How often should you service your car?
Regular car servicing is an important part of vehicle maintenance, helping to keep your car safe, reliable and running efficiently. Most manufacturers recommend servicing your vehicle every year or after a certain mileage, but the exact interval depends on your car's make, model, and service schedule.
In this guide, we’ll explain how often you should service your car, what happens during a service and how National Tyres and Autocare can help with a range of servicing options for cars and vans.
What car servicing options are available?
National Tyres and Autocare offers a range of car servicing options to suit different vehicles and maintenance needs. Regular servicing helps keep your vehicle safe, reliable and running efficiently, with the right service depending on your car’s age, mileage and manufacturer recommendations.
Our servicing options include:
-Oil and Filter Service: Ideal for drivers looking for extra reassurance before a long journey or after their vehicle has been unused for an extended period. This service focuses on replacing engine oil and the oil filter to help maintain engine performance.
- Interim Service: A more detailed check than an Oil and Filter Service, designed to help maintain your vehicle between full services. Many drivers choose an interim service partway between their recommended service intervals or every 6,000 miles.
- Full Service: A 60+ checks service option, intended as an annual inspection or for every 12,000 miles driven, which also includes an air filter change, worth up to £70.
- Major Service: Our most comprehensive service option, including a 70+ point vehicle check to assess key components and help identify any potential issues, including a cabin filter and brake fluid change, combined worth up to £114.99.
Your vehicle can be serviced at your local National Tyres and Autocare branch by trained technicians. To find out more about the checks included in each servicing option, explore our servicing packages page.
How often should you service your car?
Regular servicing helps keep your vehicle safe, reliable and running efficiently. The recommended service interval depends on your vehicle’s manufacturer guidelines, age and mileage, so always check your owner’s manual for the correct schedule.
Some vehicles may also display a dashboard warning light when a service is due. If you’re unsure what a warning light means, check our guide to dashboard warning lights.
Oil and Filter Service
An Oil and Filter Service is a basic maintenance option designed to help keep your engine running smoothly. It can be useful if your vehicle has been unused for an extended period or if you want extra reassurance before a long journey.
Interim Service
An Interim Service is a 50+ point check designed for drivers who want to maintain their vehicle between full services. It can be particularly useful for higher-mileage drivers or before longer journeys, helping to identify potential issues before they become bigger problems.
An Interim Service includes a range of vehicle checks, such as an engine oil and oil filter change, and can help maintain your car’s service history. Keeping a regular service history may also help support your vehicle’s resale value.
Full Service
National Tyres recommends a Full Service for a more thorough vehicle check as part of your regular maintenance schedule and is designed for every 12 months or 12,000 miles. It includes the checks covered in an Oil and Filter Service and Interim Service, along with additional inspections to assess your vehicle’s condition.
Major Service
Our most thorough service option is a Major Service, which involves a full range of 70+ point vehicle checks, ideal for every 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever arrives first.
Car Servicing by manufacturer
National Tyres and Autocare provides servicing options for a wide range of makes and models, using OE-approved parts that come with a 24-month/24,000-mile guarantee (whichever comes first), to support the quality of your vehicle’s maintenance.
Choosing the right service for your vehicle can help maintain performance, safety and reliability. If you’re unsure which service your car needs, your local National Tyres and Autocare branch can help you find the right option.
Should you book your MOT and service together?
For maximum convenience, consider booking your MOT and car service at the same time. Combining both appointments can save you time by reducing the number of trips to the garage, while also helping you save money with up to 50% off your MOT when booked alongside a service.
Our MOT and Service combination options include:
- Interim Service + MOT: Ideal for maintaining your vehicle between full services.
- Full Service + MOT: A more comprehensive check to help keep your vehicle running smoothly.
- Major Service + MOT: Our most extensive servicing option for thorough vehicle maintenance and recommended every 2 years.
To find the right option for your vehicle, simply enter your registration and postcode into our vehicle service checker tool to receive a personalised recommendation.
How long does a car service take?
The length of a car service depends on the type of service your vehicle's booked in for. An Oil and Filter Service is usually quicker, while more comprehensive services require extra checks and can take longer.
While many services can be completed within a few hours, we recommend allowing your vehicle to be with the branch for the day. The exact time depends on the service selected and whether any additional work is required.
How much does a car service cost?
The cost of a car service depends on the level of service your vehicle needs, as well as your vehicle’s engine size. An Oil and Filter Service is usually the most affordable option, while Full and Major Services include additional checks and maintenance, making them more comprehensive options.
At National Tyres, we offer flexible payment plans to support you with managing the cost of a service, including Payment Assist to help spread the cost.
On spends over £99, you can pay 10% today and split the rest over 3 balanced monthly payments, interest-free.*
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Regular car servicing helps maintain your vehicle’s safety, reliability and performance, while helping to identify potential issues before they become bigger problems. Whether you need an Oil and Filter Service, Interim Service, Full Service or Major Service, National Tyres and Autocare can help you find the right option for your vehicle. Book your service online today to keep your car running smoothly and enjoy greater peace of mind.
*Late fees may apply and affect your credit rating.
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