of annual miles, a service is imperative.

I always get it done, and at 66k miles, it’s even more important. Besides, they check your brakes and other important stuff (power steering for example).

I’m always amazed that people don’t think maintenance for something that transports you for long distances at 70mph isn’t needed. Not to mention the risk of some big mechanical failure causing a breakdown and scuppering your travel plans (it’s always when you are off on holiday!)

I’m a maintenance engineer and preventative is always better than reactive.

Sorry for sounding like a know it all see you next Tuesday.

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MissionLet7301@reddit

Also even though the cost can feel like it stings when you take your car for a service - it's cheaper in the long run to pay smaller amounts often for preventative maintenance rather than paying big chunks when something breaks.

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GanacheImportant8186@reddit

Quite right sir, very sensible attitude.

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Naive_Reach2007@reddit

Change the oil and oil filter yourself yearly, its very easy to do, alternatively get the garage to do it at mot time.

Better to be safe than sorry. Just keep the receipts, change plugs every 3 years, again easy job.

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EUskeptik@reddit

Service and MOT annually.

It shouldn’t need a full service every year if you’re doing such a small mileage. Alternate an oil and filter change between full services.

Due to illness I have hardly driven at all over the last 2-3 years, but I have still had oil and filter changes with the MOT each year.

-oo-

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OldBorktonian@reddit

Yes, service plus MoT every year but many service items only every two or three years. Oil every two years, AC every two or three etc.

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Mrs_B-@reddit

Also low mileage and I always have a full service with my MOT.

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RainbowPenguin1000@reddit

Every two years because I only do 2000-3000 miles a year.

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PerLin107@reddit

Annual

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TroublesZoo@reddit

I do it annually, about six weeks or so before MOT is needing done.

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ScumBucket33@reddit

I only put low mileage in as I live near my work, the shops and really it’s just my son’s football matches that put the miles on. Anyway I get a service every year at the MOT and alternate being minor and major services and the car is now 11 years old with no problems.

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sockeyejo@reddit

Learning to do it myself with the help of a mechanic friend.

Otherwise annually.

Much cheaper than driving around in ignorance until something breaks (learnt that the hard way).

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No_Pomegranate1114@reddit

I go by my car’s manufacturer recommendations, as I do a lot of mileage I get my car serviced as and when and not at MOT time.

For my car it’s a part service at the 10,000 mile interval with a full service at 20,000 miles. Spark plugs at 40,000.

If not doing that mileage I would alternate between a part service and full service each year (so a full service every 2 years).

It may be expensive but pays off in the long run. I have 120,000 miles on my clock and no issues.

On the other hand my mum will put off servicing and it has bitten her every single time, and my partner seems to constantly go for part service every year to cut costs. It does not end well…

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Glittering-Yogurt666@reddit

I do mine every 6-7k miles. i need a minimum of 2 services every year, 17 years old nearly 220k miles never had an issue

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Evening-Tomatillo-47@reddit

The manufacturer service intervals will be available. Stick to them as best you can. Doesn't have to be a main dealer

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MountainMuffin1980@reddit

We also only do 4k-6k miles a year but I get it serviced and MOTd at the same time just to avoid hassle down the line. We're not that hard up, so it's not an issue. To be boring, I put £100 a month into a pot for the car. The MOT (and any fixes), service and insurance for the year is usually easily covered by this.

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Sir-Craven@reddit

Lol we do 15k a year and it hasn't been serviced in 7 years and its a 14 year old car.

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Popular_Nerve7027@reddit

Completely made up story. Do you have any idea what oil would look like after 7 years? It literally would no longer be fluid it would be sludge and would completely block the flow. If by some miracle the car was still running every moving part would be destroyed.

Oil absorbs water and starts to separate, when the water evaporates your left with sludge. that’s why it needs changing every year regardless of miles.

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PsychologySpecific16@reddit

I bought a ford focus with no oil showing on the dipstick. I asked the bloke to fill it up and ran it for years and never opened the bonnet. 250 quid car.

It can be done because i've done it, not that i'd recommend it.

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Sir-Craven@reddit

Im not saying I haven't had oil changes, I just haven't paid for a full service.

Nice of of you to drop by though hun

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Popular_Nerve7027@reddit

That is what you’re saying and now you’re trying to back track because I’ve called out your made up story.

If you’re changing oil you’re changing the oil filter because that would also be full of sludge. An oil and filter change is a service. So you have serviced them.

Also you void the warranty of new cars if you don’t do the scheduled service maintenance. So you’re telling people to void their warranty.

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Sir-Craven@reddit

I dont drive a new car. I drive a scrap heap that people like you paid service on 15 years ago. Its not made up you can check my service book if you like. It has 1 stamp since 2014

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Popular_Nerve7027@reddit

You’re contradicting yourself. You just said you do oil changes. So you do do a service then? Do you know what a service is?

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RedNightKnight@reddit

Do you do your own oil changes, etc?

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Sir-Craven@reddit

Fuck no

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MountainMuffin1980@reddit

Yeah that's fair. My first car was 16 years old when we got it and was never serviced and never had any issues related to that. I guess I just like doing it!

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Gone_For_Lunch@reddit

Same here. A lot of garages bundle a service with a free MOT anyway. Just makes good sense.

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rtuck99@reddit

Every time it gets cleaned.

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PsychologySpecific16@reddit

Every 6 months. I do about 5-6k a year but I generally drive classics. Gearbox and diff usually yearly

Current motor is 35 years old. For the cost. Why not?

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sph666@reddit

I service mine every 6k miles, sometimes I stretch it to 7k or after each trackday (which I do a couple each year).

