Car price guide
How much does a car oil change cost?
Typical UK price, depending on car size
Figures last reviewed 7 September 2026.
An oil and filter change is exactly that: draining the old engine oil, fitting a new oil filter and refilling with the correct grade - without the wider checks of a service. It’s the most frequent bit of maintenance a car needs, and the right oil matters more than most people realise on modern engines.
Typical prices by car size
| Car size | Typical price | How well sourced |
|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 1.2L) | £70 - £110 | Estimate |
| Medium (1.3-2.0L) | £90 - £140 | Estimate |
| Large (over 2.0L) | £120 - £170 | Estimate |
Check a quote for a small, medium or large car.
Prices are for mainstream brands. Premium brands, and garages in London and the South East, usually charge more - the Quote Checker adjusts for your car's brand and region. Where these figures come from:
- Derived as a fraction of the full-service figure - no source prices this job in isolation. (published 2026-05-15, reviewed 2026-09-07) - Computed as roughly 45% of full-service.
Been quoted for an oil and filter change?
Enter the price you were quoted and get a straight answer - fair, high, or worth a second opinion - against these same benchmarks, adjusted for your car. Free, no account needed.
Check my quoteWhat’s usually included
- Draining the old engine oil
- A new oil filter
- Refilling with the correct grade and quantity of oil
- Often, resetting the oil-service reminder on the dashboard
What changes the price
- Oil type - fully synthetic and manufacturer-approved oils cost noticeably more than basic grades.
- Oil capacity - bigger engines take more oil.
- Brand, and main dealer or independent garage.
- Where you live.
How to make sure you're paying a fair price
- Check your handbook for the exact oil specification (for example a 5W-30 with a particular manufacturer approval) and ask the garage to confirm they use it.
- Compare with an interim service - it often costs only a little more and includes safety checks.
- Make sure the filter is being replaced, not just the oil topped up.
Red flags
- A generic oil used where your engine needs a specific approved one.
- A “top-up” charged as a change.
- An oil change used as a low-price hook for expensive extra work.
Questions people ask
How much does a car oil change cost?
Typically £70-£110 for a small car (up to 1.2L), £90-£140 for a medium car (1.3-2.0L), £120-£170 for a large car (over 2.0L), for mainstream brands. Premium brands, and garages in London and the South East, usually cost more.
How often should I change my car’s oil?
Follow your car’s own schedule - commonly once a year or somewhere between 6,000 and 12,000 miles, depending on the engine and oil. Some modern cars use longer, variable intervals shown on the dashboard.
Is an oil change the same as a service?
No. An oil change is one part of a service. A service adds safety checks, and a full service adds filter replacements and a much wider inspection.
More car price guides
RoadVerdict price guides are benchmarks from named, dated sources, not a quote for your car. Every figure shows how well sourced it is, and where no source prices a job directly we say so.