Are Car Service Plans Worth It?

How much does a car service cost?

Regular servicing is absolutely crucial to the long-term health of your car - and your wallet. But how much should you pay for a service? Our guide will explain it all

Why does my car need a service?

Many car owners don’t see the need for servicing and use the annual MoT test as an examination of their car’s faults, or alternatively wait until a part stops working before paying to get it fixed. That logic is partly understandable - why pay money out on something that is working perfectly? - but as with the health of your own body, prevention is much better than a cure. In addition, the MoT test just ensures a vehicle is legal to drive on the road, and nothing more. An MoT pass certificate is no guarantee of a car’s overall health.

Scheduled maintenance based on a car’s age, the amount of miles it is covering and the way it is used will not only save you money in the long-term by reducing the likelihood of big repair bills, it will also help to maintain the value of your car. If you were buying a used vehicle, wouldn’t you want the one that has been serviced every 12,000 miles without fail?

What is a service plan?

Instead of paying for your services when they are required, a service plan guarantees certain elements of servicing over a set period for a fixed price. On new cars this is often a lump sum bundled into the cost of the price, or you can buy your own service plan for older cars from a variety of service centres, either as a lump sum or a monthly basis.

Is a service plan worth it?

If you hate the thought of big bills it can be a sensible option, allowing you to spread the cost of servicing into a monthly payment as you might also do with VED and car insurance. Many plans also roll in annual MoT tests too, so up to a point you plan maintenance costs over several years.

The only caveats to this come in the small print, and what is and is not included within the bundled price. It is highly likely you will have to pay for the replacement of some consumable items if they are picked up as needing attention during a planned service, such as brake discs and tyres, so you need to factor this in accordingly.

How much does a service cost?

Prices will vary by location, the size of the service and sometimes the vehicle too, with high performance cars and those with larger engines sometimes paying more. As a general guide however expect to pay anywhere between £50 and £80 for a minor service and between £100 and £200 for a full or major service. It is always worth shopping around for quotes, comparing prices and service items to ensure you get the best deal. The Honest John Good Garage Guide will help you find the best-rated garages in your area. 

What kinds of car servicing are there?

Different garages may have their own names for the types of service they offer, but they will generally be either a minor or interim service and a major or full service. The theory is that you should alternate between the two so that your car receives a service once a year or every 10-12,000 miles. Service schedules do vary depending on the age of your vehicle, so it is important to check the handbook. Don’t rely solely on the car’s service indicator either - you shouldn’t let your car go more than 18 months without servicing even if it has covered very few miles.

What is included in the different types of service also varies between garages, so it is important to check carefully. All types of service will mean some parts or fluids are replaced while some are only checked; a check rarely costs money or takes very much time so it is the elements that are replaced that contribute the bulk of the cost, so these are the crucial elements.

It is also important to consider items that won’t be replaced during a service. Brake pads and discs may be checked but won’t be changed and the same goes for tyres. These are consumable items that will wear out depending on the usage of the vehicle, so they should be checked and replaced outside of the normal servicing schedule.