Annabelle Clarke

PR Manager

Annabelle Clarke | Author

Eduardo Rodrigues

Content Writer

Claudia Tuñón

Isobel Coughlan

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Alastair Shephard

A full car service in the UK costs around £280 on average. 

To keep things running smoothly, most cars need servicing every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. Some car services are quick, others take time and cost more. 

So, how do you know what’s fair? What should a service include, and what’s the difference between interim and full?

Our expert mechanic breaks it all down. Scroll on for the full lowdown.

What is the average cost of a full car service in the UK?

The average UK annual full-car service cost is £280. However, this will differ depending on your car’s make, age, and condition. 

The age of a car is a significant factor in the price, as older cars typically require more care. Newer cars usually have fewer problems, and the manufacturer's warranty limits costs in the first few years. 

 can help you pay for car repairs in instalments in easy-to-manage monthly payments.

Car services aren’t cookie-cutter. Here’s a quick breakdown of the options and prices to help you choose the right one for your ride.

 These prices are based on UK industry averages and intended as a guide. Actual costs may vary depending on your vehicle’s make, age, condition, location, and service provider.

Another major factor influencing full car service costs is the make of your vehicle. Here are the average prices for some popular brands.

How much does a full car service cost UK?

The average UK full car service costs £280, but costs can range between £170 and £400.

Prices can vary widely depending on your car’s make, model, age, and location. Refer back to the tables above for details about what each service includes and the average costs from different car manufacturers.

What is the most expensive car to service UK?

Luxury and high-performance cars, such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz, tend to be the most expensive to service in the UK. Their advanced technology, specialised parts, and labour costs make servicing pricier compared to standard vehicles.

Similarly, luxury brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, and Porsche also incur higher service costs due to the complexity of their engineering and the use of premium components. It’s best to service your car with authorised dealerships to ensure high-quality work for these brands.

It’s worth budgeting extra if you own one of these brands to avoid unexpected expenses.

What are the cheapest car brands to service? 

Popular cars like the Vauxhall Corsa and Kia Sportage will typically be in the lower price range for servicing since so many of them are on the road. 

Parts are cheap and readily available, and their more straightforward design means they’re generally faster and easier to fix. 

Maintenance tips: How to save on car servicing costs

Small habits not only protect your wallet but also keep your car running smoothly, helping to avoid costly repairs and reduce servicing bills.

Try these simple tips to save money in the long run:

You can also book your service early or ask about multi-service discounts to get the best deal from your local garage.

Does engine size affect the cost of a service?

Cars with engines under two litres are usually cheaper to service.

High-performance models with larger engines and premium parts tend to cost more in both labour and components.

Is servicing an electric car more expensive?

Electric vehicles and some plug-in hybrids often require specialist servicing at higher hourly rates. 

However, with fewer fluids and moving parts, they can still be cheaper to maintain overall. The final cost depends on the type of service required.

No, most warranties do not cover routine maintenance or servicing.

If your car is still under warranty, the cost of scheduled services may be capped by the policy. To keep the warranty valid, you must follow the service schedule, as skipping it could void your cover.

Yes, paying for regular car maintenance is always worthwhile. 

Services help maintain your vehicle’s performance, prevent costly repairs, and ensure safety on the road. Keeping up with servicing can also protect your warranty and boost your car’s resale value in the long run.

Car services are essential for keeping your car in top condition, preventing costly issues, and ensuring your safety on the road. 

Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand average UK service costs and what you can expect to pay for your car’s next visit to the garage.

Last-minute repairs and services can leave you (and your wallet) feeling down. But

, you can split the cost of repairs into monthly payments at no extra cost. 

Apply online for up to £5,000 and choose from 1,000s of trusted repairers.

How Much Is a Car Service in the UK?

Bumper joined National Park Rangers in woodland near Calver for a unique day of volunteering. The team worked together to collect hundreds of vintage glass bottles and ceramics that were found when the site was recently cleared due to Ash Dieback Disease. It's believed that the area was on the site of an old Victorian tip.

