How much does a car service cost?
The amount you can expect to pay for your car service will vary on a number of factors including the make and model of your car, the mechanic you use and the type of service required (which is usually linked to the distance on your odometer). In general, you can expect to pay anywhere between $185-$2,225, depending on these factors.
The make and model of your car
The first question to be answered is simply what model of vehicle you have. Services cost different amounts because every model is made differently.
Back in 2014, a bunch of manufacturers launched CPS schemes – Capped Price Servicing or even Lifetime Capped Price Servicing – so that you’ll know how much certain scheduled services will cost ahead of time. Under a capped price servicing scheme, a manufacturer will publish a transparent servicing program of your scheduled service before you get the bill, so you can have a greater understanding of exactly what you’re paying for.
The table below shows how long the CPS schemes last for the various major car manufacturers used by Australians:
| Lifetime | >5 Years | 5 Years | 4 Years | 3 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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→ Related article: What Car Insurance discounts could you get?
Your mechanic
The total amount you pay will vary depending on the standard prices charged by the mechanic you use. As you could pay more or less for the same type of service, it is a good idea to contact your mechanic in advance to request a quote and consider comparing with others.
Type and timing of service
When it comes to the type of service your car needs, the main question is how many kilometres your car has done, and whether it’s due for a scheduled service.
The other question is whether any repairs are getting added in or whether it is your run of the mill, oil-and-filter-change service.
In the tables below, we compared the current advertised service charges (as at January 2018) for Holden and Ford, for 2-year-old hatchbacks, sedans and four-wheel drives up to an estimated running life of 360,000km.
We’ve highlighted the major services that could set you back a little more. As you can see, as a car ages, it generally becomes more expensive to maintain – and this can mean more expensive services with repairs .
The services that are considered major (and therefore could cost you more)
- 60,000 km
- 120,000 km
- 180,000 km
- 240,000 km
- 300,000 km
- 360,000 km
Note: Holden’s pricing schedule has taken these additional replacements into account, while Ford’s schedule lists these as optional extras that are not included in the standard price. This is why in some instances Holden’s prices appear to be much higher – make sure to contact a mechanic before servicing your car to get a more accurate price.
Service guide tables
Hatchback
| Kilometres (km) | Holden Barina | Ford Fiesta WT (Dealer / Independent) |
|---|---|---|
| 15,000 | $229 | $290 |
| 30,000 | $229 | $310 |
| 45,000 | $229 | $290 |
| 60,000 | $229 | $495 |
| 75,000 | $289 | $290 |
| 90,000 | $289 | $310 |
| 105,000 | $289 | $290 |
| 120,000 | $589 | $495 |
| 135,000 | $456 | $290 |
| 150,000 | $1,946 | $310 |
| 165,000 | $368 | $290 |
| 180,000 | $755 | $495 |
| 195,000 | $385 | $290 |
| 210,000 | $586 | $310 |
| 225,000 | $521 | $290 |
| 240,000 | $704 | $495 |
| 255,000 | $420 | $290 |
| 270,000 | $642 | $310 |
| 285,000 | $440 | $290 |
| 300,000 | $769 | $495 |
| 315,000 | $796 | $290 |
| 330,000 | $2,542 | $310 |
| 345,000 | $480 | $290 |
| 360,000 | $986 | $495 |
Sedan
| Kilometers | Holden Commodore SS | Ford Focus LT |
|---|---|---|
| 15,000 | $185 | $330 |
| 30,000 | $185 | $330 |
| 45,000 | $185 | $330 |
| 60,000 | $185 | $490 |
| 75,000 | $346 | $330 |
| 90,000 | $590 | $330 |
| 105,000 | $493 | $330 |
| 120,000 | $370 | $490 |
| 135,000 | $630 | $330 |
| 150,000 | $1157 | $330 |
| 165,000 | $396 | $330 |
| 180,000 | $674 | $490 |
| 195,000 | $414 | $330 |
| 210,000 | $576 | $330 |
| 225,000 | $720 | $330 |
| 240,000 | $443 | $490 |
| 255,000 | $453 | $330 |
| 270,000 | $770 | $330 |
| 285,000 | $473 | $330 |
| 300,000 | $1478 | $490 |
| 315,000 | $1002 | $330 |
| 330,000 | $506 | $330 |
| 345,000 | $517 | $330 |
| 360,000 | $880 | $490 |
Source: Holden, Ford, and AutoGuru
4WD
| Kilometres | Holden Trax | Ford Territory |
|---|---|---|
| 15,000 | $229 | $355 |
| 30,000 | $229 | $355 |
| 45,000 | $229 | $630 |
| 60,000 | $229 | $355 |
| 75,000 | $289 | $355 |
| 90,000 | $289 | $630 |
| 105,000 | $289 | $355 |
| 120,000 | $508 | $355 |
| 135,000 | $567 | $630 |
| 150,000 | $1723 | $355 |
| 165,000 | $368 | $355 |
| 180,000 | $786 | $630 |
| 195,000 | $385 | $355 |
| 210,000 | $586 | $355 |
| 225,000 | $648 | $630 |
| 240,000 | $607 | $355 |
| 255,000 | $420 | $355 |
| 270,000 | $715 | $630 |
| 285,000 | $440 | $355 |
| 300,000 | $663 | $355 |
| 315,000 | $941 | $630 |
| 330,000 | $2250 | $355 |
| 345,000 | $480 | $355 |
| 360,000 | $1027 | $630 |
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William was previously a Finance Journalist within the Editorial team at Canstar and was responsible for producing content across all things banking, wealth and insurance. He had a passion for analysing complex financial product information and presenting it in a clear way to give consumers the knowledge to help take greater control of their finances. Will studied a degree in Business Management at UQ.
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