If you run a workshop, you need to know what a service costs across New Zealand before you set your own prices. This guide breaks down what basic, full and major services go for in 2026, what moves the price, and how to build a service menu from your labour rate and parts markup.
The figures are estimates drawn from published workshop prices and our own conversations with workshops. Treat them as a rough guide to check your pricing against, not a survey.
Basic Service
$150-250
oil change + basic checks
Full Service
$280-600
full inspection + filters
Major Service
$500-900+
all filters + spark plugs
In this guide
Service Types and What They Cost
Car services in NZ generally fall into three categories:
Basic Service (Oil & Filter Service)
The most common service type, typically every 10,000km or 6 months.
What’s Included:
- Engine oil drain and replacement
- Oil filter replacement
- Visual inspection of key components
- Fluid level checks and top-ups
- Tyre pressure check
- Basic safety inspection
| Vehicle Type | Basic Service Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese (Toyota, Honda, Mazda) | $150-220 | Most affordable, parts readily available |
| Korean (Hyundai, Kia) | $160-230 | Similar to Japanese |
| European (VW, BMW, Audi) | $220-350 | Higher oil capacity, specific oils required |
| Utes/4WD (Ranger, Hilux) | $180-280 | Larger oil capacity |
Full Service
A thorough service, typically every 12 months or 15,000-20,000km. This is what most customers mean when they say “full service”.
What’s Included (in addition to basic service):
- Air filter inspection/replacement
- Cabin/pollen filter inspection
- Brake inspection (pads, rotors, fluid)
- Suspension and steering check
- Cooling system inspection
- Battery test
- All lights and wipers check
- Drive belt inspection
- Road test
| Vehicle Type | Full Service Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese/Korean | $280-420 | 2-3 hours |
| European | $400-600 | 3-4 hours |
| Utes/SUVs | $320-500 | 2-4 hours |
| Performance/Luxury | $500-900+ | 3-5 hours |
Major Service
Performed at the big manufacturer intervals (commonly 80,000-100,000km; check the schedule for the vehicle). Includes all items in a full service plus:
Additional Items:
- Spark plug replacement
- Fuel filter replacement
- Transmission fluid check/change
- Coolant flush (if due)
- Brake fluid flush
- Detailed engine inspection
Cost: $500-900+ depending on vehicle and what’s due
Workshop Tip
Always give a detailed quote before starting work, especially for major services. Use the parts markup calculator to make sure the parts side of the quote is profitable.
Regional Pricing Variations
Service costs vary by location. Urban centres with higher rent and wages charge more than regional areas.
| Region | Full Service Range | Hourly Labour Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | $320-450 | $100-140/hr |
| Wellington | $300-420 | $95-130/hr |
| Christchurch | $290-400 | $90-125/hr |
| Hamilton/Tauranga | $280-380 | $90-120/hr |
| Regional NZ | $280-350 | $80-110/hr |
| Dealerships (any region) | $400-700+ | $120-180/hr |
These variations reflect differences in:
- Commercial rent: Auckland workshop rent can be a multiple of regional rents
- Technician wages: higher in cities to match cost of living
- Competition: more options in cities can push some prices down
- Customer expectations: urban customers often expect (and pay for) better facilities
What Affects Service Cost
Vehicle Make and Model
European vehicles typically cost 30-50% more to service than Japanese equivalents because of:
- Oil requirements: specific synthetic oils, larger capacity (some need 7-8 litres vs 4-5)
- Parts costs: OEM parts are often more expensive
- Complexity: more sophisticated systems needing specialist knowledge
- Access: components are often harder to reach, so more labour time
Service History
Vehicles with poor service history often cost more because:
- More items need attention
- Fluids may need flushing rather than topping up
- Hidden issues get found during inspection
Age and Mileage
Older and high-mileage vehicles need more attention:
- More components at or near replacement intervals
- Seals and gaskets more likely to need attention
- Suspension and steering wear
Common Pricing Mistake
Many workshops undercharge for European vehicle services. A BMW 3 Series service should sit 30-50% above an equivalent Toyota Corolla service because of oil, parts, and complexity. Check your labour rate and your time allowance, not just the parts.
Building Your Service Menu
Labour typically makes up 40-60% of a service bill, so your menu starts with your hourly rate. Rough guide to NZ labour rates:
| Workshop Type | Hourly Rate | Typical For |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Independent | $80-100/hr | Basic repairs, older vehicles |
| Standard Independent | $100-130/hr | General mechanical work |
| Specialist Workshop | $120-160/hr | European, performance, diesel |
| Dealership | $140-180/hr | Manufacturer-specific work |
Then price each tier as labour time × rate, plus parts at your markup. A worked example for a full service on a Japanese sedan at a standard independent:
- Labour: 2.5 hours × $120/hr = $300
- Parts: oil, oil filter, air filter at $70 cost, marked up 40% = $98
- Menu price: $398 + GST (sits inside the $280-420 range above)
- Gross margin on the job: $300 labour plus $28 parts margin, before your overheads and the tech’s wage
Do the same for basic and major, then check two things: that the tech can actually do the work in the time you allowed (clock-on/off data on the job card will tell you), and that the European version of each tier is priced 30-50% higher. Our labour rate and job profitability calculators do the arithmetic; the labour rates guide covers how to set the rate itself.
Other Common Service Costs
Beyond regular servicing, typical costs for common repairs and inspections:
| Service | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WoF Inspection | $50-75 | Annual for most of the fleet today. From 1 November 2026, light vehicles aged 4-14 years first registered on or after 1 November 2019 move to two-yearly WoFs (those registered 1 November 2013 to 31 October 2019 follow on 1 November 2027); new vehicles get their second WoF at 4 years; vehicles 14-26 years stay annual |
| Brake Pad Replacement (front) | $200-400 | Parts + labour |
| Cambelt/Timing Belt | $600-1,200 | Interval varies by engine; check the schedule |
| Battery Replacement | $180-350 | Depends on vehicle type |
| Wheel Alignment | $80-150 | 2-wheel or 4-wheel |
| Diagnostic Scan | $80-150 | Plus investigation time |
If WoFs are a door-opener for your service work, the 2026-27 change means fewer WoF visits from newer cars. Make sure your service reminders don’t depend on the WoF visit to bring those customers back.