The Team found old Heinz bottles and Bovril glasses. Items that looked of interest were sent to archaeologists for analysis.

It was important for the team to clear this glass to protect the safety of the wildlife and members of the public with four-legged friends who enjoy what the Peak District has to offer. Glass can also be a wildfire hazard as heat from the sun can cause devastating damage.

The Team was extremely efficient and filled all the containers before the proposed finished time – this was probably propelled by a meal booked in the local pub after!

Bumper is supporting the Foundation after signing up for its Peak Partner scheme, which allows businesses to care for the National Park while meeting their Corporate Social Responsibility goals.

 said: “The Peak District National Park is an incredible area, right on the doorstep of our Sheffield office.

“This partnership allows us to work closely with an amazing local organisation, but also to have a positive impact on the environment. Here at Bumper, our corporate social responsibility has always been a priority for us. Working in the automotive industry, we’re acutely aware of the progress our industry needs to make toward solving the climate crisis and we know we need to be doing all we can to support this.

“We’re proud residents of Sheffield and love the area surrounding our office there. The Peak District National Park Foundation not only works to conserve the environment but is also a great asset for Sheffield.

Becoming a Peak Partner was a no brainer for us, and we’re thrilled to be working with the Foundation. We really enjoyed our day clearing the woodland, meeting the staff who work in the National Park and talking about our CSR goals.”

The Foundation’s fundraising development officer Claire Barlow said: “We’re delighted to welcome Bumper as a Gold Peak Partner. It was great to meet the team out in the Peak District, we’d like to say a huge thank you to them for their help and look forward to working with them in the future.”

The Peak District National Park Foundation

The Foundation is an independent charity that cares for the Peak District National Park. Its aim is to work towards a Peak District that is conserved and enjoyed by everyone. It funds projects that care for the landscape and wildlife in the park, help fight climate change, and connect people from all backgrounds and situations to nature and the outdoors.

Bumper volunteers with Peak District National Park

Team Bumper attended the first Motortec Madrid 2022 event following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The event, held annually, is one of the largest Automotive industry events in Europe. Described as a space for industry experts and innovators to exchange knowledge and best practices, Motortec sees over 700 companies exhibit annually. 

Across four days, Bumper showcased their interest-free monthly payments for after-sales invoices. A digital solution that allows customers at dealerships and garages to apply for finance in just a few clicks.

Co-founder, Jack Allman said, "Motortec Madrid marks the start of Bumper's expansion into the Spanish market. With a widely established presence in the UK and a recent launch into Germany, we're in a strong position to expand in Spain.

“Our talented and experienced sales team are engaging with dealerships and garages here in Spain about how Bumper can drive increased sales volume and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction”.

Team Bumper received an exciting reaction to their innovative solution at Motortec and has secured many connections to propel them further into the Spanish market. 

Founded in 2013, Bumper provides an interest-free digital payment platform for vehicle repairs and services, enabling owners to spread their costs. It also delivers an instalment financing solution using proprietary AI-enabled technology to facilitate real-time lending decisions.

Bumper enables dealerships and garages to sell a larger proportion of red and amber work, reducing workshop downtime, with no risks or liabilities, while also creating greater customer loyalty.

Named 21st fastest-growing fintech in the 2022 FT1000 rankings of Europe’s fastest-growing companies, Bumper works with over 3,000 dealerships and garages across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, helping over 160,000 drivers to fund their servicing and repair bills.

Bumper operates from the UK, Spain and Germany.

For more information on how Bumper can grow your aftersales volume contact our sales team at sales@bumper.co.uk. 

Team Bumper attend Motortec Madrid 2022

Bumper has launched its digital payment platform for car repairs, servicing and add-ons in Germany.

This marks UK-based Bumper’s debut in continental Europe, following last year’s launch in Ireland, and is part of an expansion plan which will shortly see it roll out across other key European markets.