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Wiltix@reddit

Yes, try to get it serviced 2 months or so before the MOT so I can rectify stuff flagged by the service check before the MOT.

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Mr_Inconsistent1@reddit

Yearly, like you should. Oil degrades, parts degrade, even if you aren't using it. Don't expect me to buy your car if it has a gappy service history.

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PuzzleheadedCarob921@reddit

You’re right. She is wrong. Don’t divorce her over this but keep an eye on the situation.

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Far_Scallion_97@reddit

I usually do mine once a year alongside its MOT. Though this year I started using it for my work commute and added 10k miles in just 6 months, so it will be serviced twice this year. Generally once a year is a minimum, even if it’s just your basic oil change.

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Sea-Still5427@reddit

I do, annually with the MOT. You had a full/major service last year so you can just do the minor one this year.

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Dr-Moth@reddit

The year I got a cheap service, my brakes failed 2 months later. I didn't enjoy finding that I had no brakes while driving.

I now do a service every year, and my MOT annually 6 months away from the service. The benefit is that my car gets a health check every 6 months.

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1968Bladerunner@reddit

I walk most everywhere & drive very few miles, so only service it every 2-3 years.

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D0wnb0at@reddit

Depends on the car. That many miles with some cars you are fine, other cars get fucked.

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bars_and_plates@reddit

Depends on the car to be honest.

Back in my 500 quid banger days it would be a case of - if it makes it through the MoT, amazing, if not sell up and buy another one.

With something more like 5-10k range, annually around the time of MoT.

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Fattydog@reddit

Whichever comes first, the next service mileage, or one year.

Never go more than a year without a service, no matter what the manufacturer may say.

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Sufficient_Hotel9599@reddit

I alternate between a full service and part service each year

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SeniorMoonlight21@reddit

Normally get the MOT done around april, then get a full service around September/October just before winter hits properly.

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Head_Hacker@reddit

Look after the car and the car will look after you

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Pip1710@reddit

When I get my MOT test done, I ask for a basic service as well (oil change and filters). Then after 6 months I get everything fixed that came up on my MOT test and get a service done so I know what needs fixing with my next MOT test.

This way I get to spread the cost of my repairs, and I know what will be coming up to be fixed.

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huskydaisy@reddit

If it gets through the MOT I reward it with a service.

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Individual_Pass3933@reddit

I bought my car at 8k miles, was serviced before I took it away. Was serviced a year later (2014) as part of a free service and MOT from Ford. It serviced it in 2019 when I got the timing belt replaced (100k miles) and was just service again 4 weeks ago with the 2nd timing belt change (205k miles)

So not very often. It's 80% still good. It's making some noises but that's to be expected at 210k miles and 14 years old I guess.

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The_AJR@reddit

Engine oil deteriorates with time, not just mileage. Best thing to do is get it changed every 10k miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. Doing this is the best way to keep the car trouble free and to avoid any costly issues in the future.

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sleepyprojectionist@reddit

I only do around 6k miles a year and I still have a service every year, alternating between major and minor service.

I have a service plan. It sets me back £20 a month, but it allows me to not have to think about it. Whenever my car gets its MOT it gets serviced too.

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Brilliant-Second5749@reddit

Twice a year. I'll also do basic stuff myself. That said it's gotten more difficult on the newer cars

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Euphoric_Rough_5245@reddit

Every year we tie the service and mot together. I have to commute for work so getting them done together means no car for 1 day off rather than 2.

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ross-dirext-words137@reddit

Annually with the MOT. Unless you drive more than the service intervals then it's complicated and do mot and service when needee

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SeekerofWisd0m@reddit

Annually or every 10,000 miles

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CaptQuakers42@reddit

I have a Skoda plan on my Skoda... funnily enough.

I get two services and two MOTS and the overall cost was cheaper than paying for all of that separately.

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Lonely-Huckleberry36@reddit

Every 5-10K KM. But my HILUX does hard yards in Kenya, and it’s a Diesel! 😅

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Vodkaboris@reddit

Every 10k miles, but I do 30k a year and a working vehicle is essential for me. I'd be on the dole without it.

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GordonLivingstone@reddit

Whenever the service schedule says it should be done. Check the service book / instruction manual for the car.

Varies by car. Frequently, you will be told to change the oil every so many miles or yearly if that is earlier. If you do low miles the oil may deteriorate due to not getting hot enough. Some cars may only need changes when the car electronics decides that the mileage / time interval makes it necessary.

Other things like spark plugs, air filters, brake fluid will need changing at larger mileage - varies by car.

Things like cam belts will have change intervals like 60,000 miles or ten years - actual number depending on the car - and need to be done or the engine can blow up

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Seaside83@reddit

Every year with it's MOT. I generally do under 8k miles a year, the handbook says to service it every 10k (I think).

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ForestCl0uds@reddit

I do service and MOT at the same time. I like the peace of mind.

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xSamxiSKiLLz@reddit

Oil should be changed annually, even if it's not reached the mileage limit as it will oxidize with exposure to air and break down. Unless you were also going to service it in 2 months time, I'd just get it done with the MOT to save the hassle.

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yesterdaysomelette22@reddit

I do an oil and filter change every 7500 miles then air filter / cabin filter once a year. Other than that I follow the service intervals provided.

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Jamz3k@reddit

Annually, generally just before MOT. My Honda does around 8,000miles and my BMW did 3,500miles but I do the servicing myself so even using genuine oils and filters, it isn’t horrific.

Forgot to do the missus’ car last year as she started working from home and just did it yesterday….what a disaster that turned into.

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