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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that if you only drive 4/5 thousand miles per year that you only need to service your car every 2 years?

40 replies

JeremyVineyard · 08/05/2025 18:47

At least that's what I'm doing now that I WFH virtually full time.
Anyone else doing this?

YABU = Cars must be serviced every year!
YANBU = A service every two years is fine if you're only driving 5k per year.

OP posts:
KellySeveride · 08/05/2025 19:18

We service our diesel cars twice a year sometimes.

I have 18 years of trade experience incase you were wondering.

KellySeveride · 08/05/2025 19:16

You are absolutely wrong. There are so many other things to take into account. For a start petrol or diesel. A diesel should absolutely be serviced every 12 months regardless of mileage. A petrol can go a bit longer. It depends if the oil filter is paper or cartridge. A paper filter breaks down over time and can cause serious engine issues so yearly for paper filters is important.

I do not understand why people do not realise that regular services are vital to keeping a car running smoothly.

Original poster
JeremyVineyard · 08/05/2025 19:14

I suppose maybe every 18 months is a reasonable compromise.

OP posts:
Original poster
JeremyVineyard · 08/05/2025 19:13

I'm not worried about selling it as I will usually keep cars until they are on their last legs.

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 08/05/2025 19:12

Maybe if wfh is not going to end, you ought to think about getting rid of the car. A few taxis and hire cars for holidays would probably be cheaper.

TwentyKittens · 08/05/2025 19:07

I'd think a car that wasn't used much would potentially have issues with parts not working properly because of lack of use, so no I would have a yearly service. I wouldn't buy a car without a yearly service history.

MassiveOvaryaction · 08/05/2025 19:06

When I test drove my car, the salesman told me it needed servicing "every year or 12 calendar months" - yes, those exact words.. I asked if the number of miles mattered and he realised what he'd said Grin

Mine's had 18 months or so between the last few as I wasn't driving as far. As long as you're keeping on top of oil/water/tyre checks etc I think it's probably ok.

user101101 · 08/05/2025 19:04

It’s good for it to be checked over every year. MOT only checks bare minimum. My service spotted cracked tyres which passed the MOT

SingWithMeJustForToday · 08/05/2025 19:04

No. Mostly because my car will be worth a lot more with a full service history; but also because low mileage cars can actually suffer more issues… so the service helps keep an eye.

Mynewnameis · 08/05/2025 19:03

Lower mileage cars can need more attention

tinygingermum · 08/05/2025 19:02

I would at least get the oil and oil filter changed every year even if everything else was every 2 years.

ThisOldThang · 08/05/2025 18:59

I guess it depends...

If you're planning to keep the car, you could skip the services because it's unlikely to be a problem before you sell it. But... When you sell the car, it would have been worth more with a full service history. I wouldn't consider buying a car that didn't have one.

If you're planning on keeping it until it dies, then you could service it alternate years - but it might not last as long, so that could be self-defeating.

I just get mine serviced every year.

Theunamedcat · 08/05/2025 18:54

I do oil and filter changes each year in a mini service big service every two I only used to drive 2/3000 miles a year no idea how much I've driven this year 😅 but definitely booking in a bigger service

TheDandyLion · 08/05/2025 18:52

We service the car when it's done 12k miles which for us has usually been every 2 years.

hobblingAlong · 08/05/2025 18:51

I service my car when it tells me. I think even if you don’t use it much the oil still needs changing to keep it running smoothly.