A "full service" means different things at different workshops. This guide lists what should be included, how a service differs from a WoF, and what to ask before you book. If you run a workshop, the last section shows how to turn the same checklist into your inspection template.
Checks Included
30+
in a full service
Time Required
2-4 hrs
for thorough service
Interval
12 mo
or 10-15,000km
Understanding Service Types
Not all services are equal. Here’s what each type typically includes. The prices are rough guides from published NZ workshop rates; your vehicle, your area and the parts needed will move them.
Basic / Interim Service
The minimum maintenance to keep your car running safely between full services.
- Engine oil drain and replacement
- Oil filter replacement
- Visual safety inspection
- Fluid level checks and top-ups
- Tyre pressure check
Typical cost: $150-$250 | Time: 30-60 min
Full Service (Comprehensive)
A thorough inspection and maintenance of all major systems. This is what most people mean when they say "service my car".
- Everything in basic service
- Air filter inspection/replacement
- Comprehensive brake inspection
- Suspension and steering check
- Battery test
- All fluids checked and topped
- Detailed road test
- Full written report
Typical cost: $300-$600 | Time: 2-4 hours
Major Service
A comprehensive service plus replacement of additional wear items that are due at longer intervals.
- Everything in full service
- Spark plug replacement
- Fuel filter replacement
- Transmission fluid service
- Coolant flush (if due)
- Brake fluid flush
Typical cost: $500-$900+ | Time: 3-5 hours
Full Service Checklist
Here’s everything that should be checked, inspected, or replaced in a comprehensive full service:
Engine & Fluids
| Item | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | Drain & replace | Use correct grade for your vehicle |
| Oil filter | Replace | Every service |
| Coolant/antifreeze | Check level & condition | Top up if needed, test concentration |
| Brake fluid | Check level & condition | Test for moisture content |
| Power steering fluid | Check level | If equipped with hydraulic system |
| Windscreen washer | Fill | Top up with washer fluid |
| Clutch fluid | Check level | If manual transmission |
Filters
| Item | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air filter | Inspect, replace if dirty | Affects performance and economy |
| Cabin/pollen filter | Inspect, replace if dirty | For clean air inside car |
| Fuel filter | Check (replace at major service) | Usually every 60-100,000km |
Brakes
| Item | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads | Measure & inspect | Report remaining thickness |
| Rear brake pads/shoes | Measure & inspect | Report remaining thickness |
| Brake rotors/discs | Inspect for wear/damage | Check for scoring, minimum thickness |
| Brake lines & hoses | Visual inspection | Check for leaks, damage, corrosion |
| Handbrake | Test operation | Check adjustment |
Steering & Suspension
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Shock absorbers/struts | Inspect for leaks and wear |
| Ball joints | Check for play |
| Tie rod ends | Check for play and wear |
| CV boots | Inspect for splits/damage |
| Bushings | Visual inspection |
| Steering play | Test for excessive movement |
Tyres & Wheels
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Tyre pressure | Check and adjust to spec |
| Tyre tread depth | Measure all tyres |
| Tyre condition | Check for damage, uneven wear |
| Wheel nuts | Check torque |
Electrical & Lights
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Battery | Test voltage and condition |
| Headlights (high/low) | Test operation |
| Brake lights | Test operation |
| Indicators | Test all indicators |
| Reverse lights | Test operation |
| Hazard lights | Test operation |
| Horn | Test operation |
Other Items
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Wiper blades | Inspect condition |
| Drive belts | Inspect for wear/cracks |
| Exhaust system | Visual inspection for leaks |
| Underbody | Visual inspection |
| Door hinges | Lubricate if needed |
| Road test | Check all systems feel correct |
Service vs WoF: What’s the Difference?
WoF (Warrant of Fitness)
- Safety inspection only
- Pass/fail assessment
- Checks minimum safety standards
- Required by law. Annual for most vehicles today; from 1 November 2026 many cars aged 4 to 14 years move to two-yearly (see the 2026 WoF changes)
- Doesn’t maintain your car
- Cost: typically $50-$75 (each inspecting organisation sets its own price)
Full Service
- Preventative maintenance
- Replaces wear items (oil, filters)
- Detailed inspection of all systems
- Keeps car reliable and efficient
- Protects long-term value
- Typical cost: $300-$600
Important
A car can pass a WoF but still need servicing. The WoF checks safety, not maintenance. A car with old oil, worn brake pads at 30%, and dirty filters might pass WoF but needs servicing to prevent problems.
When to Service Your Car
Follow manufacturer recommendations, but general guidelines are:
| Service Type | Interval | Or Kilometres |
|---|---|---|
| Basic / Oil Service | 6 months | Every 5,000-10,000km |
| Full Service | 12 months | Every 10,000-15,000km |
| Major Service | As per logbook | Every 60,000-100,000km |
Whichever comes first: even if you don’t drive much, annual servicing is important because fluids degrade over time.
Questions to Ask Your Mechanic
Before booking a service, ask:
- "What’s included in your full service?": Get specifics, not just "everything"
- "Will you provide a written report?": Good workshops document what they find
- "What oil type will you use?": Should match manufacturer spec
- "Will you call before doing extra work?": No surprise charges
- "How long will it take?": Full service should be 2+ hours for thoroughness
For workshop owners: make this your inspection template
Every table above is a list of things your technician already looks at. The difference between "we checked it" and a customer who understands what they paid for is whether the result is written down somewhere they can see it. The practical version:
- Build the checklist once as a digital inspection. In Hoist, each line becomes a yes/no, a measurement (pad thickness, tread depth, battery voltage) or a dropdown, grouped the way the tables are grouped here.
- Mark severity. Pass, warning or fail per item, with a photo on anything flagged, so the customer can tell "tyres at 4 mm, fine for now" from "front pads at 2 mm, do this now".
- Send the report with the invoice. The inspection produces a PDF. It answers "what did I get for $450" before the question is asked, and it’s the written report the questions above tell car owners to insist on.
- Keep the declined items. Anything flagged but not done stays on the vehicle’s history, which is the follow-up list for the next reminder.
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