Key Points
- The cost of a basic oil change starts around $110.
- Bottom-tier car service packages cost around $250.
- Premium service deals cost between $300-$400.
A regular car service is an important factor in keeping your automobile on the road, running safely and smoothly. A car service can also help to maximise your car's overall lifespan and potentially increase its resale value when it comes time to sell.
Servicing can range from a routine once-over, comprising topping up of fluids and an oil and filter change, to a more comprehensive inspection, testing a variety of components, which can take hours.
We look at the cost of a car service at the major automotive chains in NZ:
Cost of service at: AA Auto Centre
AA Auto Centre has 38 locations across the country, and offers four levels of service, for both petrol and diesel cars, using either standard or advanced oil.
Service Package | Details | Price* |
AA Bronze Service | A 26-point service that includes an engine oil change, oil filter replacement and fundamental item and fluid checks. | Standard Oil – AA member: $239; non-member: $259 Advanced Oil – AA member: $319; non-member: $339 |
AA Silver Service | A 32-point annual service, includes all features of the Bronze Service in addition to interior cleaning and checks of wheel bearings and seatbelt condition. | Standard Oil – AA member: $269; non-member: $299 Advanced Oil – AA member: $349; non-member: $379 |
AA Gold Service | A 40-point annual service, covering the same components as the Silver Service, plus extra checks on engine management system, air con, brakes and tyre rotation, if needed. | Standard Oil – AA member: $329; non-member: $369 Advanced Oil – AA member: $409; non-member: $449 |
AA EV Service | A 32-point annual service, covering: brake, cooling, and reduction drive/gear drive fluid levels, park brake and brake pad inspection, tyre inspection/rotation and cabin clean.
| AA member: from $149; non-member: from $169 |
Cost of service at: Advantage
Midway through 2023, Beaurepaires and Advantage The Tyre Professionals merged, rebranding under the new name Advantage Tyre Solutions. Together, Kiwi-owned Advantage operates over 60 retails stores nationally. It offers a range of different service packages, along with products and services focused on tyres, wheels, batteries, oil, wheel alignment and wheel balancing.
Service Package | Details | Price* |
Car Tyre Maintenance Package/SUV/4WD Tyre Care Package | Wheel alignment, wheel balancing and tyre rotation, along with a six-point safety check. | Car Tyre Maintenance Package: $199 SUV/4WD Tyre Care Package: $217 |
Shell Helix Ultra Service Package | Changing the oil filter, draining dirty oil from the engine and replacing it with Shell Helix Ultra motor oil, and an 18-point safety check. | $239 |
Shell Helix Ultra Service Package with Wheel Alignment | Covering the same components as the Shell Helix Ultra Service Package, plus a wheel alignment for either a passenger car, or an SUV/ ute/4WD/van-type vehicle. | $299 |
Shell Helix Ultra Deluxe Service Package | Changing the oil filter, draining dirty oil from the engine and replacing it with Shell Helix Ultra motor oil, along with a wheel alignment and tyre rotation for either a passenger car, or an SUV/ute/4WD/van-type vehicle, a headlight restoration on both headlights, replacement wiper blades and an 18-point safety check. | $399 |
Shell Helix Ultra Oil Change | Changing the oil filter, draining dirty oil from the engine and replacing it with Shell Helix Ultra motor oil. | $159 |
Cost of service at: Midas
Midas runs over 20 stores around the country, and provides customers a variety of service options for different vehicles. Its range of service packages are designed to focus on key vehicle maintenance areas.
Service Package | Details | Prices from* |
Basic Service | Check and set tyre pressures, check and top-up under-bonnet fluids, lubricate doors and chassis, replace engine oil filter up to $27, replace engine oil up to 4.5l standard oil and reset service/maintenance light. | $234.95 |
Smart Service | Check and set tyre pressures, check and top-up under-bonnet fluids, lubricate doors and chassis, replace engine oil filter up to $29, replace engine oil up to 4.5l standard oil and reset service/maintenance light, along with a 33-point visual inspection, including checking fluids, under bonnet, under vehicle, brakes and tyres. | $299.95 |
Premium Service | Check and set tyre pressures, check and top-up under-bonnet fluids, lubricate doors and chassis, oil flush or fuel additive, engine management system scan, replace engine oil filter up to $35, replace engine oil up to 4.5l synthetic oil, reset service/maintenance light and rotate tyres, along with 33-point visual inspection. | $404.95 |
Diesel Service | Check and set tyre pressures, check and top-up under-bonnet fluids, check diesel fuel filter and drain water from fuel separator, lubricate doors and chassis, replace engine oil filter up to $45, replace engine oil up to 4.5l synthetic oil and reset service/maintenance light, along with 33-point visual inspection. | $394.95 |
Euro Service | Check and set tyre pressures, check and top-up under-bonnet fluids, lubricate doors and chassis, engine management system scan, replace engine oil filter up to $35, replace engine oil up to 4.5l synthetic oil, reset service/maintenance light and rotate tyres, along with 33-point visual inspection. | $414.95 |
Log Book Service | Check and set tyre pressures, check and top-up under-bonnet fluids, checks and inspections of vehicle as per the vehicle logbook, lubricate doors and chassis, engine management system scan, replace engine oil filter up to $35, replace engine oil up to 4.5l synthetic oil, reset service/maintenance light and rotate tyres, along with 33-point visual inspection. | $394.95 |
Cost of service at: Oil Changers
Oil Changers oversees 14 locations, and provides a variety of different services (in addition to the services outlined below) catering to different vehicle requirements. Note that it does not do repairs, only fluid servicing.
