Interim car service

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£139.46

Average quote for an interim service

Interim car service average costs and prices

The exact cost of an interim service can vary, but on average it costs £139.46, based on WhoCanFixMyCar data. Below, you can find the average cost of an interim car service for a range of popular car makes.

Car MakeAverage Price
Audi£139.32
BMW£142.28
Citroen£131.84
Ford£1135.82
Mercedes£146.10
MINI£138.90
Nissan£1134.46
Peugeot£132.61
Renault£130.85
Toyota£1134.70
Vauxhall£133.85
Volkswagen£135.88
Volvo£144.43

What is an interim service?

An interim service is a quicker, less thorough, and therefore less expensive version of a full service that you can get in between your annual full service. 

A full service is a thorough inspection of the condition and functioning of your car’s components. It includes around 60-70 checks and takes around 3-5 hours, depending on the size of your vehicle. On the other hand, an interim service usually includes around 40-50 checks and takes between 2-3 hours. 

After the checks are complete, you will receive a recommendation of any work that should be done to keep your car in good health.

Getting an interim service is a brilliant way to keep your car in good condition and maintain your vehicle’s health between full services if your car covers many miles on a regular basis.

Do I need a full or interim service?

A full service is recommended every 12 months for the majority of cars. It’s the best way to keep your car in good condition and manage natural wear and tear. Although it’s not a legal requirement, many insurance companies dictate that your car needs a full car service every year to remain covered by the policy.

An interim service happens in an addition to a full service and is recommended for those who do a lot of driving. It generally takes place at the 6-month mark, halfway between your annual full services. 

If you cover more than 6,000 miles within a 6 month period, you should consider getting an interim service on top of your yearly full service.

  • Interim service & MOT

    The average cost of an interim service & MOT booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £160.16. An interim service & MOT includes all the checks involved in an interim service, as well as an MOT test. By combining the two, you improve your likelihood of passing the MOT and may also be able to reduce your costs.

    Can include
    • 30+ checks
    • MOT test
    • Battery condition check
    • New engine oil and oil filter
  • Full service

    The average cost of an full service booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £194.92.

    A full service involves a mechanic running around 60+ individual checks on your vehicle's condition. They'll assess any general wear and tear, carry out checks on your car's components and identify any issues that need fixing. A full service is recommended every 12 months or every 12,000 miles.

    Can include
    • 60+ checks
    • New engine oil and oil filter
    • All checks included in an interim service
  • Winter Health Check

    The average cost of a winter health check booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £39.96 A winter health check covers your car's most important components, particularly those affected by plummeting temperatures.

    Can include
    • Vehicle Inspection
    • Fluid and oil check
    • Car fluid top-ups
    • Repair recommendations

What’s included in an interim car service?

An interim car service includes between 40-50 checks of the different components in your vehicle. It can include an inspection and maintenance of:

How to know if you need an interim service

The recommended time frame for an interim service is every 6 months. However, if you notice any issues with your vehicle, it could be worth getting yourself booked in earlier. This is because an interim service is a great way to get a thorough check of the health and condition of your car, especially if you’re not quite sure what’s causing your concern.

For example, you could book an interim service if you have concerns about: 

  • Any trouble or difficulty steering

  • Problems with your brakes

  • Worn shock absorbers and a car that hit bumps hard

  • Tyres that are losing pressure or start to look worn

  • Trouble starting your car 

  • Lights that begin to look a bit dim

  • Issues with dashboard warning lights

Are interim services necessary?

Like a full service, an interim service isn’t a legal requirement. However, it is recommended for cars that are driven more than 6,000 miles or every 6 months.

The benefits of regular servicing include maintaining your vehicle’s condition and making sure it performs at its best. It gives you an up to date understanding of any wear and tear to your car and helps you get necessary repairs, component replacements, and fluid top-ups before they cause further issues to your vehicle.

Although it’s recommended that most cars get serviced once a year, cars that regularly cover a lot of miles can benefit from an interim service on top of their annual full service. This is because it allows a mechanic to spot any issues that develop between full services, and to fix them before they get worse.

What impacts the cost of an interim service?

Generally, a larger car will cost more to service. However, the main factor that will impact your interim service cost is the condition of your vehicle. If your interim service uncovers issues with your car, the cost of these repairs will be added to the total price you pay.

Bear in mind that the higher the value of your car, the more it will usually cost to repair or replace its components.

Interim car service cost vs full car service cost

A full service will usually cost more than an interim car service because it’s more thorough and therefore takes longer. On average, a full service costs £194.92, whereas an interim service costs £139.46.

However, don’t be tempted to book an interim service instead of a full service due to cost. It’s important to get a full service every year as it’s a more thorough inspection of your vehicle’s condition. An interim service can be seen as an optional extra which is particularly beneficial for those who drive over 6,000 miles in a 6 month period.

Although you might consider skipping a service to save money, getting your car serviced regularly will often save you money in the long run by helping you to catch any issues with your car before they get worse and cause further, more expensive damage to your vehicle.

Find garages near you for your interim service

The best place to get an interim service is at a fully licenced and qualified garage, where experts will be on hand to carry out the routine with a full suite of equipment. Because a car service is a common practice for mechanics, it doesn’t usually require a specialist. However, if you have an electric car, you might need to check that the garage has experienced mechanics on hand who are able to carry out electric car services and repairs.

Learn more about servicing

What is an interim service?

An interim service is a less intensive version of a full service, comprising of 40-50 visual checks on your car compared to 60-70 checks during a full service. That is why it is often recommended to get an interim service in between your annual full service, so you can get any smaller faults fixed during the course of the year.

How often should you get an interim service?

You should get an interim service every 6 months, or if you’re worried about the condition of your vehicle, in between your annual service.

Does an interim service fall under warranty?

An interim service does not usually fall under your warranty and is a cost you will have to cover yourself.

Is an interim service covered by insurance?

An interim service does not usually fall under your insurance policy and is a cost you will have to cover yourself. It’s essential to check your policy documents to understand what is covered.

Do I need to get an interim service for a leased car?

You should get an interim service for a leased car if you’re worried about its condition. An interim service helps you keep on top of any potential repairs and stop them from becoming a bigger and more expensive issue in future.

How much does an interim service cost?

The average cost of an interim service booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £139.46, but the exact price varies depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

Are interim services worth it?

If you drive many miles and use your car often, it is worth getting an interim service to keep your vehicle in good health throughout the year.

What’s the difference between an interim and full car service?

A full service includes more checks and is, therefore, more expensive than an interim service. You should get a full service every 12 months and an interim service every 6 months if your car covers a lot of miles.

Does an interim service include an oil change?

An interim service includes an oil check, change, and top up if necessary. It also includes a check and change of your oil filter. However, it does not include more thorough assessments of your car’s engine.

Does an interim service count for full-service history?

If you get an interim service, it will be listed on your service history. However, it does not replace a full service, and you should still be sure to get a full service every year to improve the resale value of your car.

Can you get an interim service for electric cars?

Some garages will be able to perform an interim service on an electric car. You can check and compare service types online using WhoCanFixMyCar.

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