While thinking about how much you will spend on your vehicle each year, you will also want to consider the cost of servicing your car. From oil changes to tire rotations, your car needs care and attention regularly to run properly.
In this article, we will look more closely at all of the things that go into the cost of car service, and we will explore the approximate cost of the most common car services.
At the end of our article, we will answer the most important questions you may have so you can plan for any costs.
How Much Does a Car Service Cost?
A basic car service can cost you anywhere from $40 to $600 or more. If you do an oil change by yourself you could spend as little as $40; but if you need a major car service and have somebody else do it, it is possible to spend more than $600.
Cost will depend on your vehicle, the service, your geographical area, etc. So let’s look at some of the factors that affect the car service cost.
Factors Affecting Car Service Cost
#1. Your Vehicle.
The vehicle you drive is the biggest reason car services are different in price. If it is a small compact car, you will likely have paid less for an oil change and for tire replacement. This is mostly due to the oil consumed and the smaller tires.
If it is a luxury vehicle or sports car, this is also something to think about because of the technician. You may not even trust this vehicle to your local mechanic, which means having to pay a little bit more to work with the technician.
#2. Services Provided.
In most cases, the most common service performed is an oil change. These are done about every 5,000 to 10,000 miles on average, and you can expect this being a regular expense. Luckily, through time, services don’t usually cost too much.
However, after time, brake pads and rotors will need to be replaced, and that will not be as cheap of a bill as an oil change. Luckily, these services do not happen often.
#3. Location.
There are several factors that deal with location. First, if you do the repair by yourself, you will only be paying for the part. That is the best way to not spend a lot of money on a service.
Another factor is where you live. If you take your vehicle to a repair shop in a rural community, it will likely charge you less than your close city repair shop. Also, typically your independent mechanic is cheaper than heading to the dealership.
Average Car Service Cost Prices
#1. Oil/Filter Change.
An oil and filter change usually runs between $40 to $125. You will need to change your oil more frequently if you are using conventional motor oil versus those who use a synthetic or blend motor oil.
Although the oil is more expensive for this option, you will ultimately save money if you are having these changes done less often.
If you drive around 12,000 miles a year, you will need two to three changes a year.
You don’t want to skip this service because the health of your engine depends on the oil being fresh and the filter being clean. It’s a small investment like an insurance policy for the motor.
#2. Windshield Wiper Replacement.
Changing windshield wipers is one of those services that are often neglected. For most people, it is easy to change the windshield wipers, all that you have to pay for is the parts.
If you have the mechanic do the service alongside other jobs, the typical cost is $20 to $50 for parts and labor, and the blades can need to be changed once or twice a year.
On the other hand, most auto parts stores will install the wipers for free when you buy them there so just a quick pit stop and you don’t have to pay for labor.
#3. Tire Rotation.
Tires have a rubber tread that wears down over time. Depending on the vehicle you drive, the quality of the tire and your driving habits, you may need to have a tire rotation performed once or twice a year.
Whenever you see that the tread is wearing unevenly, it would be wise to have it inspected and rotated at that time.
The average price to expect for a tire rotation service is $20 – $100, although some tire shops will offer a maintenance agreement when you purchase tires from them that can potentially reduce the price for the service if prepaid.
There are additional tire and wheel services you should understand. You will also need to schedule a regular tire balance service and wheel alignment service to keep the car driving straight down the road.
If you do not do this service, you will probably cause damage to the suspension components, and you will need to be purchasing new tires more often.
#4. Brake Pad Replacement.
If you want your car to stop when the pedal is pressed, you will need brake pads and rotors. The materials that make up the brake pads and the rotor will wear out over time, which will increase the time stops. As a result, brake service is a critical part of safety on the road.
Brake pads, on average, are what you will replace most often. Expect the brake service to run $150 to $350 per axle, depending on how great of a brake you want, and where you have it done. Therefore, replacing all brake pads will run about $300 to $700.
The rotors will eventually require service too, but in some instances, rotors can be resurfaced, which is a small cost. If the rotors need to be replaced, you might pay an extra $100 to $300 for those costs on top of the brake pad replacement.
#5. Serpentine Belt Replacement.