Service Package | Details | Prices from* |
Oil and Filter Service Package | Up to 4l of mineral oil; replace oil filter; fluid level check; visual inspection of coolants, engine air filtration system, belts and wiper blades; tyre-pressure check; exterior window clean and chassis lubrication. | $109.95 |
Engine Flush | Cleans contaminants from engine, delivering better performance and fuel economy, reduced emissions and longer engine life. | $39.95 |
Automatic Transmission | Transmission fluid replacement, to extend life of transmission and promote smooth gear changes. | $179.95 |
Manual Transmission | Transmission fluid replacement, to extend life of transmission and promote smooth gear changes. | $64.95 |
CVT Transmission Service | Transmission fluid replacement, to extend life of transmission and promote smooth gear changes. | $149.95 |
Cost of service at: Pit Stop
Pit Stop has over 40 stores across the country, providing a range of products and services, including general vehicle repairs, brakes, suspension and vehicle servicing. Service packages include:
Service Package | Details | Prices from* |
Express | Oil and filter change plus a 15-point check and top-up of washer fluids and coolant. | $199 |
Extensive | Oil and filter change, computer and systems health check, 25-point check and essential fluids top-ups, lubrication of door hinges, tyre treatment, and road test and report. | $239 |
Elite | Oil and filter change, computer and systems health check, 30-point check, essential fluid top-ups, brake fluid change, brake component clean and component adjustments, lubrication of door hinges, rotate tyres (if required), tyre treatment, vacuum footwells, and road test and report. | $359 |
Eurocar | Oil and filter change, computer and systems health check, 25-point check, essential fluid top-ups, lubrication of door hinges, tyre treatment, and road test and report. | $319 |
4x4s, utes & vans | Oil and filter change, computer and systems health check, 25-point check, essential fluid top-ups, lubrication of door hinges, tyre treatment, and road test and report. | $369 |
Hybrid | Oil and filter change, computer and systems health check, 25-point check, essential fluid top-ups, lubrication of door hinges, tyre treatment, and road test and report. | $239 |
EVs | A 22-point check, computer and systems health check, essential fluid top-ups, lubrication of door hinges, tyre treatment, and road test and report. | $129 |
Cost of service at: Tony's Tyre & Auto Care
Tony’s Tyre & Auto Care is a Kiwi brand that has been around for four decades and operates 40 stores nationwide. Tony’s stores stock a wide range of tyre and battery brands, and select locations offer car servicing, repairs and WoF inspections.
Service Package | Details | Price* |
Express Service | A 17-point check that covers a change of engine oil and oil filter replacement, a check of drive belts, coolants and fluids, the inspection of brakes and suspension, plus general safety checks. | From $249 |
Express Plus | A 31-point check that covers a change of engine oil and oil filter replacement, spark-plug checks, the inspection of transmission and engine mounts, brakes and suspension, a check of drive belts, coolants and fluids, plus general safety checks. | $319 |
Cost of service at: VTNZ
VTNZ has over 100 branches nationwide, providing a range of services, including Warrant of Fitness (WoF), Certificate of Fitness (CoF) and vehicle condition assessments, along with regular basic servicing.
Service Package | Details | Price* |
Maintenance Check | Looks at 14 major features that aren't part of a WoF, across the engine, drive belts, radiator, oil, engine coolant and clutch fluids, battery, tyres, emergency kit, wiper blades and windscreen. | $49 ($28 when added to WoF) |
Safety Assessment | Checks the key safety elements of a usual WoF assessment, including windscreen washers and wipers, engine oil level and condition, lights, steering, tyre condition, brake operation, steering and suspension, glazing, the interior vehicle condition, airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control, speedometer, safety belts, structural condition, exhaust, the exterior vehicle condition and fuel system. | $65 |
*Basic prices correct as of 11/04/2025. Further information on pricing can be found at service centre websites. This should be used as a starter guide and not considered an actual quote.
How often should I service my car?
How often you should service your car is usually explained in your car logbook or owner manual. Your car manufacturer will usually recommend maximum times and distances to leave between servicing intervals, considering factors such as the age, make and model of your vehicle.
But as a general rule of thumb, professional servicing is recommended every 12 months or 10,000km (whichever comes first), but this may vary. If you have an older car, you might choose to service it more regularly, such as every 5000km.
When working out what's best for your car, you need to take into consideration:
- Its make, model and year
- How often you use it (kilometres travelled)
- Your normal type of driving, such as city or country driving
You should also pay attention to the things you can do yourself in terms of basic maintenance between services. This includes checking tyre pressure and engine oil levels and ensuring all the car's lights are operational, etc.
Of course, if you notice any issues in between services (such as warning lights coming on, or irregular noises) it's important to get the problem looked at sooner rather than later.
How to choose a service centre
When it comes to choosing a service centre, it's worthwhile shopping around. Find a business that you feel comfortable with, that is convenient for you, offers competitive pricing and caters to your needs.
Some factors to consider include:
- Qualifications/experience – what sort of qualifications and experience do the mechanics hold? Do they have particular areas of expertise?
- Word of mouth/reviews – does the service centre come via the recommendation of a friend or colleague, and what are the online reviews like?
- Scope of services – what different types of services are provided, and is servicing provided for your make and model of car? Do you require specialised servicing?
- Appointment – is an appointment required, and can you book online? What are the waiting times generally like?
- Pricing – how does the pricing compare to other service centres in the area?
It's important to keep in mind that there are a range of options available, and if you're looking for a new service provider, or thinking of switching providers, you should actively seek out a best deal.
Compare car insurance with Canstar