How Much Does an Oil Change Cost in the UK?

It's important to change your car's engine oil regularly to keep it running smoothly. Many mechanics and manufacturers recommend changing your oil every 7,500-10,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first. It is always good to check your owner's manual for specific information. The oil helps to lubricate the engine and the filter helps to remove impurities from the oil.

An oil and filter change in a car is a routine maintenance procedure that involves draining the used oil from the engine, replacing the oil filter, and adding new fresh oil.

How much does it cost to do an oil and filter change?

The average cost of doing an oil change and oil filter change is £90, with prices ranging from £60 to £190. The engine oil filter is always replaced when changing the oil. The exact price of an oil change and filter replacement depends largely on your car and the parts your car's manufacturer recommends. Your location can also be a key factor in determining the price of an oil filter change. For example, average hourly labour rates and demand in cities like London is around £50-£100 while in towns with lower demand, the labour rates can range from £35-£50. The type of mechanic, for example, a mobile mechanic vs a dealership garage technician can also affect the total cost of an oil filter change.

Average cost of an oil filter change by location

Regularly replacing the oil or as recommended by the manufacturer will keep the engine running healthy. Over time, engine oil breaks down and becomes contaminated, which can cause engine problems. As a result, changing your oil and filter as recommended is a small price to pay compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged engine.

To avoid having car owners overpaying and get a fair price for an oil and filter change, we use real-time data of thousands of car makes and model data, local labour prices for an oil and filter change and engine oil and oil filter part prices to provide an instant fair quote. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an instant price for an oil and filter change.

Average cost of an oil filter change by manufacturer

Signs you need an oil and filter change

• Engine is noisier than usual
• Dark smoke from exhaust
• Decreased engine performance or poor fuel efficiency
• Excessively dark or dirty engine oil

The oil level is low.

Try to make it a habit every month to check the condition of the engine oil using the dipstick method. If the engine oil level is low but the colour is amber and not dark, then a top-up to the required level as indicated on the dipstick can be carried out using the correct engine oil.

The oil is dirty/dark-coloured.

New engine oil is yellowish/ amber in colour and when oil becomes old and dirty from the build-up of contaminants in the engine, then it turns into a darker, almost dark brown/ black colour. It is worth noting that diesel engines normally have darker engine oil than petrol engines. In this case, no matter the level, it is definitely time to do an oil change which would mean draining the old oil, replacing the filter and refilling with new oil.

The check engine light is on.

You may see the oil warning light on your dashboard if there is low oil pressure in your vehicle. The drop in oil pressure may indicate that you are low on oil, your oil is dirty, or that you have an oil leak. The symbol usually looks like an oil can with a drop of oil dripping from the nozzle.

The car is making strange noises.

Low oil will make it harder for the engine and its associated parts to run smoothly due to the lack of lubrication. The increased friction will cause the metal parts to grind against each other making very distinct sounds like ticking and tapping which can lead to engine damage if not addressed as soon as possible. Sometimes you will also find dark smoke being eliminated from the exhaust which would be a sign to replace the engine oil and filter.

Frequently asked questions about oil and filter change cost

Can I just top up the engine oil?

If you want to check the engine oil level using the simple dipstick method, refer to this simple guide to doing it yourself at home: [DIY: How to check your Engine Oil Level[(/blog/diy-how-to-check-your-engine-oil-level/).

If your engine is low on oil, you will need to top it up to the right level and this is fairly easy to do yourself. If you’re not confident, however, then we recommend getting this done by a qualified mechanic.

Ensure you refer to the owner’s manual to check the correct type of engine oil needed for your vehicle. If you notice that the oil is dark-coloured (almost black), then it is time to get a mechanic to drain out the old oil, replace the oil filter and add new oil to your vehicle.

An oil change process can be a bit messy but can be done if you’re confident about where the drain plug is located as well as how to replace the oil filter. You also need to ensure the old oil is disposed of safely as it can be hazardous to the environment. Most car owners leave this job to professional mechanics who have the means and experience to conduct this oil and filter change appropriately.

Should I use conventional or synthetic oil?

You should consult your car's owner's manual for specific recommendations. In general, however, most modern carmakers recommend synthetic oil.

Do I need to change the oil filter every time I change the oil?

Yes, it is essential that the oil filter is replaced every time I have the oil changed. It’s not very efficient for the engine if you replace the dirty oil with fresh oil but the filter is still old containing impurities and contaminants.

Remember, the oil filter helps to remove impurities from the oil as it circulates through the engine. Over time, the filter can become clogged with debris, which can reduce its effectiveness. Replacing the filter on a regular basis helps to ensure that the oil is clean and can flow freely, helping to protect the engine.

How long does an oil filter change take?

An oil & oil filter change usually takes under 1 hour, but can take more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Can I carry out an oil filter change myself?

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend an oil & oil filter change is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price upfront.

What else could be the problem if my oil filter isn’t broken or faulty?

If you’re experiencing the symptoms above, and the engine oil or oil filter is not the issue, then it could be any of the following:

• Valve cover gasket - this seals the valve cover to the engine. If it's damaged or worn, it can result in oil leaks
• Oil pump - if the pump is faulty it could result in pressure issues
• Fuel injector - if the exhaust is emitting dark-coloured smoke, it could be a leaking fuel injector

What happens during an oil filter change?

The mechanic will assess the situation on the car. They will then drain the oil and remove the filter, before replacing them with new parts. The mechanic will then advise if other repairs are required. To check the system, the mechanic will normally run the engine for a while, making adjustments as necessary.