Engine oil and filter change

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£104.50

Average quote for an oil change

What is an engine oil change?

Engine oil, sometimes called motor oil, is a lubricant that your engine needs to keep moving smoothly and quickly. Without it, friction will build up, and your engine can overheat. Your engine oil can become contaminated over time, which will cause it to need changing.

Oil change average costs and prices

The average cost of an oil change booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £104.50. If you get an oil change and a filter change at the same time, it should only cost you slightly more.

The exact amount you pay for an engine oil change will depend on the type of car you have. You can explore average prices for the most popular vehicle makes using the table below.

Car MakeAverage 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

Which car oil service do you need?

There are a couple of services you can ask your mechanic to perform when you get an oil change. Either your mechanic can simply change the oil, or they can replace the oil and filter for only a small extra cost.

  • Oil change

    The average price of an oil change booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £104.50.

    Can include
    • Oil change
  • Oil and filter change

    The average price of an oil and filter change booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £104.50.

    Can include
    • Oil change
    • Filter change
  • I don't know

    If you’re not sure what service your car needs, a professional can assess your vehicle and recommended the right repairs and services.

    Can include
    • Diagnostic

How to tell you need an oil change

Engine oil needs to be changed at regular intervals to keep things working smoothly in your car. However, some key signs tell you that the job is overdue.

If you notice any of these symptoms, book in for an oil change straight away to avoid causing any damage to your engine.

  • Excess exhaust fumes

  • Dashboard warning light

  • Loud engine noise

  • Ticking noise at ignition

oil-warning-light

Another good way to know if it’s time for an oil change is to inspect your engine oil. Locate the dipstick under the bonnet of your car near the engine and remove it to check the condition. If your engine oil is dark brown or feels gritty when you rub it between your fingers, it’s time for a change.

When do I need an oil change?

You should get an oil and oil filter change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Your engine oil keeps moving parts working without friction. It’s crucial to stop your engine from overheating. Meanwhile, your oil filter helps remove any large debris from the system and is the first line of defensive when your engine oil starts to pick up contaminants from fuel burning.

If you don’t change your oil at the recommended intervals, your engine oil will become contaminated with dirt, which will eventually stop it from doing its job. This can lead to an overheated engine.

If you notice any signs that it’s time for an oil change, then it’s essential to book yourself in for one as soon as possible to avoid causing further damage to your vehicle. 

If you’re changing your oil, it’s usually worth changing your filter at the same time, as both work together to keep the system clean.

Mechanic changing oil engine

What impacts the cost of an oil change?

The type of engine oil your car uses impacts the price you will pay for a change. You can find out what kind of oil your vehicle takes by checking the manual. It’s crucial to make sure you don’t put the wrong type of oil in because it can be costly to flush the system and refill it again.

Conventional motor oil

Conventional oil is graded based on its thickness and fluidity. The professional term for this is viscosity. Each grade is blended to suit a particular car, environment and driving style. 

Synthetic motor oil

Synthetic engine oil is the highest grade of oil as it is carefully crafted to ensure the highest level of lubrication and engine protection. 

Synthetic blend motor oils

Synthetic blend engine oil is a mixture of conventional and synthetic types. This type of oil is recommended for most vans, lorries or heavily loaded vehicles as it works hard to keep engine temperatures low under pressure.

High-mileage motor oil

High-mileage engine oil is, unsurprisingly, suited to vehicles that cover or have covered lots of miles. This blend has a unique mixture of additives and viscosity, which reduces burn off. It also helps to seal leaks and improves engine compression.

Oil top-up versus oil change prices

An oil top-up is a standard maintenance job often done more regularly than a complete oil change. It’s a way to prolong the quality of your oil until it gets contaminated.

Typically, engine oil top-ups cost less than an oil change. An oil top-up simply involves filling the oil chamber back to the maximum level, whereas an oil change involves flushing the system and refilling it entirely.

Your oil will usually be topped up in your interim or full service. However, if you find you need an oil top-up between services, you could avoid paying for it at all by doing it yourself. Here’s how to top up your oil at home:

  • Open up the car bonnet.

  • Locate the engine oil dipstick near the engine.

  • Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean.

  • Push the dipstick back into the tube.

  • Remove the dipstick again. 

  • Check where the oil streak on the dipstick sits. If it’s outside of the two markers, it’s time to top up.

  • Take off the oil filler cap and get your engine oil ready.

  • Carefully pour your oil in using a funnel to avoid spillage.

  • Add a little at a time.

  • Use the dipstick to check when the level falls between the two markers.

Find garages near you or get an oil change at home

It won’t be difficult to find a garage for your oil change. An oil change is a straightforward job that any garage or mechanic should be able to carry out. 

If you want to avoid the hassle of dropping off and picking up your car at the garage, you could even opt to get your oil changed at home. A mobile mechanic will be able to travel to you to carry out your oil change where you are.

However, it’s more common to get an oil change carried out during a routine service, and you may end up paying a little more for the call out. 

How much is an oil change?

The average cost of an oil change booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £104.50.

How often should you change oil in a car?

You should change your car engine oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, or if the dashboard warning light appears.

How much is an oil and filter change?

The average cost of an oil and filter change booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £128.48.

How long does it take to do an oil change?

An oil change takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete.

How many km can you do before an oil change?

You should get an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every 4,800 to 8,000 kilometres.

How urgent is an oil change?

If you notice the symptoms of contaminated oil, such as new noises from the engine or excess exhaust fumes, it’s urgent to get an oil change as soon as possible to avoid causing any damage to your engine.

How long can you drive when an oil change is needed?

If you need an oil change, avoid driving long distances and get yourself to the garage as soon as possible.

Can I change engine oil myself?

Changing your engine oil yourself can be difficult, as it can quickly become contaminated with oxygen. It’s recommended to get a professional to carry out the job for you.

What happens if you don’t change your oil?

If you don’t change your engine oil, you risk causing damage to your engine through overheating.

Can I just add oil to my car instead of getting an oil change?

No. The purpose of an oil change is to remove contaminants from the oil that may cause your engine to overheat. Topping up your engine oil ensures there’s enough oil in the system, but it won’t remove contaminants so it’s not an alternative to an oil change.

Is an oil change covered under warranty?

An engine oil change is not usually covered under your car’s warranty. 

Is an oil change covered by insurance?

An engine oil change is not usually covered under your car’s insurance policy, and you will need to pay for this service yourself.

Do I need to do an oil change for a leased car?

You will need to get an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for a leased car to avoid causing any damage to the vehicle’s engine.

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