Service Cost Per Kilometre Calculator
What routine servicing costs per kilometre and per year — from the service interval, the cost of a service and the kilometres you drive — with the major-service cycle folded in, the next service due, and the monthly amount to set aside.
A car is serviced every so many kilometres or months, whichever comes first; at your annual distance that fixes how many services a year, and the cost of each fixes the bill.
How the service cost per kilometre calculator works
A car is serviced every so many kilometres or months, whichever comes first; at your annual distance that fixes how many services a year, and the cost of each fixes the bill. Major services every few visits cost more, so the average is a blend. Dividing by kilometres gives the per-kilometre figure that belongs in the running cost, and the odometer since the last service says when the next one is due.
Formula: services per year = max(km / interval km, 12 / interval months); average cost = blend of minor and major; per km = annual cost / km
Worked examples
| Inputs | Servicing cost per kilometre | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 15,000 km a year, 10,000 km intervals | 0.0435 | distance-triggered |
| A low-mileage car | 0.0725 | time-triggered |
| Long intervals | 0.029 | one a year |
FAQFrequently asked questions
How much does servicing cost per kilometre?
Typically two to five cents for a modern petrol car on manufacturer intervals, more for European makes and for cars past their warranty. It is a small part of running cost beside fuel and depreciation, but a predictable one.
Why two intervals?
Oil and fluids age with time as well as distance, so makers specify both, and the first reached triggers the service. Low-mileage cars are serviced by the calendar.
What is a major service?
A scheduled visit that adds items — spark plugs, filters, brake fluid, coolant, sometimes the timing belt — at multiples of the basic interval. It can cost two or three times a standard service.
Should I set money aside?
The monthly figure keeps a service from being a surprise. Add tyres and a repair allowance to it for a complete running-cost reserve.
Does skipping a service save money?
Rarely: it voids warranty, hurts resale and lets small problems grow. Longer intervals on a manufacturer schedule are fine; stretching them yourself is not.
Where these figures come from
- ISO 4000 / ETRTO — tyre designation and dimensions — the width / aspect ratio / rim marking this page decodes
- UK Vehicle Certification Agency — the official UK fuel and emissions data
Last checked: September 2026. Tyre dimensions follow the ISO metric marking standard; engine formulas are the standard textbook forms.