How often should I service my car?

Most modern cars need an oil service every 5,000–10,000 miles (8,000–16,000 km) or every 12 months, whichever comes first. Larger services stack on top at 15,000, 30,000, 60,000 and 100,000 miles. Always treat the manufacturer's schedule as the ceiling, not the target.

What is the difference between a minor and a major service?

A minor service is oil, filter and safety checks. A major service adds wear items — spark plugs, fluids, filters, belts — and typically falls at the 60,000 mile mark and again at 100,000+.

Does severe driving change the schedule?

Yes. Short trips under 10 minutes, heavy towing, stop-start traffic, dusty or gravel roads and extreme temperatures all count as severe duty. Shorten every interval by roughly 20–30% if most of your driving falls into these categories.

What happens if I skip the timing belt at 100,000 miles?

On an interference engine — most modern designs — a snapped timing belt lets the pistons hit the valves. The repair usually costs more than the vehicle is worth. This is the one interval never worth stretching.

How do I convert a mileage schedule to kilometres?

Multiply miles by 1.609. So 5,000 miles ≈ 8,000 km, 30,000 miles ≈ 48,000 km, and 100,000 miles ≈ 160,000 km. Most manufacturers publish both figures in the owner's manual.

Servicing

Car maintenance schedule by mileage: what to service and when

Service intervals are not arbitrary — each one exists because a specific component wears out at a predictable rate. This guide breaks down what actually needs doing at every major mileage milestone, in both miles and kilometres.

How service intervals work

Every schedule runs on two clocks: distance and time. Whichever arrives first wins. A car doing 3,000 miles a year still needs an annual oil change, because oil absorbs moisture and acids whether the vehicle moves or not. Manufacturer intervals also assume normal duty — the real schedule for your vehicle depends on how you actually drive it.

The mileage schedule

Every 5,000 miles

~8,000 km

The basic service. Cheap, frequent, and the single biggest factor in engine life.

Engine oil and oil filter change
Tyre pressure check and rotation
Top up washer fluid, coolant and brake fluid levels
Visual check of belts, hoses and for fluid leaks
Wiper blade condition

Every 15,000 miles

~24,000 km

Add the filters and a proper brake inspection to the basic service.

Engine air filter replacement (sooner in dusty conditions)
Cabin/pollen filter replacement
Brake pad thickness and disc condition inspection
Battery terminals, charge state and mounting
Suspension and steering play check

Every 30,000 miles

~48,000 km

The mid-life service where wear items start needing replacement, not just inspection.

Brake fluid flush (hygroscopic — degrades on time as well as distance)
Fuel filter replacement on most diesels
Spark plugs on many petrol engines (check your manual)
Automatic transmission fluid inspection
Full brake service — pads commonly due around here
Wheel alignment check

Every 60,000 miles

~96,000 km

The major service. Budget for it in advance — this is where costs cluster.

Coolant drain and refill
Transmission fluid and filter service
Spark plugs and ignition coils on most petrol engines
Brake discs commonly replaced alongside pads
Tyres typically due for replacement
Shock absorber and bush condition assessment
Serpentine/accessory belt replacement

Every 100,000 miles

~160,000 km

The big-ticket interval. Skipping the timing belt here can end the engine.

Timing belt and water pump on belt-driven engines — non-negotiable
Full coolant system service including thermostat
Differential and transfer case fluid on 4x4s
Oxygen sensors and PCV valve
Suspension overhaul — shocks, bushes, ball joints
Comprehensive diagnostic scan for stored fault codes

VehicleIQ tracks your odometer and fires a reminder before each of these intervals lands. Pair it with the running cost calculator to budget the big ones, or read the fleet maintenance guide if you run more than one vehicle.

When to shorten the intervals

Short trips. Journeys under 10 minutes never let the oil reach temperature, so moisture and fuel dilution build up.
Towing or heavy loads. Higher engine and transmission temperatures shorten fluid life significantly.
Dust and gravel. Air filters clog several times faster; check rather than assume.
Extreme temperatures. Both heat and repeated cold starts accelerate oil and battery degradation.
High-mileage engines. Past roughly 150,000 miles, tighter oil intervals and more frequent inspections buy real longevity.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I service my car?: Most modern cars need an oil service every 5,000–10,000 miles (8,000–16,000 km) or every 12 months, whichever comes first. Larger services stack on top at 15,000, 30,000, 60,000 and 100,000 miles. Always treat the manufacturer's schedule as the ceiling, not the target.
What is the difference between a minor and a major service?: A minor service is oil, filter and safety checks. A major service adds wear items — spark plugs, fluids, filters, belts — and typically falls at the 60,000 mile mark and again at 100,000+.
Does severe driving change the schedule?: Yes. Short trips under 10 minutes, heavy towing, stop-start traffic, dusty or gravel roads and extreme temperatures all count as severe duty. Shorten every interval by roughly 20–30% if most of your driving falls into these categories.
What happens if I skip the timing belt at 100,000 miles?: On an interference engine — most modern designs — a snapped timing belt lets the pistons hit the valves. The repair usually costs more than the vehicle is worth. This is the one interval never worth stretching.
How do I convert a mileage schedule to kilometres?: Multiply miles by 1.609. So 5,000 miles ≈ 8,000 km, 30,000 miles ≈ 48,000 km, and 100,000 miles ≈ 160,000 km. Most manufacturers publish both figures in the owner's manual.

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