Should car service be every 12 months?

MissPeachtree

Husband is the one who drives....  He has serviced all cars every 18 months.  I have just looked up that they should be done every 12 months or 12000 miles whichever comes first.  As he now drives further for work, almost 12000 miles in a year, I felt it was safer to do every 12 months.  What is the norm amongst other drivers?  We buy our car second hand and previously didn't drive the car very far.

Nobbie1967

It varies by car, older ones are typically yearly or 10-12k miles whichever comes first, but many now have extended servicing period of 2 years or 20k miles. What car and year is it?

CliveOfIndia

You really should be servicing at the intervals specified in the handbook.  But it's almost always defined as "x miles or y months, whichever comes first".

If your husband can do the servicing himself (it's not a difficult job) then it doesn't cost much for most "ordinary" cars, and is well worth doing to extend the life of the car.

MissPeachtree

Nobbie1967 said:

It varies by car, older ones are typically yearly or 10-12k miles whichever comes first, but many now have extended servicing period of 2 years or 20k miles. What car and year is it?

It's a Honda Jazz and I believe about 10 years old.  +/- 1 year

daveyjp

Worth following the handbook, some cars have 6 monthly intervals, some 2 years.

However modern cars are far more robust and reliable than old ones, there is far less to check and adjust at each service and oils etc of higher quality.  A few months extra for oil changes makes little difference MOT is a good enough check for tyres and brakes and if its done ten years it should do many more with basic regular maintenance.

400ixl

Follow the manufacturers schedule for the specific vehicle model. Also each year will be different as different components have different schedules (brake fluid, filters, gearbox oil, cambelts etc).

Vitally important when it is still in warranty and would need to be done by a VAT registered garage (does not have to be the main dealer).

Once out of warranty it can be done at home or a garage, just keep the receipts if at home in order to retain the resale value.

Either way it is always best to follow the manufacturers schedule throughout its life. 

Nobbie1967

MissPeachtree said:

Nobbie1967 said:

It varies by car, older ones are typically yearly or 10-12k miles whichever comes first, but many now have extended servicing period of 2 years or 20k miles. What car and year is it?

It's a Honda Jazz and I believe about 10 years old.  +/- 1 year

Seems to be yearly or 12.5k, whichever comes first unless it’s a diesel.

https://www.honda.co.uk/cars/faqs.html#headingone

Bigwheels1111

I only do 3-3.5k miles a year.
I still get an oil and filter change every year.
It’s the life blood of your car.

35har1old

Bigwheels1111 said:

I only do 3-3.5k miles a year.
I still get an oil and filter change every year.
It’s the life blood of your car.

Awhile back I phoned the garage where I usually get my Mazda 6 11 year old serviced and was surprised  when they said it had been 2 years since they had serviced it They carried out the service and there was nothing extra required it has been serviced just recently and still runs well