When the serpentine belt begins to wear out, you will notice it whining. The belt may need to be retensioned, or it may need to be replaced. In cases of retensioning, you may pay a mechanic about one hour of labor in order to complete the repair.
Replacing the serpentine belt, on the other hand, could be between $150 and $500 depending on the model of your vehicle.
Some vehicles have serpentine belts that are much more difficult to replace than others, so the overall labor cost is higher. Luckily, serpentine belts usually last at least 50,000 miles so unless your vehicle has some abnormality, you shouldn’t have to get this done frequently.
#6. Spark Plug Replacement.
A basic tune-up may include a spark plug change if needed. You only change spark plugs once they are old or fouled. You’re able to get some types to last over 100,000 miles.
The total cost of the spark plug replacement is usually over $100, and if the plugs are more expensive it may go up to $400. If you go with a better plug, it will last longer, but will be more expensive.
Also with some automobiles, the spark plugs will be difficult to change so that adds to the cost of replacement because of the labor on top of the part cost.
#7. Fluid Flush.
Your vehicle has many different types of fluids that need flushed regularly to make sure all of the systems in your vehicle are running like they should. One example is a transmission fluid flush, which is usually recommended every 30,000 – 50,000 miles, depending on manufacturer recommendations.
The coolant is another fluid that needs to be flushed. You might want to have that serviced every 30,000 miles. If you can do some of these services together, it will save you money, in the long run.
#8. Car Wash/Detailing.
Car washes aren’t a service typically viewed as a vehicle service, but taking care of the interior and exterior of a vehicle is essential for its resale value and aesthetic.
That’s why it’s important to get the wash done regularly, and even pay a little extra for the more thorough detailing service.
If you get a wash once a month, you may spend around $5 to maybe $100 at a time. The detailing service can quickly add to a significantly higher bill, based on you view as needed.
#9. Multi-Point Inspection.
Most maintenance schedules require inspection of the main systems, this usually is recommended by the vehicle manufacturers. If you are already having other services done the mechanics will typically include the inspections as part of the cost.
If all you are paying for is an inspection, you will have to pay for that separately and you will want to have any repairs done that were noted in the inspection.
What’s the Average Maintenance Cost for a Car?
In 2021, AAA reported that the average maintenance cost for a vehicle has risen to $9,666, which is an increase of nearly $300 in just a year. A rise in ownership costs for operating your vehicle is becoming frequent due to expensive gasoline prices.
How Much Does it Cost to Maintain a Car Monthly?
AAA has estimated those costs for maintaining a car, over the course of a year. Assume all the typical annual services such as oil changes, tire rotations, wiper replacement, etc. The general guideline is about $120 a month. The majority of cars get some form of service every 5,000 miles.
What is considered Full Service on a Car?
The term full service has earned many definitions, depending on who is doing the work on the car. In most cases, this means everything required on a vehicle for specific service intervals.
In some cases, there are mileage milestones that require a service with more than 50 checks or services performed at one time. Checking the owner’s manual is a good place to find information on what service your vehicle is due to receive.
What Happens if I Don’t Service My Car?
If you fail to service your car to perform the necessary maintenance, the performance of your vehicle may begin to decline. Your car requires these routine checks and maintenance to ensure each of the major systems see continued run time as expected.
If you expect your engine, transmission and any other major systems will be running in proper working order get your car maintained.
Can I Service the Car at Home?
If you are mechanically inclined and have limited tools, it is possible for you to take on some of the car services inevitably recommended depending on your mechanical knowledge.
Some jobs are easier than others, such as changing the windshield wipers, while other jobs require everything you know and can possibly lead to additional problems. Every job you can do will save you particularly on your monthly car service as an owner.
When you own a car it is smart to consider all of the costs you will incur in the future first (such as insurance premiums, and fuel expenditures, which you will want to budget enough) at least to get where you need to go.
Once you have reviewed the normal car service costs your vehicle does or will incur, you know what’s next.
Now these costs will purely depend on multiple reasons such as types of vehicles you own or have serviced, and where you have the vehicle serviced. Therefore you may want to obtain estimates from some local shops before you have any service completed.
Nonetheless, you pay for service to prevent larger repair bills and stop failure before it takes place.