It’s common to be afraid of getting ripped off when getting a car service. The amount you can expect to pay for one can vary from $150 to $2,225 depending on a number of factors including the make and model of your car, the service centre you go to, the distance on your odometer and the type of service required. However, the average amount charged for a car service in Australia is between $150 and $550.
How Car Types and Models Affect Service Cost
The cost of servicing your car will depend largely on the model and make of your vehicle. Car servicing costs differ because certain cars require special spare part replacements, different kinds of engine oils and transmission fluids as well as having specific requirements when it comes down to scheduled servicing processes.
What kind of car you have introduces different variables that affect servicing cost. For example, petrol or diesel, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. However, the biggest variable is your car’s service intervals, with some vehicles requiring attention every six months, while others can go a full 12 months. Read your vehicle logbook for guidance on the specified and recommended service requirements for your car.
Type and Timing of Service
When it comes to the type of service your car needs, factors like how many kilometres your car has done and whether it’s due for a scheduled service can affect the overall price. For example, when you hit the following kilometres, the service needed is considered a major service:
- 60,000 km
- 120,000 km
- 180,000 km
- 240,000 km
- 300,000 km
- 360,000 km
The other key factor is whether any repairs are getting added in or whether it is your standard service that doesn’t involve any diagnosis or repair. In response to consumer suspicion about servicing prices, the automotive industry has aimed to improve transparency around the pricing of car servicing and repairs by introducing programs like price caps on services, fixed-price servicing and menu-based servicing.
Major vs. Minor Services
Major car services usually involve a full tune-up of your vehicle and the service provider will carefully inspect all aspects of it to ensure all components are working as they’re supposed to. Most of the major car servicing involves:
- Engine oil testing and replacement
- Filters testing and replacement
- Spark plugs repair and replacement
- Brakes inspection
- Wheel alignment
- Flush and change of fluids in the car
- Road test and safety inspection
- Battery load tests and other checks
Minor car services usually involve surface inspections and small repairs like checking the car tyres and filling them with air, replacing the fluid in the radiator, and other similar services. These minor repairs and services are usually included in long-term service contracts. These services don’t require replacing spare parts, special tools, or time-consuming repairs.
Contact Car Care Joondalup for Expert Servicing and Repairs
For minor or major auto repairs and servicing, our expert Joondalup mechanics can help. Call the team at Car care Joondalup on (08) 9300 9796 or contact us online today.