The service is launching with D+S Automobile, one of Germany’s most prominent Jaguar Land Rover retailers, following the recent Series A funding investment in Bumper by JLR’s InMotion Ventures investment arm.

“We’re delighted to partner with D+S Automobile and offer its customers access to our portfolio of interest-free Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and PayNow services,” said 

“As Europe’s biggest automotive market, Germany will play a pivotal role in the growth of Bumper across the continent.

 on German roads has increased to 9.8 years and is likely to continue to rise with the ongoing disruption of new car supplies. As these vehicles age the risk of major repairs becoming necessary also increases. 

“Our team in Germany is already talking to dealers and OEMs about how the Bumper platform is helping workshops in the UK and Ireland take the pain out of servicing and repair bills, prompting customers to authorise more work and building loyalty and satisfaction,” said Allman.

The international expansion follows the Financial Times ranking Bumper as one of Europe’s fastest-growing companies in the 

Bumper launches digital payment platform in Germany

Bumper is offering LEVC taxi owners in London access to interest-free credit for servicing and repair bills.

The Bumper service is being promoted through LEVC’s London Central dealership in Islington and marks the first collaboration between Bumper and a specialist electric vehicle manufacturer.

Owner-drivers using the funding facility are able to spread the cost of servicing and repairing their taxis over six or nine monthly instalments, up to a total of £3,000. Also covered are accessories, extended warranty, GAP and tyres.

Ryan Warren, service manager at LEVC London Central says the introduction of Bumper’s payment platform has been welcomed by taxi drivers eager to spread costs and minimise downtime. 

“Since the introduction of Bumper we have been able to assist even more of our customers, helping to get them back on the road as quickly as possible,” he said.

“Many of the drivers appreciate the option of using this service following the uncertainty of the last two years and the impact it's had on taxi drivers. The option to use Bumper gives drivers peace of mind and helps them balance their finances.”

Bumper is reporting a high uptake for the facility, especially from taxi owners wishing to spread the cost of GAP products.

“We’re delighted to be working alongside LEVC and the team at London Central to enable London taxi owners to spread the costs of their bills and get their vehicles back on the road as soon as possible,” said Jack Allman, COO and co-founder, Bumper.

“We have already proved how dealers offering our interest-free Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform can convert more aftersales work and achieve higher average invoice values because customers are empowered to finance all the work they need doing, not just what they can afford at the time.

“The aftersales taxi market is an important area of growth for us and we’re planning to rollout to owner-drivers across the UK and into Europe,” he said.

Bumper offers LEVC taxi owners in London access to interest-free aftersales payments

 has significantly expanded its executive team with four new appointments as the fast-growing business prepares the next stage of its growth in automotive payments.

All four bring a wealth of experience from some of the UK’s leading, FinTech disruptors, tech unicorns and financial services businesses and take up newly created positions within the business following the completion of its Series A funding round in December.

“We’re delighted to welcome Francisca Gutierrez, Leah Ellis, 

 and Matt Williams to the expanded executive team,” said James Jackson, CEO and co-founder, Bumper. 

“They’re all super talented and highly regarded in their respective fields with collective experience in FinTech and fast-growing disruptive start-ups, which will help us achieve our ambitious growth strategy as we increase our share of digital payments and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) in the UK and across Europe,” he said.

Francisca Gutierrez has been appointed chief product officer, joining the company from Experian where she served as domain leader and senior product manager. 

Gutierrez is managing the international launch of the Bumper platform into continental Europe, starting with Germany, followed by Spain, then Netherlands and Portugal. She is also leading the development of a new white-label customer app which will be offered by dealer groups to help improve aftersales retention. 

Paul Edgecombe has joined as chief compliance officer from Selina Finance, where he was head of risk and compliance. Edgecombe has worked in compliance across FinTechs as well as challenger and high street banks, with senior roles at Barclays, Santander and Harrods Bank.

