This question comes up all the time, and honestly, it usually comes from frustration. Someone’s car just broke down, or a garage bill shocked them, and now they’re wondering if they’ve been servicing the car too little… or too much. If you’re looking for reliable car servicing in Dubai, many drivers turn to trusted workshops like Autobahn Auto to avoid these situations in the first place.
“How often should a car be serviced?” sounds simple, but it really isn’t.
Why There Isn’t One Perfect Service Interval
You’ll hear people say every 10,000 kilometers. Others swear by every 5,000. Some don’t bother at all until a warning light shows up. The truth sits somewhere in the middle, and it depends far more on how and where you drive than most people realize.
If we’re talking in general terms, yes many manufacturers suggest servicing a car every 10,000 km or every six months. That advice isn’t wrong. But it’s also not written with real-world driving in mind, especially not in hot places like the UAE.
How UAE Driving Conditions Affect Your Car
Cars here don’t live easy lives. Engines run hotter. Air conditioning is almost always on. Traffic means a lot of stopping, starting, and idling. Even if you don’t drive long distances, the car is still under stress. That’s why following the manual blindly doesn’t always work.
City Driving vs Highway Driving
If your daily routine involves city driving, short trips, traffic signals, or long traffic jams, your car probably needs attention more often than you think. Oil degrades faster in these conditions. Brakes wear out sooner. Filters clog quickly because of dust and heat. In those cases, servicing every 5,000 to 7,000 kilometers isn’t “overdoing it.” It’s being realistic.
On the other hand, if you mostly drive on highways, don’t sit in traffic much, and your driving style is smooth, you can usually stretch things closer to the 10,000 km mark. Even then, basic inspections matter. Skipping checks completely just because the car feels fine is where people get into trouble.
Why Time Matters as Much as Mileage
One thing many drivers overlook is time. Even if you barely drive, a car still ages. Engine oil doesn’t stay fresh forever. Car batteries weaken. Rubber parts dry out. That’s why most mechanics will still recommend servicing at least once every six months, even if the mileage is low. A parked car can develop problems just as easily as a heavily used one.
What a Proper Car Service Actually Includes
People also misunderstand what “servicing” actually means. It’s not just an oil change and a stamp on a service book. A proper service involves checking brake systems, cooling systems, fluids, battery health, belts, hoses, and filters. These checks are what prevent breakdowns. Miss them, and small issues quietly turn into expensive ones.
New Cars vs Older Cars
New cars are a different story, at least at first. If your car is under warranty, you should stick to the manufacturer’s schedule. Skipping or delaying service can cause warranty issues, and no one wants that fight later. New cars are more forgiving, but they’re not immune to neglect.
Once a car gets older, things change. After five years or around 100,000 kilometers, wear and tear becomes unavoidable. At that stage, regular car maintenance actually becomes more important, not less. Older cars don’t give much warning before something fails.
Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Sometimes the car gives hints before it reaches that point. Strange noises. Slight vibrations. Fuel efficiency dropping. Car AC not cooling properly. These signs are easy to dismiss, especially if the car still drives. But those are usually early warnings. Waiting until a warning light comes on is often waiting too long.
Is Skipping Car Service Ever a Good Idea?
A lot of people skip servicing to save money. It makes sense on the surface. Why spend if nothing seems wrong? The problem is that cars don’t fail politely. When they fail, they do it suddenly and expensively. Preventive car servicing isn’t about fixing problems it’s about preventing them.
So, is it ever okay to skip a service? In real life, people do. But is it a good idea? Almost never.
The Simple, Real-World Rule
To put it simply:
If you drive regularly, service your car every 6 months.
If you drive daily in traffic, don’t push past 7,000 km.
If your car is older, be extra cautious.
And if something feels off, don’t wait for the calendar.
There’s no perfect number that fits everyone. But listening to your car and being honest about how you drive will always get you closer to the right answer than any generic rule.
