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Car maintenance checklist
Tick items off as you go. Your progress is saved in this browser, and you can print the list to keep in the glovebox.
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None of these checks needs tools, and together they take about ten minutes. They are the same things a mechanic looks at first, so you will spot a slow leak, a worn tyre or a blown bulb before it becomes a bigger job or a WOF fail. The same list works for diesel cars; just add a look at the fuel filter’s water drain if your handbook mentions one. After a long road trip, run through the monthly checks again, because a few thousand kilometres of open road can use up oil and wear tyres faster than town driving.
Car maintenance schedule
Regular car maintenance follows the schedule in your car’s handbook, which is based on time or kilometres, whichever comes first. The intervals below are typical for a modern petrol car and are a starting point, not a replacement for the handbook.
| Item | Typical interval | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil and oil filter | Every 10,000–15,000 km or 12 months | Old oil stops protecting the engine and is the most common cause of avoidable wear |
| Cabin (pollen) filter | Every 15,000–20,000 km or yearly | Keeps the air con working well and the cabin air clean |
| Engine air filter | Every 20,000–40,000 km | A blocked filter costs power and fuel |
| Brake fluid | Every 2 years | Brake fluid absorbs water over time, which reduces braking performance |
| Coolant | Every 2–5 years, depending on type | Protects against overheating and internal corrosion |
| Spark plugs | Every 40,000–100,000 km, depending on type | Worn plugs cause misfires and poor fuel economy |
| Timing belt (cambelt), if fitted | As specified, often 90,000–150,000 km or 5–10 years | A snapped belt can wreck the engine; many engines use a chain instead |
| Automatic transmission fluid | As specified, if at all | Some gearboxes are “filled for life”, others need regular changes |
Cars that mostly do short trips, tow, or drive on gravel roads are working harder than average. Handbooks often have a separate “severe conditions” schedule with shorter intervals, and it is worth following.
Servicing, WOF and maintenance: what each covers
Most workshops offer car maintenance services at two levels. A basic service covers an oil and filter change, a top-up of fluids and a safety check of tyres, brakes, lights and belts. A full or logbook service follows the maker’s schedule for that interval and can include filters, spark plugs, brake fluid and other items that only fall due every few years.
How often you need a WOF
WOF rules for cars change on 1 November 2026. Until then, a new car’s first WOF lasts three years, cars first registered from 2000 onwards need one every 12 months, and older cars every six months. From 1 November 2026:
| Car | WOF needed |
|---|---|
| New car | First WOF lasts four years |
| First registered on or after 1 November 2019 | Every two years |
| First registered 1 November 2013 to 31 October 2019 | Every year until 1 November 2027, then every two years |
| 14 to 26 years old | Every year |
| First registered before 1 January 2000 | Every year (was every six months) |
The inspector checks tyres, brakes, structure and structural rust, lights, glass, wipers and washers, doors, seatbelts, airbags, steering, suspension, the speedometer, and exhaust and fuel leaks. From 1 November 2026 inspections also check that no warning light is showing for automatic emergency braking or lane keep assist, where the car has them. A WOF doesn’t look at the engine, gearbox or fluid levels.
A WOF usually costs $50–$90. If the car fails, you have 28 days to fix the problems and get a free recheck at the same inspection organisation.
With fewer inspections for many newer cars, regular checks of your own matter more. The checklist above covers the items that most often fail a WOF.
When you book car maintenance, have your rego number and the current odometer reading handy, and mention any noises, leaks or warning lights. That lets the workshop give you a more accurate price and order parts in advance.
European cars
Many European models use variable service intervals shown on the dashboard, need specific oil grades and require diagnostic software to reset the service reminder. A workshop that regularly services your make will have the right oil and equipment.
