
A valuable service
How often do you have your vehicle serviced?
In New Zealand, the Automobile Association (AA) recommends regular servicing for safety, running efficiency, and longevity of your vehicle.
Generally, the association says, vehicles should be serviced every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first. High mileage drivers should aim to have an interim level service every six months or 5000km.
Catching problems early is a major benefit to regular servicing. Often the earlier they are caught, the cheaper they are to fix. Having regular servicing will also give a vehicle a better resale value and longer life.
The AA says the cost of a service (including oil and filter change) can range anywhere from $160 – $300 depending on vehicle/fuel type and how in-depth of a service you require. European vehicles typically cost more to service, and parts are more expensive.
A replacement engine can cost anything from $2500 to $15,000, depending on its quality and availability. Cylinder head gaskets range from $1500 to $5000, radiators are around $500 to fix, and water pumps start at $500, increasing to around $2500 with the cost of an added cambelt and tensioners.