A car service can cost very different amounts depending on the car, the workshop and what is done. This guide collects dated, attributed figures that several sources have published, explains what usually drives the price, and lists what to ask before approving extra work. Car Buyers Assist is an independent information site. We do not provide servicing or quotes, and we have not calculated a national average, because the figures below come from different sources measuring different things.
Short answer: how much does a car service cost?
Published figures for a minor service range roughly from about $180 to about $300 in the sources below, and logbook and major services are published at higher levels and vary more. Treat them as ballparks and get a written, itemised quote for your car.
Published figures by source (checked 16 October 2026)
| Service | Figure published | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Minor service | “Around $220 to $245” | Canstar, citing oneflare; page published 13 April 2025, modified 13 April 2026 |
| Logbook service | About $370 to $385 | Canstar, citing oneflare; same page |
| Basic service (Brisbane workshop) | $180 to $400 | Car One Automotive; published 21 September 2025, updated 4 October 2025 |
| Minor service (Brisbane workshop) | $180 to $300 | Car One Automotive; same page |
| Major service (Brisbane workshop) | Often $500 to $800 | Car One Automotive; same page, which also says logbook or major work can climb to $600 or more |
| Minor service, standard non-European car | $180 described as “a good benchmark” | Blue Toro (mobile mechanic franchise); published 2018, modified 2021, so older |
These are published by commercial parties without independent methodology, and the Brisbane and Blue Toro figures come from businesses that sell servicing. Canstar’s page also gives state averages for all service types combined, sourced to oneflare, and says an average for major services is hard to pin down. We do not reproduce a national figure from them. The RAC (WA) article lists indicative prices only for individual items, such as brake pads and rotors at $500 to $1,100 per axle and timing belts at $1,500, and does not publish minor, logbook or major service prices (published in 2024). Repco’s page publishes no prices.
Sources: Canstar, Car One, Blue Toro, RAC, Repco. Accessed 16 October 2026.
Minor, basic, logbook and major: what the terms usually mean
Sources do not define these the same way, so ask the workshop what its quote includes.
| Service | Usually described as |
|---|---|
| Minor or basic | Oil and filter change, fluid checks and top-ups, and checks of brakes, tyres and lights (Canstar, Car One) |
| Logbook | Work to the manufacturer’s schedule for the distance or time reached. Blue Toro says a full logbook minor service should include logbook checks and an itemised invoice. |
| Major | A fuller inspection and tune-up. Car One says it adds items such as spark plugs and brake fluid. Canstar lists possible alignment, suspension and brake checks and battery tests. |
What affects the price
- Make and model. Canstar says Asian brands such as Toyota, Mazda and Hyundai are generally cheaper to service than European or luxury brands.
- Service type and interval. Schedules vary. Repco’s page notes newer cars often have longer intervals, such as 15,000 km or 12 months.
- Workshop and location. Labour rates differ between workshops.
- Parts and fluids. Genuine versus aftermarket parts, per Car One.
- Vehicle age and condition. Older cars often cost more to maintain, according to Canstar.
- Extra work. Items outside the service, such as brakes, tyres, belts and batteries, are quoted separately. RAC publishes indicative item prices.
Dealer or independent workshop
Canstar says using an independent garage does not automatically void a manufacturer’s warranty, that consumers can choose who services their car provided the work meets the manufacturer’s standards, and that dealer servicing is not necessarily much more expensive. Car One says dealerships often charge higher labour rates and typically insist on genuine parts. Repco says independent mechanics can service a car within warranty without voiding it and may charge less. Check your warranty terms and keep itemised records either way.
Capped-price servicing
Some manufacturers cap the price of standard servicing for a set period, and Canstar says the cap usually applies only if conditions are met, such as using an approved mechanic. RAC notes a capped-price guarantee does not necessarily set the maximum you will be charged, and that wear items like tyres, brake pads and wipers are often excluded. Ask what is capped, for how long and what is excluded.
What is and is not usually included
| Often included | Often charged extra |
|---|---|
| Labour, scheduled fluid replacement and some parts (RAC) | Tyres, brake pads and rotors, wipers and batteries |
| Oil and filter change, fluid top-ups and a general inspection | Air conditioning service, injection service, decarbonisation and other add-ons (Blue Toro) |
Questions to ask before approving extra work
- Can I have an itemised written quote before work starts?
- Is this item part of the logbook schedule or an add-on?
- Is the work needed now, or can it wait? Can you show me the part?
- Are the parts genuine or aftermarket, and is there a warranty on the work?
- Will you call me before doing anything beyond the quote?
Repco’s page warns that very cheap fixed-price deals can carry hidden costs and that a mechanic may upsell further work, so confirm that extra work is actually required.
Buying a used car? Include servicing in the budget
Service history and upcoming work affect the true cost of a used car. See what to check when buying a used car, the pre-purchase inspection cost guide and our wider buy a car guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a basic car service cost?
Published figures differ. Canstar, citing oneflare, gives about $220 to $245 for a minor service, and a Brisbane workshop publishes $180 to $300. Get an itemised quote for your car.
How much does a logbook service cost?
Canstar, citing oneflare, gives about $370 to $385 as a ballpark, and says major services vary more widely. The cost depends on the car and the schedule.
Is a dealer service more expensive than an independent one?
Often labour rates are higher at dealerships, but Canstar says dealer servicing is not necessarily much more expensive. Compare itemised quotes.
Does servicing at an independent workshop void my warranty?
Not automatically. Sources say you can choose who services the car provided the work meets the manufacturer’s standards. Check your warranty terms.
What is capped-price servicing?
A manufacturer program that caps the price of scheduled services for a set period, usually with conditions. Wear items are often excluded.
Does Car Buyers Assist service cars or give quotes?
No. We provide independent information and buyer assistance only.
This article is general information only and is not mechanical, legal or financial advice. Prices and conditions change; confirm current details with the workshop. Car Buyers Assist is not a government agency and does not provide servicing or quotes.
Written and reviewed by the team at Car Buyers Assist. Figures from third-party sources are attributed and dated; we have not verified their methodology. Accessed 16 October 2026.