What is an interim car service?
What’s included, what’s the cost and why’s it important?
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An interim car service is a great stopgap between the more intense routine servicing. It covers the basic checks and maintenance to keep your car’s consumables in check and to keep it road safe.
There are three typical types of car servicing – interim (or minor), full and major. These can also be known as a 'standard' service, as names differ across the industry.
While full and major services are comprehensive and provide full checks as well as replacements, interim services cover the basic checks and fluid top-ups.
Usually, an interim service would include an oil change, oil filter change and a full inspection of the car.
They typically cost between £70 and £250, depending on the car and the garage. You should aim to get an interim service every six months or 6,000 miles.
We don’t offer a full interim/minor service at cinch, but you can book an oil and filter change for £129.95.
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When should I book my interim service?
While interim servicing is recommended every six months or 6,000 miles – how does this fit into your typical servicing schedule?
A full service is due every 12,000 miles or every 12 months, while a major service is recommended every two years.
If you’re feeling really attentive to your car, you could follow:
Every six months: interim/minor service or an oil and filter change
Every 12 months: full service
Every two years: major service, and skip the full service that year
Some manufacturer warranties require you to follow a service schedule to ensure your warranty doesn’t void, so keep that in mind when you’re filling out your calendar.
You might also use an interim service to get you through until a full or major service fits your budget, as these are more expensive.
Interim car service checklist – what’s included?
What’s included in an interim service may differ depending on the garage, but you can usually expect:
Oil and filter change
Brake fluid checks
Tyre inspection and pressure adjustment
Fluid top-ups (coolant, washer, brake)
Lights and battery check
Steering and suspension inspection
Exhaust system check
How does an interim service differ from a full service?
Interim services are not as thorough and don't include as much as a full service. They’re still useful for upkeeping your car and finding issues before they develop any further.
Interim services are quicker than a full service as you aren’t getting as much included – that also makes them cheaper.
They’re not a substitute for a full service, though. Full servicing and interim servicing are both important parts of a proper car maintenance schedule.
A full service at cinch includes:
Oil and oil filter change
Top up on screen wash and coolant
In depth car health inspection - you'll find what's included in a cinch car health check here.
How do I know if I need an interim or full service?
There are a few ways you can figure out what service is right for you. You might want to consider:
When was the last service? You might opt for a full service if it’s been 12 months or 12,000 miles since the previous full service
Have you bought a used car? Check if your new used car has a service history and see when the next one is due. You might choose an interim service to freshen things up, even if it hasn’t reached the typical service interval yet
Does it fit your budget? Full servicing might not fit your budget right now, so an interim service could keep things ticking over in the meantime. Check this won’t impact your warranty though, and consider a service plan to help with budgeting
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Why book an interim car service?
An interim car service might seem overcautious, but it can save you hassle in the long run.
There are a few reasons why an interim service is worth it:
Prevent wear and tear by keeping fluid levels and tyres maintained
Keeps your car road safe and increases the chance it’ll pass an MOT
Spot minor issues before they grow into costly repairs
Might be required to keep your warranty valid
How much is an interim service?
An interim service usually costs between £70 and £250, or you can book a cinch oil and filter change for £129.95.
Prices will differ depending on your vehicle and the garage.
Interim service FAQs
How long does an interim service take?
Between one to two hours - depending on the garage, the condition of the car, how busy they are and what the interim service actually includes (it can differ at different locations).
If you’re booking at cinch, our expert technicians should be able to give you a guide on how long it might take.
Can I skip an interim service and wait for the next one?
You can – there's no legal requirement to service your car in the UK. You could also just stick to annual servicing, and missing a single interim service in the car’s lifetime is unlikely to cause irreparable damage.
Why is an interim the cheapest service?
Interim servicing is the cheapest as it doesn’t include as many checks and changes as other services, so doesn’t take as much time.
Does an interim service include an oil change?
Yes, interim servicing does usually include an oil change.
Book your interim car service
If it isn’t already, you should make an interim service a non-negotiable in your car maintenance routine.
They’re quick, cheaper than regular servicing, and stop bigger maintenance issues arising.
You can book a filter and oil change with cinch for £129.95 at one of our locations. We also offer MOTs, standard servicing and full servicing at competitive prices.
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