The Difference Between a Full Service and an Interim Service

  • Servicing
  • Maintenance

FixMyCar discusses the ins and outs of car servicing.

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Ellie Dyer-Brown

Tuesday September 24 2024

4 min read

The cost of servicing can soon add up, making it tempting to skip your next appointment and save the cash instead - we’ve all been there. However, understanding what you’re getting for your money can help to put into perspective the expense and the benefits of having a service done. 

This guide explains the difference between a full service and an interim service, discussing what's included and why servicing is so vital for the long-term health of your car.


Key differences

Interim services are recommended for low-mileage drivers or high-mileage drivers who want peace of mind between annual services. For anyone with moderate mileage, booking a full service each year should be enough to keep your car in good shape.

Interim service Full service
Interval Every six months or 6,000 miles Every 12 months or 12,000 miles
Checks 30+ 60+
How long it takes One to two hours Two to three hours
Average price £139.46 £194.92

Things that are often done in a full service but not an interim service include:

  • Air filter replacement

  • Full brake inspection

  • Check of the exhaust and fuel systems

  • Check of the radiator and coolant hoses

  • Check of engine diagnostic codes


What is a full service?

Typically, a full service will take around three hours to complete. It consists of 60+ checks to make sure your car is safe and in good condition.

Car service

An MOT is not the same as a service. An MOT is a legal requirement to check whether your vehicle meets safety and environmental standards. In contrast, servicing is optional (but highly recommended) and keeps your car in the best possible condition. As such, many people decide to book both at the same time.

Full service checks typically include:

How much does a full service cost?

According to our data, the average price of a full service is £202.07. This guide discusses the average prices for different car manufacturers.


What is an interim service?

An interim service is less comprehensive than a full service and takes less time - usually about an hour and a half. It is the most basic level of servicing designed for low-mileage drivers and anyone who likes to get their car checked between annual services.  

An interim service typically includes checks of the:

How much does an interim service cost?

The average price of an interim service is £145.37 when you book through FixMyCar. Find out how prices vary between manufacturers in this guide.


Should I book an interim service or full service?

Now that you know the main differences between a full and interim service, you should have a better idea of which one your car needs based on when it was last serviced and how many miles you cover.

You should book a full service every year or whenever you hit 12,000 miles. But if you cover substantially more miles in a year, it’s also a good idea to book an interim service between annual services.

vehicle check or service
iStock.com/Pattanaphong Khuankaew

Ready to book your car in for a service?

The checks included in a full or interim service will often vary between garages - for this reason, it’s worth comparing them before you book to ensure you’re getting the best value. FixMyCar makes the comparison process easy - all you have to do is enter your details, and you’ll receive quotes straight to your inbox.

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Written by Ellie

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Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.

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