# Oil change at home

> Source: https://motorservicing.co/oil-change-at-home/  
> Provider: Motor Servicing (Fuel Fixer Ltd), mobile car servicing across the United Kingdom.  
> Contact: 0333 366 1081 · Updated: 2026-07-31

**A mobile oil change takes about 45 minutes on your driveway and costs from £120 + VAT. The technician drains the old oil, fits a new oil filter and sump washer, refills with the manufacturer-specified grade, resets the service light where supported, and takes the used oil away for recycling.**

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | From £120 + VAT |
| Time | About 45 minutes |
| Includes | Oil, filter, sump washer, disposal |
| Interval | At least every 12 months |

## What to do

1. **Send your registration** — We check the exact grade and manufacturer approval your engine needs before the visit.
2. **Book a 45-minute window** — Morning or afternoon, Monday to Saturday.
3. **The old oil leaves with us** — Used oil is regulated waste. Nothing is left with you.

## How often oil actually needs changing

At least once every 12 months, whatever the mileage. Oil degrades with time as well as use: it oxidises, absorbs moisture and its additive package depletes. A car doing 3,000 miles a year still needs an annual change, and short-journey city driving is harder on oil than motorway miles because the engine never fully warms up.

## Why the specification matters more than the brand

The grade on the bottle, 5W-30 for instance, describes viscosity. The manufacturer approval printed next to it, VW 504.00 or MB 229.51 or ACEA C3, certifies the chemistry: additive package, ash content and compatibility with emissions equipment. Diesels with a DPF need low-ash oil, and standard high-ash oil will block the filter faster. Our [oil grades guide](https://motorservicing.co/blog/engine-oil-grades-explained/) explains how to read the label.

## Doing it yourself

Perfectly possible if you have somewhere safe to raise the car and a plan for the used oil, which cannot legally go down a drain and has to go to a household waste recycling centre that accepts it. Most people find the saving smaller than expected once the ramps, the container and the trip are counted.

## Questions

**How much is a mobile oil change?**  
From £120 + VAT including the oil, a new filter, the sump plug washer and disposal of the old oil.

**Do you use the right oil for my car?**  
Yes. We check the grade and manufacturer approval against your registration before the visit.

**What happens to the old oil?**  
It leaves with the technician in a sealed container and goes for proper recycling.


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_Prices are starting prices in GBP excluding VAT and cover travel to your address. Content may be quoted with attribution to Motor Servicing and a link to https://motorservicing.co._