How Often Should I Service My Car? A Straightforward Guide

15 February 2026 · 5 min read

The baseline: annual servicing and the 12-month rule

Most manufacturers recommend servicing every 12 months or every 10,000 to 12,000 miles — whichever comes first. For a typical family car covering average mileage, an annual full service keeps the engine oil fresh, filters changed, and key safety components checked on a regular cycle.

The 12-month figure is not arbitrary. Engine oil degrades over time through moisture absorption and oxidation, regardless of how many miles the car has covered. A car that covers a low mileage but is three or four years since its last oil change still needs that oil changed — the chemistry has broken down even if the miles have not accumulated.

When annual servicing is not enough

For drivers covering more than 15,000 miles a year — tradespeople, long-distance commuters, delivery workers — the annual schedule means the engine oil is significantly degraded before it is changed. Oil breaks down over mileage as well as time. Leaving degraded oil in the engine increases wear on internal components, and the cost of that damage over years is far higher than the cost of an extra oil and filter change.

An interim service — oil, filter, and a core safety inspection — at the six-month or 7,500-mile mark is the right answer for higher-mileage drivers. The cost is modest and the protection it provides to the engine is real. If you are unsure whether your mileage warrants an interim, call us on 07494 990846 and we will give you an honest opinion.

Interim, full, and major service — what is the difference

An interim service covers the essentials: oil and filter change, tyre condition and pressures, brake check, fluid levels, and lights. It is the minimum needed to keep the engine in good health and catch developing safety issues between full services.

A full service goes further — air filter, pollen filter, fuel filter, spark plugs on petrols, exhaust system, suspension and steering inspection, and a detailed check of all safety-critical components. A major service, typically due every two years or 24,000 miles, adds transmission fluids, brake fluid renewal, and timing belt assessment where applicable to the engine and age of the vehicle.

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Need help with your car?

Talk to the team at Nick and Stefan Motor Works in Brierley Hill — honest advice and a straightforward booking.

Call 07494 990846