Contact

Close
Contact

​How long does a car service take?

​How long does a car service take and what’s included with your service?

A mechanic working on a car engine bay

By Craig Hale

If you’re wondering ‘how long does a car service take?’, we’d suggest budgeting a couple of hours depending on the type of maintenance you’re having done, the condition of your vehicle and whether you’re combining your service with an MOT, which many drivers favour for convenience.

In most cases, servicing is designed to be straightforward and efficient. So, a routine check could take just a couple of hours, but deeper maintenance like a major service could take most of the day.

How long does it take to service a car?

In general, most garages will complete a car service within a few hours, so you’ll usually pick up your car on the same day you dropped it off.

Here’s a guide of how long you could expect it to take, but these are just rough estimates and each job will vary.

  • Interim service: two hours
  • Full service: four hours
  • Major service: six hours

Some services may take longer if extra checks or repairs are needed. Workshop schedules and parts availability can also affect how quickly your car is ready.

Interim service

Interim services are generally carried out every six months/6,000 miles, and are the perfect opportunity to keep on top of the things that need the most regular attention.

Some things that may be included in your interim service include:

  • Engine oil replacement
  • Oil filter replacement
  • Brake inspection
  • Tyre condition check
  • Exterior lights check
  • Fluid level checks and top-ups

Full service

Your full service is like an annual reset, where trained technicians will carry out all the major changes to keep your car running smoothly.

Not every manufacturer has the same service specifications, but as a guide, it may include the following on top of an interim service:

  • Air filter replacement
  • Cabin filter replacement
  • Battery health check
  • Steering and suspension inspection
  • Exhaust system inspection
  • Cooling system inspection
  • Drive belt inspection

Major service

Major services tend to take care of things that need replacing less frequently, but they’ll also typically cover everything you get in any other service. Some extras include:

  • Spark plug replacement
  • Brake fluid replacement
  • More detailed inspections of suspension and drivetrain

How long should a car service take – what to expect

Booking a service is easy with Marshall – all you need to do is find a suitable date and time online or by phone.

On the day of your appointment, you’ll normally drop your car off in the morning. Some drivers like to stay local, while others prefer to go home or go to work and collect their car at the end of the day.

If a technician spots anything that needs extra attention, for example if you need new tyres or brakes, someone from Marshall will call you to get your authorisation before doing any work without your consent.

Once the service is complete, they’ll confirm what has been done and any recommended work for the future – for example, they may advise that a tyre replacement could be needed in a few months, but not just yet.

Book your car service with Marshall

Servicing isn’t just a boring, box-ticking exercise. It’s an important part of car longevity, safety and efficiency, which all adds up to keep your car on the road longer, and potentially with fewer costly repairs later on down the line.

If you’re ready to give your car some TLC or you’re approaching the end of your current schedule, then book your car for a service with Marshall for a manufacturer-approved service now.

More From Marshall
More From Marshall Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed ei View More

​How long does a car service take?

​How long does a car service take and what’s included with your service?

A mechanic working on a car engine bay

By Craig Hale

If you’re wondering ‘how long does a car service take?’, we’d suggest budgeting a couple of hours depending on the type of maintenance you’re having done, the condition of your vehicle and whether you’re combining your service with an MOT, which many drivers favour for convenience.

In most cases, servicing is designed to be straightforward and efficient. So, a routine check could take just a couple of hours, but deeper maintenance like a major service could take most of the day.

How long does it take to service a car?

In general, most garages will complete a car service within a few hours, so you’ll usually pick up your car on the same day you dropped it off.

Here’s a guide of how long you could expect it to take, but these are just rough estimates and each job will vary.

  • Interim service: two hours
  • Full service: four hours
  • Major service: six hours

Some services may take longer if extra checks or repairs are needed. Workshop schedules and parts availability can also affect how quickly your car is ready.

Interim service

Interim services are generally carried out every six months/6,000 miles, and are the perfect opportunity to keep on top of the things that need the most regular attention.

Some things that may be included in your interim service include:

  • Engine oil replacement
  • Oil filter replacement
  • Brake inspection
  • Tyre condition check
  • Exterior lights check
  • Fluid level checks and top-ups

Full service

Your full service is like an annual reset, where trained technicians will carry out all the major changes to keep your car running smoothly.

Not every manufacturer has the same service specifications, but as a guide, it may include the following on top of an interim service:

  • Air filter replacement
  • Cabin filter replacement
  • Battery health check
  • Steering and suspension inspection
  • Exhaust system inspection
  • Cooling system inspection
  • Drive belt inspection

Major service

Major services tend to take care of things that need replacing less frequently, but they’ll also typically cover everything you get in any other service. Some extras include:

  • Spark plug replacement
  • Brake fluid replacement
  • More detailed inspections of suspension and drivetrain

How long should a car service take – what to expect

Booking a service is easy with Marshall – all you need to do is find a suitable date and time online or by phone.

On the day of your appointment, you’ll normally drop your car off in the morning. Some drivers like to stay local, while others prefer to go home or go to work and collect their car at the end of the day.

If a technician spots anything that needs extra attention, for example if you need new tyres or brakes, someone from Marshall will call you to get your authorisation before doing any work without your consent.

Once the service is complete, they’ll confirm what has been done and any recommended work for the future – for example, they may advise that a tyre replacement could be needed in a few months, but not just yet.

Book your car service with Marshall

Servicing isn’t just a boring, box-ticking exercise. It’s an important part of car longevity, safety and efficiency, which all adds up to keep your car on the road longer, and potentially with fewer costly repairs later on down the line.

If you’re ready to give your car some TLC or you’re approaching the end of your current schedule, then book your car for a service with Marshall for a manufacturer-approved service now.

Featured Articles