Eve McPherson
How long a car service takes will vary depending on the type of service that you book.
An interim service is the least in-depth option and can take around 1 to 2 hours to complete. A full service takes around 3 hours – it’s normal for a full service to take up most of the morning or afternoon. A major service is the most extensive of the three, taking 4 hours or more to complete.
Your car may be at the garage for longer if any issues are found during the appointment – or if you've dropped it off in the morning and are collecting it at the end of the day.
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How Long Does a Car Service Take?
Service Type | Time Taken |
|---|---|
1 to 2 hours | |
Around 3 hours | |
4 hours or more |
Why Is My Service Taking Longer Than Expected?
It’s not just the service type that can affect how long your car is at the garage.
Extra Faults Might Be Identified
Your service can take longer if the garage finds additional faults that need to be addressed.
The age and condition of your car can also have an impact, as older vehicles may have more wear and tear to address.
In the event additional work is required, the garage should contact you before carrying this out.
Parts May Need to Be Ordered
The garage may find that parts are required to complete your service, which can add to the time it takes if they need to order them in.
How the Garage Structures Its Day
If the garage is particularly busy, or they ask that you drop off your car and collect it later in the day, this can add to how long your car is at the garage.
How Long Does an MOT and Service Take Together?
An MOT can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, so you should plan for around 4 hours when booking a full service alongside it.
The process can be longer if faults are found during the MOT, so it may be worth setting aside more time than you actually end up needing.
You may wish to book an MOT and service at the same time so that you only need to make one trip to the garage.
Should You Wait or Drop the Car Off?
Whether you can wait at the garage will depend on the garage itself, whether it has a waiting room, and how long the service type you've booked takes.
Waiting can work well if your car will be at the garage for a shorter length of time, but for longer services, you may wish to drop the vehicle off instead.
For a full or major service, it's probably best to drop your car off so that you can get on with your day without having to sit in a waiting room.
Bear in mind that the appointment could take longer if additional issues are identified.
Book Your Service with BookMyGarage
Got an idea of how long your vehicle’s service will take? On BookMyGarage, you can find a time that works for you and the right local garage to carry out your car’s service in no time.
Whether you need an interim, full or major service, you can compare your options all in one place based on what matters most to you – be it price, availability or location.
If your MOT is due soon, you can even add one to your service booking to make your life easier.
Sort your car’s service appointment out today and tick something off your to-do list.
Frequently asked questions
If your car is still under warranty, it's a good idea to stick to the manufacturer's schedule to keep the warranty valid.
For high-mileage drivers, booking an interim service every 6 months can also be a good idea, whilst booking a major service every 2 years gives your car the most thorough check.
Delaying a car service can see minor issues worsen, so always book car servicing at the appropriate intervals.
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