Maintenance Schedule Guide
Keep your vehicle running smoothly with proper maintenance. Learn what needs servicing when, typical costs, and how to avoid expensive failures through preventative care.
Why Regular Maintenance Matters
Proper servicing prevents breakdowns, maintains vehicle value, and saves money long-term. Neglected maintenance leads to expensive failures, reduced fuel economy, and potentially dangerous mechanical issues. Following the schedule also maintains warranty coverage and provides full service history for resale.
Modern cars are more reliable than ever, but they still need regular attention. This guide covers typical maintenance intervals. Always check your vehicle handbook for manufacturer-specific requirements.
Every Week or Before Long Journeys
Engine oil level
Check with engine cold on level ground. Top up if below minimum mark. Use correct grade from handbook. Low oil causes engine damage. Takes 2 minutes, costs nothing.
Tyre pressures and condition
Check all tyres including spare. Adjust to handbook specifications (usually on driver door jamb). Inspect for cuts, bulges, or uneven wear. Correct pressure improves safety and fuel economy.
Lights and indicators
Test all lights work properly. Ask helper or use reflections in garage door. Replace blown bulbs immediately. Illegal to drive with faulty lights. MOT failure point.
Windscreen washer fluid
Top up reservoir with screenwash mixture. Use proper screenwash, not just water (freezes in winter, doesn't clean properly). Essential for visibility and safety.
Every Month
Coolant level
Check when engine cold. Should be between min and max marks. Never remove cap when hot. Top up with correct coolant mixture (50/50 antifreeze and water). Low levels cause overheating.
Brake fluid level
Check reservoir level. Should be near maximum mark. Gradual decrease normal as brake pads wear. Sudden drop indicates leak. Brake fluid absorbs moisture so needs changing every 2-3 years.
Power steering fluid (if applicable)
Many modern cars use electric power steering (no fluid). If your car has hydraulic steering, check level monthly. Low fluid makes steering heavy. Leaks need urgent attention.
Every 12 Months or 12,000 Miles
Full service (oil and filter)
Engine oil and filter change essential. Includes safety checks, fluid top-ups, and visual inspection. Cost: £150-250. Maintains warranty and prevents engine wear. Never skip annual service.
Air filter inspection
Clean air filter improves fuel economy and engine performance. Replace if dirty or damaged. Cost: £15-40. Easy DIY job on many cars. Check more frequently in dusty conditions.
Wiper blades
Replace if smearing or chattering. Critical for visibility in rain. Cost: £15-30 pair. Simple DIY replacement. Consider upgrading to premium blades for better performance.
MOT test (if due)
Legal requirement for vehicles over 3 years old. Test costs £54.85 maximum. Book 1-2 weeks before expiry to allow time for repairs. Check MOT history first to anticipate issues.
Every 2 Years or 24,000 Miles
Major service
Comprehensive service including all annual items plus additional checks. Spark plugs, fuel filter, cabin filter replacement. Brake inspection. Cost: £250-400. Alternates with annual service.
Brake fluid change
Brake fluid absorbs moisture reducing effectiveness. Complete fluid replacement every 2-3 years. Cost: £50-80. Often included in major service. Critical for braking performance and ABS function.
Coolant change
Antifreeze loses effectiveness over time. Protects against freezing and corrosion. Follow manufacturer intervals (typically 2-5 years). Cost: £60-100. Use correct specification for your car.
Every 4-6 Years or 60,000-80,000 Miles
Timing belt (cambelt) replacement
CRITICAL maintenance item. Belt failure destroys engine. Replacement costs £400-800. Water pump usually replaced at same time. Check handbook for exact interval. Never exceed manufacturer schedule.
Water pump
Often replaced with timing belt as labor overlaps. Failure causes overheating and belt damage. Separate replacement costs £200-400. Smart to replace proactively with belt rather than wait for failure.
Auxiliary drive belt
Drives alternator, air conditioning, power steering. Check for cracks or fraying. Replacement costs £50-150. Failure leaves you stranded. Inspect at every service, replace when worn.
As Needed (Condition-Based)
Brake pads and discs
Front pads typically 25,000-40,000 miles. Rear pads 50,000-70,000 miles. Discs last 60,000-100,000 miles. Costs: pads £80-150, discs £100-200 per axle. Squealing or reduced performance indicates replacement needed.
Tyres
Replace when tread below 3mm (legal minimum 1.6mm). Typical life 20,000-40,000 miles depending on driving style. Budget tyres £50-80 each. Premium tyres £100-200 each. Affects safety, fuel economy, and handling.
Battery
Typical life 4-6 years. Gradual loss of cranking power indicates aging. Test annually after 3 years. Replacement costs £60-150. Cold weather kills weak batteries. Some premium cars have expensive batteries (£200+).
Clutch (manual cars)
Life varies hugely: 50,000-150,000 miles. Slipping, difficulty changing gear, or biting point change indicates wear. Replacement costs £400-1,000. Driving style affects longevity significantly.
Shock absorbers
Wear gradually over 60,000-100,000 miles. Bouncy ride, nose-diving when braking, or uneven tyre wear suggest replacement needed. Cost: £300-600 per axle. Affects handling and safety.
Exhaust system
Rust and corrosion eventual on older cars. Back box typically fails first. Replacement sections: £100-300. Complete system: £400-800. Loud noise or visible rust holes indicate replacement needed.
Diesel-Specific Maintenance
DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)
Needs regular regeneration (burns off soot). Long motorway runs help. Short journeys cause blockages. DPF cleaning: £100-200. Replacement: £1,000-2,500. Warning light needs immediate attention.
EGR valve cleaning
Recirculates exhaust gases. Gets clogged with soot. Cleaning: £80-150. Replacement: £200-400. Poor performance and black smoke indicate issues. More frequent cleaning if used for short trips.
Fuel filter changes
More critical for diesels than petrol. Replace every 20,000-30,000 miles. Costs £40-80. Water separator may need draining. Clogged filter causes poor running and starting issues.
Money-Saving Maintenance Tips
- Use independent specialists rather than main dealers after warranty expires
- Buy quality parts but shop around for best prices
- Learn simple DIY tasks: air filters, wiper blades, bulbs
- Service on time to prevent expensive failures
- Keep all receipts and stamps in service book
- Address advisories promptly before they become MOT failures
- Regular short runs harm diesel engines more than petrol
- Extended warranties worth considering for complex vehicles
Service History Importance
Full service history significantly affects resale value. Missing service stamps or gaps in history make vehicles harder to sell and reduce prices by hundreds or thousands of pounds.
What counts as proof
Stamped service book ideal. Receipts from independent garages acceptable. Digital records increasingly common. Keep all documentation safe. Invoice should detail work performed and parts used.
Missing history
Difficult to verify maintenance. Buyers assume worst and offer less. Some critical work like cambelt impossible to verify without documentation. Always maintain records throughout ownership.
Check Your Vehicle's MOT History
Review advisories to see what maintenance might be needed soon. Plan ahead for expected repairs.
Check MOT History