The 2026 benchmarks
| Service | UK booking average | Typical independent range | Typical main dealer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interim | ~£141 | £90 to £150 | £150 to £220 |
| Full | ~£180 | £150 to £250 | £250 to £400 |
| Major | ~£237 | £200 to £350 | £350 to £600 |
Booking averages come from platform data covering bookings across thousands of UK garages; the RAC's separately published average quoted full service price is £298.60, which shows how much dealer quotes move an average. Ranges are 2026 market estimates and vary by region and vehicle.
What actually moves the number
- Oil volume and specification. A 1.0-litre petrol might take 3.5 litres of a common grade. A 3.0-litre diesel might take 8 litres of a long-life specification at twice the price per litre. That alone can be a £60 swing.
- Filter access. Some engines put the oil filter somewhere sensible. Others require removing an undertray, an air box, or both.
- Labour rate. £60 to £90 an hour independent, £90 to £150 main dealer. Location matters: London and the South East run 20 to 30 per cent above the national average on labour.
- Service level. Interim to full to major is more parts and more inspection time, not a different hourly rate.
Dealer, independent or mobile
Main dealer. Most expensive, brand-specific diagnostics, and required in practice only if a warranty or a service plan says so. Worth it for cars under manufacturer warranty with an active service plan.
Independent garage. The value option for most out-of-warranty cars. Quality varies enormously between garages, which is why reviews matter more here than anywhere else.
Mobile. Independent pricing, plus you keep your day. The trade-off is that MOT testing and ramp work still need a workshop. For a routine annual service, that trade-off costs you nothing.
Whichever you choose, the total cost is the price plus your time plus the risk of an unquoted extra. A £160 service that eats a Saturday and turns into £310 at the counter is not cheaper than a fixed £199 on your driveway.
The three quoting tricks worth knowing
- The starting price with no ceiling. "Services from £89" usually means £89 for a 1.0-litre supermini and considerably more for anything else. Ask for the price for your registration before booking.
- The inspection-first quote. The car goes in for a service, the service becomes an inspection, the inspection produces a list. Ask what happens if extra work is identified, and insist on a phone call before any of it is carried out.
- The bundled advisory. Genuine advisories are specific and measured: "front pads at 3mm, replace within 3,000 miles". Vague advisories, "brakes need attention", are a prompt to get a second opinion.
How to compare quotes properly
Get three quotes and compare on five points, not one:
- The price for your registration, not a starting price
- Whether VAT and parts are included
- Whether there is a call-out or collection fee
- The guarantee on parts and labour, in months and miles
- What happens if additional faults are found
Our full price list is published at motorservicing.co/pricing, including a machine-readable version for anyone who wants to compare properly.