Knowledge base
Small service or full service — what's included and which one do you need?
“Small service” and “full service” sound like fixed packages, but every garage fills them in differently, which makes prices hard to compare. Below is exactly what we include in each, when each one makes sense and what to look out for.
Small service: oil and oil filter
With a small service we replace the engine oil and oil filter, reset the service indicator and check the basics: fluid levels, lights, tyres and a visual check of brakes and leaks. It is the in-between service — for low mileage or between two full services.
The oil is what matters most. We use oil with the approval your manufacturer prescribes for your engine (for example VW 504 00/507 00, MB 229.51 or BMW Longlife-04), in the right quantity for your engine.
Full service: every filter
A full service is the small service plus the filters that are due less often:
- Air filter — clean intake air for the engine.
- Cabin filter (pollen filter) — clean air inside the car and less smell from the air-con.
- Fuel filter — mainly on diesels; on many petrol engines it sits in the tank and is not a service part.
Spark plugs on petrol engines follow their own interval (often every 60,000 km or 4 years). Brake fluid is replaced every two years, separately from the service.
Which service does your car need?
The manufacturer sets the interval in kilometres and time — whichever comes first. As a rule of thumb:
- Under 15,000 km a year or mostly short trips: a service every year, alternating small and full.
- High mileage: follow the kilometre interval in the service book or on the service indicator.
- Cabin filter older than a year or a musty air-con smell: choose the full service.
Not sure? Send us the car details or a photo of the service book via WhatsApp and we will tell you which service is due.
Why garage prices differ so much
A “service from …” says little until it is clear which oil goes in and which filters are included. A cheap service with oil that does not meet the factory approval costs you more later. Always ask for the oil approval and the parts list.
That is why our service calculator shows the oil, the quantity and the filter part numbers for your car — before you book.
What does a small and a full service cost? Prices per engine
| Car and engine | Small service | Full service |
|---|---|---|
| Peugeot 107 1.0 68 pk (2005–2014) | € 91.45 | € 156.69 |
| Toyota Aygo 1.0 68 pk (2005–2014) | € 91.45 | € 156.69 |
| Citroën C1 1.0 68 pk (2005–2014) | € 91.45 | € 156.69 |
| Volkswagen Up / Load Up 1.0 60 pk (2011–2020) | € 98.12 | € 165.21 |
| Toyota Yaris IV / Yaris Cross 1.5 116 pk (2020–) | € 101.50 | € 167.41 |
| Volkswagen Polo VI (AW) 1.0 95 pk (2017–) | € 105.92 | € 175.71 |
| Kia Picanto III (JA) 1.0 67 pk (2017–) | € 91.12 | € 163.69 |
| Renault Clio IV 0.9 90 pk (2012–2019) | € 108.46 | € 169.22 |
| Toyota Yaris III (XP13) 1.5 100 pk (2012–) | € 99.25 | € 161.95 |
| Renault Twingo II 1.2 75 pk (2007–2014) | € 105.27 | € 206.85 |
| Fiat 500 / Nuova 500 (150) 1.2 69 pk (2007–) | € 89.86 | € 153.59 |
| Ford KA II 1.2 69 pk (2008–2016) | € 106.11 | € 169.84 |
| Renault Captur (J5, H5) 0.9 90 pk (2013–2019) | € 108.46 | € 169.22 |
| Suzuki Alto 68 pk (2009–) | € 86.57 | € 158.11 |
| Ford Kuga III 2.5 224 pk (2019–) | € 122.44 | € 182.14 |
Indicative prices including VAT, calculated with our service calculator for the most common engines in the Netherlands (RDW). Small service = oil, oil filter and labour; full service = oil and all filters with labour. Your exact price is shown by registration in the service calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Do I keep my factory warranty if I don't go to the dealer?
Yes. As long as servicing follows the manufacturer's schedule with parts of equivalent quality, the warranty stays valid. We record the service so you can prove it.
How long does a service take?
A small service usually takes about an hour, a full service one and a half to two hours, depending on how accessible the filters are.
Do you reset the service indicator?
Yes, with diagnostic equipment for your make. On many modern cars that is only possible with the right software.
Work out the price for your car in the service calculator (small or full service in one click) or read more about car servicing in Tilburg.
Sources
- Kroon-Oil – olieadvies per auto – oil change capacity and recommended specification per engine
- ACEA – European Oil Sequences – the European engine oil classes (A/B, C) printed on the bottle