As a general rule in Australia, you should service your car every 6 months or every 10,000–15,000 km, whichever comes first. The exact figure is set by your manufacturer's logbook, so a small commuter hatch and a turbo-diesel SUV may have different intervals. When in doubt, the logbook in your glovebox is the final word.
Why "whichever comes first" matters
The two halves of that rule catch two different kinds of wear. The distance covers cars that rack up kilometres quickly. A Doncaster-to-CBD commuter can hit 15,000 km well before six months. The time covers the opposite: a car driven only on weekends still ages. Oil breaks down, moisture builds up, rubber perishes and the battery weakens whether you drive or not. So a low-kilometre car in Reservoir that barely leaves the driveway still needs its six-monthly service.
What "severe" Melbourne driving does to the interval
Most logbooks list a "normal" and a "severe" service schedule. A surprising amount of everyday Melbourne driving counts as severe:
- Lots of short trips where the engine never fully warms up (classic inner-suburban driving).
- Stop-start peak-hour crawls along the Eastern Freeway or out through Box Hill.
- Towing, heavy loads, or frequent hot-then-cold cycles.
- Dusty or unsealed roads on the city fringe.
If that sounds like your week, lean toward the shorter end of the interval.
Not sure when yours is due?
Tell us your make, model and rough kilometres. We'll confirm the right interval and come to you to do it.
7 signs you're overdue for a service
Even if the calendar hasn't ticked over, these are your car telling you it needs attention:
- A service or check-engine light on the dash.
- Engine feels rough: hesitating, idling unevenly, or down on power.
- Strange noises: ticking, whining or knocking that wasn't there before.
- Drinking more fuel than usual for the same trips.
- Dirty, low or dark oil on the dipstick.
- Brakes feel different: softer pedal, squeal or longer stopping.
- It's simply been a while: you can't remember the last stamp in the logbook.
What you actually gain by servicing on time
- Fewer breakdowns. Most roadside dramas trace back to skipped maintenance.
- Lower running costs. Clean oil and filters keep fuel use and wear down.
- Safety. Brakes, tyres and steering get checked before they become a problem.
- Resale value. A complete, stamped logbook is worth real money at sale time.
- Warranty peace of mind. Keeping to the logbook with correct-spec parts keeps you on the right side of your manufacturer's requirements.
Make the interval easy to keep
The honest reason services get skipped is hassle: booking, dropping off, arranging a lift, collecting the car. A mobile mechanic removes all of that. MetroWide comes to your home or workplace anywhere across Greater Melbourne, from Preston in the north to the eastern suburbs and beyond, and does your logbook service in your driveway while you get on with your day. Afterpay is available if you'd rather spread the cost.
Due for a service, or not sure? Call 0490 792 860 or get a free quote. We come to you.