How often is a Car service really needed?

JohnB47

I have my Honda Jazz (2014 reg) serviced every year and MOT'ed of course.

However, I've just realised that I'm clocking up only around 6000 miles per year.

Am I daft to have the oil, plugs, filters etc changed so often?

comeandgo

I’d say you still need to get it done yearly due to your low mileage.  I would rather buy a high mileage car that has been looked after and serviced than a low mileage that’s been ignored.

lordmountararat

The fact that you're doing so few miles is even more reason to have the car serviced annually.

CliveOfIndia

It really wants servicing in line with manufacturer’s recommendations - particularly if you plan on selling it at any point (rather than running it until it dies).  Even then, it's a worthwhile investment.

Things like air and pollen filters you could potentially get away with if you're doing low mileage.  Spark plugs, these days, don't need changing as often as they used to.  But if you do nothing else, oil and oil-filter changes are really important, irrespective of mileage.  Change them when they're due.

If you're at all mechanically-minded, basic servicing is a doddle on most cars, and you can save a lot by doing it yourself.  I do appreciate that some folk have neither the inclination or the facilities to do it themselves, which is fine.  But find a decent local mechanic (I do hope you're not paying main dealer prices?) and at least get the oil and filter changed every year if nothing else.

JohnB47

Thanks folks. I'm inclined to agree with you all, so I'll keep up the regular yearly services - always with a local small firm. Never a main dealer.

I once had a Toyota, supposedly one of the most reliable cars available. I took out a year's warranty with the dealer I bought it from and in that year more parts needed replaced than I'd had with all cars I've ever owned combined. All discovered during a service and all done under warranty. The warranty was not very expensive for me so I think it was just a scam.

I do tend to keep my cars for a long time and in the past I would have serviced them myself.

I'm not as fit as I was though and cars these days are much more complicated and need computers plugged in and all sorts of shenanigans.

I just thought I'd ask, so thanks again.

Stubod

..yes, annually, at least to get the oil changed if nothing else...

diveunderthebonnet

I would continue with oil and filter change every year but my Dacia Sandero states every 48000 miles or 4 years for spark plugs so would have these changed every year ,the air filter and pollen filter only when needed.

Ectophile

My approach is to take it to a trusted local garage for a minor service.  That means the oil gets changed, as do the filters.  If they spot anything else that needs doing, they will ring me.

Things like spark plugs, brakes and the like need doing when they need doing, not at any specific interval.

Veteransaver

Annual servicing on most cars is pretty minimal now days. Spark plugs etc are usually iridium and most will last the life of the car. Air filters can last years especially if not used in dusty environments. Pollen filters can usually be washed.
The whole oil change annually regardless of mileage is daft really, and the manufacturers recommendations for oil change often vary by region for the same car.
It's quite common in the US for them to say oil change every 3000 / 6000 miles. Whereas the same car in UK might be 12000 or 20000 miles.
I never used to change oil annually when I used to do about 5000 miles a year, As long as the oil doesn't sludge up and there is plenty in there then modern synthetic oil should be good for 20000miles plus, age is fairly irrelevant despite what people claim
On an old car where you aren't worried about resale value, I certainly wouldn't fret about annual oil changes.

Northern_Wanderer

Honda engines can go on and on when taken care of. That means following the Honda Service Schedule. Defo do oil change annually with recommended oil as Honda's are sensitive to correct oil. Coolant/ transmission fluid needs replaced at certain years. Brake fluid every three years. You will have Irridium spark plugs that need replaced at 75k miles. Air/ cabin filters are easy to change yourself, no I wouldn't wash them. When you look after your excellent honda engine, it will reward you with reliability.

Bigphil1474

I used to get my cars serviced by Dave at the local Indy. When I bought a nice nearly new car it came with a 1 year warranty and a free service at the end of the warranty at the main dealer.  The cost of the intermediate service was only a few £ more than Dave charged and the dealer gave me a full vehicle check sheet, and also collected the car from home, and cleaned it before returning. Dave didn't do the full services either so I stuck with the main dealers for service. A bit pricier but I'm happy with it.