He will be responsible for implementing and managing Bumper’s compliance programme, ahead of the introduction of new regulatory rules in the BNPL market. He will also oversee the extended regulatory compliance as Bumper launches into new territories.

Matt Williams joins in February as chief growth officer from Trainline, where he was head of growth technology, prior to which he was strategic analytics director with Jellyfish and head of analytics and optimisation at Rightmove.

A specialist in analytics and marketing, part of his remit will be to lead an expanded team of marketeers to grow Bumper’s B2C proposition.

 has joined as interim chief people officer having amassed considerable experience in managing staff growth at tech start-ups, most recently at Goodlord, the property lettings platform, and Eve Sleep, the online sleep brand. 

She will manage the rapid employee growth Bumper is planning, which will take its headcount from 40 to over 100 staff within the next 12 months.

Bumper expands executive team with all-star appointments, as it ramps up growth plans

With the cost of owning a car skyrocketing, new research conducted by vehicle repairs service 

 has found that, of those who needed repairs, UK drivers spent an average of £803 last year on car repairs.

The research asked 2,320 UK drivers over the age of 18 if they have needed vehicle repairs in the last 12 months. Almost two-thirds (64%) of those questioned said they did have to fork out for repairs in the past 12 months, with an 

 (the lowest repair cost stated was just £37, while the highest was £1,796).

The latest National Travel Survey conducted by the Department for Transport* estimated that they are approximately 35.9m driving licence holders in the UK. When multiplied by the average cost that drivers admit spending in the past year on vehicle repairs, this would mean that drivers who required motor repairs in the past year collectively spent an estimated £18.5bn.

The results found that the below cities were home to the motorists who had to shell out the most on their car repairs:

Meanwhile, the cities which reported the lowest repair costs were found to be Liverpool (£37), Newcastle (£61) and Cardiff (£85).

The survey also asked respondents what repairs they needed to pay for over the past year. The most common answers were:

Interestingly, drivers in the South West were more likely to need tyres replaced that the rest of the country, with 73% saying they needed this repair done. Meanwhile, in the North of England, the most 

 reported was windscreen repair/replacement (59%).

“We all know that maintaining a vehicle can be expensive, but this new research really highlights just how much vehicle owners might need to spend every year. High repair costs can leave some road users feeling unable to maintain a vehicle and therefore unable to travel for both essential reasons, such as work or childcare, and also to do the things they love, such as visit friends and family or even go on holiday.

“Since the start of the year, we’ve seen the cost of living increase rapidly, particularly in the motoring sector with the cost of fuel reaching record highs. It’s more important than ever that drivers are aware of the cost of repairs and different ways to manage the financial strain of this. From putting aside a little bit of money for future repairs every month to looking into affordable buy now, pay later services, there are many ways to stay on top of your vehicle costs so that you’re not left stranded.”

Founded in 2013, Bumper (formerly Auto Service Finance) provides an interest-free digital payment platform for vehicle repairs and services, enabling owners to spread their costs. It also delivers an instalment financing solution using proprietary AI-enabled technology to facilitate real-time lending decisions.

 fastest-growing fintech in the 2022 FT1000 rankings of Europe’s fastest-growing companies, Bumper works with over 3,000 dealerships and garages across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, helping over 160,000 drivers to fund their servicing and repair bills.

Bumper is based in London and Sheffield, with a tech development centre in Ankara, Turkey.

UK motorists have collectively spent over £18bn on car repairs in the last year

Cars, like any machine, don't last forever. They consist of complex systems with numerous moving parts that endure daily stress, temperature extremes, and friction. 

Over time, components wear out, fluids need replenishing, and electrical parts may fail. As a result, certain car problems frequently occur, leading mechanics to perform the same repairs repeatedly.

In this blog, we'll cover the most common car repairs. The good news? Many can be avoided or delayed with proper 

Here are the nine most common car repairs:

Spark plugs are small but essential, igniting the fuel to start your engine. 

Though inexpensive and replaceable at home, proper installation is crucial. Delayed or incorrect replacement can cause serious engine and transmission damage. 

