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Launching in Surrey

Car service quotes

A service is routine maintenance: fresh oil and filters, and checks on the parts that wear, at the intervals the car’s maker sets. It isn’t the MOT, which is the yearly legal test, but ‘MOT and service’ is one job on our list if you want both done together.
Post your service job

Post the job free with your registration and postcode. Garages on Matchanic can see it and choose whether to quote, and you only go ahead if you accept one. Matchanic is new and launching in Surrey, so there may be few or no garages on Matchanic near the car yet.

When your car may need a service

  • The service light or a service reminder is showing on the dashboard.
  • The service book, or the schedule in the handbook, says one is due by date or by mileage.
  • You’ve bought a used car and don’t know when it was last serviced.
  • The oil level on the dipstick keeps dropping between services.
  • You’re about to drive a long way, or winter is coming, and you want the car looked over first.

Jobs you can ask garages to quote for

The jobs you can choose for this when you post. Pick the one that fits, or the closest, and add the detail under ‘Anything else’.

  • Oil change
  • Oil and filters
  • Full service
  • Major service
  • MOT and service
  • Interim service
  • Air filter replacement
  • Cabin (pollen) filter replacement
  • Fuel filter replacement
  • Spark plug replacement
  • Glow plug replacement
  • Brake fluid change
  • Coolant change
  • Engine flush
  • AdBlue top-up or system check
  • Wiper blade replacement
  • Vehicle health check
  • Winter check
  • Summer or holiday check
  • Service reset (service light)

What affects the price

Each garage sets its own price. These are the things that usually make the difference.

  • The type of service: an oil change, an interim, a full and a major service each cover a different amount of work.
  • The car’s make, model and engine. Engine size decides how much oil it takes, and some engines need a particular oil.
  • Parts from the car’s maker or from other brands.
  • Longer-interval items that fall due at this service, such as spark plugs, a fuel filter, brake fluid or coolant.
  • Anything the checks turn up. The garage should tell you and agree a price before it does extra work.

What to tell the garage

Choose the service type if you know it. The service book, or the maker’s schedule in the handbook, says which one is due. If you’re not sure, pick the closest and say so under ‘Anything else’.

It also helps to add the mileage, when the car was last serviced, whether you want the service book or the car’s service record updated, and anything you’ve noticed, such as a noise or a warning light. If the MOT is due too, choose ‘MOT and service’ rather than posting two jobs.

Questions about servicing

  • What’s the difference between an interim, full and major service?

    It varies between garages and cars, so check what each quote includes. An interim service is usually an oil and filter change with basic checks. A full service usually covers oil, filters and a broad set of checks across the brakes, suspension, lights and fluids. A major service usually adds longer-interval items such as spark plugs and extra filters.

  • How often does my car need a service?

    Your handbook or service book says, usually by time and by mileage. The schedule differs between makes and engines, and some cars work it out for themselves and show a reminder when a service is due. If you don’t know the car’s history, say so when you post and garages can suggest what it needs.

  • Is a service the same as an MOT?

    No. The MOT is a legal test of whether the car meets road safety and environmental standards, and it doesn’t cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox. A service is maintenance that keeps the car in good order between tests.

  • Can a garage price my service in advance?

    A garage on Matchanic can choose to set its servicing prices in advance, by engine size. If one has, and your job is within its distance and matches a price it set, a quote at that price can be sent without the garage opening your job. That only works when the registration lookup found the car’s engine size, so start with the registration.

  • Will the garage stamp my service book?

    Ask. If you want the book stamped or the car’s service record updated, say so when you post, and check with the garage before you accept its quote. You can message a garage about its quote.

Related jobs

Start with your registration

Posting a job is free, and you don’t have to accept a quote.

Post your service job

Matchanic is launching in Surrey. How Matchanic works · Matchanic in Surrey