What car maintenance costs
| Item | Typical cost (NZ$) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic service | $160–$280 | Oil and filter, fluid top-ups, safety check |
| Full or logbook service | $320–$550 | More at European dealers |
| WOF inspection | $50–$90 | Free recheck within 28 days |
| Brake fluid change | $90–$200 | Every two years on most cars |
| Cabin filter, fitted | $60–$120 | Often a simple DIY job |
| Wheel alignment | $80–$250 | Front only, or all four wheels |
| Car battery, fitted | $200–$450 | Stop-start batteries cost more |
| Yearly budget, small petrol car | $800–$1,200 | Rough guide |
| Yearly budget, all-wheel-drive SUV | $1,500–$2,000 | Rough guide |
Cheap car maintenance usually means keeping up with the small things. A service that is done on time is cheaper than the repair it prevents, and checking tyre pressures yourself makes tyres last longer and saves fuel. Paying a little more for a workshop that explains what it found is often better value than the lowest price.
Maintenance plans
Some dealers and workshops sell prepaid car service and maintenance plans that fix the cost of scheduled servicing for a few years. Read what is included: most cover scheduled servicing only, not tyres, brakes, wiper blades or repairs, and some only apply at one dealer.
Hybrid, electric and diesel cars
Hybrid car maintenance
Hybrids need the same servicing as a petrol car, plus care for the hybrid system. Many have a cooling fan and air intake for the hybrid battery, often under or beside the rear seat, which should be kept clear of dust and pet hair. Regenerative braking means brake pads tend to last longer, but the brakes still need regular checks because rarely used discs can rust.
Electric car maintenance
Electric cars have no engine oil, spark plugs, timing belt or exhaust, so routine maintenance is simpler. Tyres, brakes, brake fluid, suspension, the cabin filter and the small 12-volt battery all still need attention, and some models have a coolant system for the main battery. EVs are heavy and quick off the mark, so tyres can wear faster than on a similar petrol car.
Diesel car maintenance
Modern diesels have a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that cleans itself on longer drives at steady speed. A diesel that only does short trips can block its DPF, which is expensive to fix, so give it a regular run on the open road. Diesels also have fuel filters that need changing on schedule, and many have a water trap.
Simple maintenance you can do yourself
Most owners can handle basic car maintenance themselves, and it saves money between services. These car maintenance tips cover the easiest DIY jobs:
- checking and setting tyre pressures, including the spare
- topping up washer fluid and replacing wiper blades
- replacing the cabin filter, which on many cars sits behind the glovebox
- replacing simple bulbs, if your handbook shows how
- keeping battery terminals clean, and testing an older battery before winter
Leave brakes, timing belts, airbags and anything involving the high-voltage system on a hybrid or EV to a qualified technician. If a job needs the car raised off the ground, use proper stands, never just a jack.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car maintenance cost per year?
As a rough guide, budget around $800–$1,200 a year to keep a small petrol car serviced and roadworthy, and $1,500–$2,000 for a larger all-wheel-drive SUV, not counting fuel, rego and insurance. That covers servicing, WOFs and typical wear items such as wipers and brake pads spread over time. A year with new tyres, a battery or a timing belt will cost more.
Where can I get car maintenance done?
Any reputable independent garage can service most cars, and franchise dealers service the makes they sell. Mobile mechanics can do a basic service at your home or work. WOF inspections are carried out at authorised testing stations and at many garages, which is handy if you want the service and the WOF done in one visit.
Is a car maintenance plan worth it?
A prepaid service or maintenance plan locks in the price of scheduled servicing, usually for a set number of years or kilometres. It can be good value if you keep the car for the whole term and would have used the same workshop anyway. Check exactly what is covered: most plans include scheduled servicing but not tyres, brakes, wiper blades or repairs.
Do hybrid cars cost less to maintain?
Often a little. Regenerative braking means pads and discs tend to last longer, and the petrol engine does less work. Hybrids still need regular servicing, plus checks on the hybrid system’s cooling, so budget for a normal service schedule rather than none.
What maintenance does an electric car need?
Less than a petrol car, but not none. There are no oil changes, spark plugs or exhaust, but tyres, brakes, brake fluid, cabin filter, wipers, suspension and the small 12-volt battery all still need checking, and some models have a coolant system for the main battery. Tyres can wear faster on EVs because of the extra weight.
Can I print this car maintenance checklist?
Yes. Use the Print button above the checklist. The printed page leaves out the menus and buttons so it fits neatly on paper, and you can keep a copy in the glovebox.
Updated 16 October 2026