Whether you DIY or visit a service centre, ensure this common car repair is done correctly.

 comes on, a loose fuel cap is often to blame. 

Ignoring it can reduce gas mileage, as excess air in the tank causes fuel to burn faster, leading to more frequent fill-ups and higher long-term costs.

Oxygen sensors measure exhaust oxygen levels to optimise engine performance and emissions by regulating the air-fuel ratio.

So long as the ratio of air and petrol in the chambers remains optimal, your engine will run just as it should. Replace these as and when required!

4. Ensuring brakes and pads are replaced on time 

Everyone knows brakes are important. More than a quarter of all car accidents happen because a vehicle didn't — or couldn't — stop in time to avoid a collision. 

, which wear down naturally with everyday use. 

On their own and when done on schedule, the cost of replacement isn’t pricey. Regular brake maintenance can also cover brake discs, drums, lines, and rotors.

If you're worried about car repairs, then Bumper could help by splitting the cost into interest-free monthly instalments at no cost to you.

 in your car every 3,000 miles or so to keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently.

Oil collects debris over time, reducing its lubricating ability. Fortunately, oil changes are easy to learn through online or DIY courses.

Keeping accurate records of oil changes can boost your car's resale or trade-in value. Some mechanics will even put a sticker on your windscreen reminding you when the 

Without well-inflated tyres and treads appropriate for the weather, you can sacrifice control, speed, and fuel efficiency.

It's vital to get your tires patched quickly anytime you run over a sharp object like a chunk of broken glass, anytime you notice a leak, or if the tires have simply become too worn. 

Mechanics are also trained to spot tire issues, even during unrelated repairs.

The ignition system on a car includes the starter, battery, and the ignition key or button assembly on the dashboard. 

If any of those pieces aren't working, the engine won't turn over — or you might end up with an engine failure in mid-journey. This is one of the most common repairs on cars, and one to watch out for!

In addition to the ignition and starter, key electrical components like fuses and light bulbs that need regular replacement are also connected to your battery. 

These types of repairs can easily be done at home, and the components are easy to find at shops like Halfords, which stock automotive goods.

Just do a bit of homework and be sure you have the correct specifications in fuses or bulbs.

Car alarms installed after the car leaves the dealer’s forecourt often cause problems. 

Alarm systems need to draw power from the car’s battery and electrical system in order to operate. As an add-on the alarm can cause other systems to receive less power than they need and fail. They can also kill the battery if installed incorrectly. 

Ensure the alarm matches your car's electrical specs, or you may face costly removal.

The alternator charges your battery and powers the electrical system. It’s a critical component of any car and responsible for safe driving. 

Signs of failure include dim headlights, a dead battery, or a dashboard warning light. If you notice any of these, have your alternator checked and replaced if needed.

An overheating engine can be caused by a wide range of issues, from a malfunctioning radiator to a cooling system leak.

If you realise your engine is overheating you must pull over and turn your car off. Allow the car to cool down and then open the bonnet and check the coolant level. If low, top up the coolant. If the overheating problem continues, you must visit a mechanic.

If you do find yourself facing a large repair bill for something unexpected, a 

You might also consider a ‘buy now, pay later’ service like Bumper, which lets you get the repairs you need quickly while deferring payments in easy interest-free instalments. 

By staying informed about common car repairs, you can make smarter decisions that save you time, money, and stress. Regular maintenance and attention to early warning signs help you prevent minor issues from becoming major problems — which is 

Embracing these tips and working with a trusted mechanic when needed will not only extend the life of your car but also ensure a safer, smoother, and more enjoyable driving experience. 

Bookmark this page so you don’t forget these most common auto repairs!

has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

11 Common Car Repairs Drivers Need To Know

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Find all the latest industry news and handiest car repair and service tips on the Bumper Blog. Want to get the Bumper view on something? Let us know and we’ll drop a blog post on it as soon as we can.