How Much Does an Oil Change Cost?
FixMyCar reveals how much an oil change costs on average.
Book an oil change nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Thursday July 31 2025
4 min read
Changing your engine oil every so often is an important part of car maintenance. It keeps your vehicle healthy and protects vital engine parts from damage.
This guide discusses how often you should replace your engine oil, why it matters, and how much it's likely to cost.
How much is an oil change?
An oil change will typically cost between £40 and £200. The average price on FixMyCar is £115.38.
The price depends on the make/model of your car, how much oil it needs, and the type of oil.
Some premium engine oils are designed to increase your car’s efficiency and have performance-enhancing qualities - these tend to be more expensive. Well-known brands may also charge more because they have a reputation for producing high-quality products.
Another factor affecting the price is where you live. Cities tend to have higher labour rates (often between £50-£100) compared to towns and rural areas (£35-£50).
Oil change price by make
| Car Make | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Audi | £117.47 |
| BMW | £121.31 |
| Citroen | £113.56 |
| Ford | £114.59 |
| Mercedes | £122.22 |
| MINI | £112.01 |
| Nissan | £112.67 |
| Peugeot | £111.54 |
| Renault | £112.33 |
| Toyota | £111.84 |
| Vauxhall | £113.81 |
| Volkswagen | £114.32 |
| Volvo | £121.23 |
Oil change price by model
Below are the average prices for a range of popular car models.
| Model | Average price |
|---|---|
| Audi A3 | £111.52 |
| BMW 1 Series | £118.44 |
| Ford Puma | £107.91 |
| Kia Sportage | £121.67 |
| Nissan Juke | £113.17 |
| Nissan Qashqai | £112.74 |
| Volkswagen Golf | £113.56 |
Why do cars need oil changes?
Engine oil is the key ingredient to a healthy engine. But the longer it’s in use, the dirtier it gets.
Imagine trying to wash your dishes with the same washing-up water after every meal - it wouldn’t work very well, would it? The same principle applies to engine oil. When it’s dirty, it can’t lubricate and protect engine parts, leaving them vulnerable to damage.
It’s also crucial to use the right engine oil for your vehicle. Find out why in this guide.
How often should I change my car’s engine oil?
In modern cars, a yellow service warning light will appear on the dashboard when it's time for an oil change. When this happens, you should take your vehicle to a garage.
The mileage between oil changes is generally between 7,000 and 10,000 miles. Check your owner's manual to find the correct interval for your specific make and model of car.
Booking an annual full-service is an excellent way to stay on top of oil changes if you don't fancy keeping track of your mileage.
Changing engine oil isn't complicated, so you could try it at home. However, it can be very messy, as it involves draining old oil from underneath the car. Most drivers book an oil change rather than doing it themselves.
How to tell when your oil needs changing
Over time, engine oil loses its ability to lubricate parts. Here are some signs that your oil needs changing:
Oil is dark in colour or gritty (you can check using the dipstick)
Oil level keeps dropping even when you regularly top it up
Increased engine noise
High mileage since last oil change
Why is it important to change the oil filter?
The oil filter's job is to remove contaminants that accumulate in the oil over time, keeping it cleaner for longer. When it becomes clogged, dirty oil will circulate through the system, decreasing the engine's performance and causing damage. That's why replacing the filter is equally important as changing the oil.
Common engine oil problems
If you notice either of these issues with your engine oil, you should have it checked by a mechanic as there might be an underlying problem.
1. Engine oil ‘mayonnaise’
A thick, white substance under your oil filler cap that looks like mayonnaise indicates that coolant has mixed with the oil. Typically, this happens when the head gasket or air cooler has blown. You should take your car to the garage urgently because a blown head gasket can seriously damage your engine.
2. Sludgy oil
Sludgy oil is thick and gel-like. It sometimes builds up in internal combustion engines and can be a sign of coolant contamination. You should book an oil and filter change if your engine oil seems thick when you check it with the dipstick.
If you found this guide helpful, you might also like:
- Related topics:
- Cost
- Engine Oil
- Oil Change
- Servicing And Mot
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. 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.