How Much Does an Oil Change Cost?
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 6 months ago
1 min read
- Cost
- Maintenance
FixMyCar reveals how much an oil change costs on average.
Changing your engine oil every so often is a vital part of car maintenance. This guide discusses how often you should replace it, why it matters, and how much it's likely to cost.
Contents
How much is an oil change?
The average price for an oil change is £104.50 for all makes and models, according to FixMyCar's data.
Oil change price by manufacturer
| Car Make | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Audi | £106.29 |
| BMW | £111.11 |
| Citroen | £101.61 |
| Ford | £103.21 |
| Mercedes | £113.72 |
| MINI | £101.88 |
| Nissan | £102.65 |
| Peugeot | £101.04 |
| Renault | £100.36 |
| Toyota | £102.13 |
| Vauxhall | £102.07 |
| Volkswagen | £103.40 |
| Volvo | £110.65 |
Why do cars need oil changes?
Engine oil is the lifeblood of any car and the key ingredient to a healthy engine. The longer it runs through your engine, the dirtier it gets. Dirty oil can't lubricate or protect components efficiently and will eventually cause damage, so it needs to be replaced periodically.
It's also important to use the right oil for your car - find out why in this guide.
In modern cars, a yellow service warning light will appear on the dashboard when it's time for an oil change. As soon as this happens, you should take your car to a garage. A change is recommended roughly every 3,000 miles, though if you use a synthetic variety, you may be able to go longer. Booking an annual full service is an excellent way to stay on top of oil changes.
Because the changing process is not complicated, you could try it at home. However, it can be very messy, as it involves draining old oil from underneath the car. For this reason, most drivers book an oil change rather than doing it themselves.
Why is it important to have a filter change?
Replacing the oil filter is just as important as changing the oil. Its job is to remove contaminants that accumulate in the oil over time, keeping it cleaner for longer. When the filter becomes clogged, dirty oil will circulate around the system, decreasing the engine's performance and causing damage.
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Written by Ellie
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 in a language they 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.