A full-service history, or FSH, can be attractive to prospective buyers if you’re looking to sell your car.
A full-service history shows potential buyers that a car’s been well looked after and should be reliable, as it’s been checked over at regular intervals by a professional.
It also helps people to discover the true mileage, so they don’t end up with a clocked car.
What’s a car service?
A car service is a routine health check for your vehicle that looks at everything from fluid levels to the engine, brakes and all the parts in between.
A mechanic can carry out checks on over 50 different components to make sure your car is in good condition.
The most common checks include:
- engine oil and filter check and replacement
- suspension
- brake fluid check and top up
- full brake check
- steering alignment
- car battery health
- shock absorbers check
There are a variety of services on offer, and what you need will depend on the make and model of your vehicle plus any warranty expectations.
The most common types of service are:
- basic or interim service
- oil and filter change
- full service/major service
- manufacturer service
How much does a car service cost?
Checkatrade reports that the average cost of a full car service is between £170 and £395 in 2024.
But the cost will vary depending on how much work is needed and where you take your car for the service.
It’s also worth shopping around and seeing if you can get a discount by having the service and MOT done at the same time.
What’s the difference between an MOT and service?
It’s important to remember that there is a lot of overlap between an MOT and service.
An MOT is a legal requirement that checks if a car is roadworthy. You also can’t drive a car over three-years-old without one.
However, a service isn’t mandatory, and you can drive without one.
It follows detailed guidelines set out by the vehicle manufacturer to keep your car in peak condition.
For some brand-new cars, you may need to stick to a servicing schedule for the first few years (often three) to make sure you don’t void the warranty.
Are car servicing plans worth it?
Car servicing plans allow you to spread the cost of servicing to an inflation-proof monthly price.
This means you only pay the price of a service on the day you buy it. So, for example, if service prices jump up from £125 to £150, you’ll only pay £125.
You can choose a brand you trust for your servicing plan – many different companies offer service plans including car manufacturers, car dealerships and some insurance companies.
When it comes to price, it can vary widely depending on who you choose, but a service at a franchised dealership will generally be more expensive than an independent garage.
How often do I need to get my car serviced?
A car service works to a schedule and while there’s no one size fits all, a general rule of thumb to work to is once a year or every 10,000 miles.
Modern cars often have a self-diagnostic system which lets you know when a service is due.
If it doesn't, each manufacturer has its own recommended servicing schedule, so check your car manual for more information.
When you get your car serviced, make sure you get your book stamped and keep your invoice to show what work has been carried out.
