How Often Should You Service Your Car in Melbourne?
Keeping your car in top condition is essential for safe driving, long vehicle life, and avoiding costly repairs. If you’re a Melbourne driver, you’ll know that our mix of city congestion, coastal air, changing temperatures, and occasional long highway trips can impact how frequently your car needs attention. So, how often should you service your car in Melbourne?
Why Regular Car Servicing Matters
Routine servicing ensures that all major components—engine, brakes, tyres, and electrical systems—are working as they should. For Melbourne motorists, regular maintenance is even more important due to factors such as:
- Heavy stop-start peak-hour traffic
- Variable weather conditions
- Salt in coastal air, especially around bayside suburbs
- Long weekend road trips common for Victorian drivers
Skipping services can lead to reduced fuel efficiency, breakdowns, or expensive repairs that could have been avoided.
Standard Service Interval: Every 6 Months or 10,000 km
Most modern vehicles need servicing every 6 months or 10,000 km—whichever comes first.
This is the general guideline recommended by manufacturers and widely followed by mechanics in Melbourne.
Why this interval works well for Melbourne:
- Stop-start city driving makes engines work harder
- Short trips may not heat the engine enough to burn off condensation
- Traffic and roadworks increase brake and tyre wear
- Melbourne’s climate shifts can affect oils and fluids
Check Your Manufacturer’s Logbook
While the 6-month rule is a good baseline, your logbook is the most accurate guide.
Different makes and models have their own schedules—for example:
- European cars often require annual or condition-based servicing
- Older vehicles may need more frequent checks
- Hybrids and EVs have different service requirements but still need regular inspections
Keeping up with your logbook also preserves the new-car warranty.
Types of Car Services
- Minor Service (Every 6 Months)
Typically includes:
- Engine oil and filter change
- Fluid top-ups
- Brake and safety checks
- Tyre rotation
- Basic diagnostics
- Major Service (12–24 Months)
Includes everything in a minor service plus:
- Air, fuel, and cabin filter replacement
- Spark plugs
- Brake fluid flush
- Comprehensive vehicle inspection
- Timing belt checks (or replacement as scheduled)
Signs Your Car Needs Servicing Sooner
Even if you haven’t reached the 6-month mark, book a mechanic if you notice:
- Warning lights on the dashboard
- Unusual noises (grinding, knocking, squealing)
- Hard starting or poor performance
- Vibrations when braking
- Fluid leaks
- Burning smells
- Decreased fuel efficiency
Melbourne’s busy roads mean small issues can quickly escalate.
How Driving Habits Affect Service Frequency
You may need more frequent servicing if you:
- Drive mainly in the CBD or peak-hour traffic
- Take short trips daily
- Tow trailers or caravans
- Drive in dusty or coastal areas
- Frequently travel on rural Victorian roads
If you mostly do long freeway commutes, you may stretch intervals slightly—but always follow the logbook.
Cost of Servicing a Car in Melbourne
Although prices vary, typical ranges include:
- Minor service: $180 – $350
- Major service: $350 – $900+ depending on vehicle type
European, 4WD, hybrid, or performance vehicles may cost more.
