Car service cost benchmarks for 2026
| 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, with brand-specific diagnostics. Worth it for very new cars on an active service plan, where the plan already covers the cost.
Independent garage. The value option for most older 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, and at what rate
- Whether there is a call-out or collection fee
- Who carries out the work and to whose schedule
- 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.