The honest answer is that it depends on your car and how you use it, but there are simple rules of thumb that keep most drivers on the right side of trouble.
The usual guidance
As a general rule, a full service once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, suits most cars. Higher-mileage drivers often add an interim service in between, roughly every six months or 6,000 miles, to keep the oil fresh.
The whichever-comes-first part matters. A car that only does 3,000 miles a year still needs servicing annually, because oil degrades with time and short journeys are harder on an engine than long ones.
Check your handbook first
Your manufacturer sets a recommended interval, and some modern cars use a variable service indicator that adjusts to how you drive. Sticking to that schedule is also what keeps a warranty valid, so it is always the first place to look.
When to service more often
- Lots of short, stop-start journeys that never fully warm the engine
- Frequent towing or heavy loads
- High annual mileage
- Older cars, where a closer eye pays off
Not sure where you stand?
If you are not certain when your car was last serviced, it is worth getting it checked. Tell us your mileage and how you use the car and we will recommend a sensible interval. There is no benefit to over-servicing, and real risk in leaving it too long.