It’s now possible to get a cheap oil change from a growing number of high street lube centres as well as some auto superstores with service bays attached.
Over the last few years there has been a surge in the number of high street auto stores offering basic maintenance services such as an oil and filter change, brake pad replacement and exhaust repairs.
But is a cheap oil change worth the expense? As always, it depends on a number of factors:
Age of your car
If you own a new or nearly new vehicle then you are probably better sticking to your manufacturers recommendations, which usually means taking it in for service at your main dealer. This will earn you the coveted dealers service stamp and should help to maintain the resale value of the car.
Annual mileage
If you own an older car and clock up a high annual mileage then having a regular cheap oil change is a very wise move as it helps to reduce the level of wear on the engine. This in turn should mean lower maintenance costs over the lifetime of the vehicle.
Your driving style
It is commonly believed that a life of short journeys will not allow the engine to get hot enough to burn away the excess water , leading to premature exhaust rotting as well as contributing to early engine wear. This can be combated to some degree with regular oil and filter changes which help to clear out the build up of contamination within the engine.
Generally it is considered a false economy to put off routine maintenance, especially when a cheap oil change can do so much toward keeping your vehicle roadworthy and safe.