In this guide 5 sections
Ask three garages for the price of a "full service" and you may get three very different numbers. That does not always mean one of them is cheating you. "Service" is not a fixed package, so the first step to a fair price is knowing what is actually being done.
What is in a basic service, and what is not
A basic service usually covers the routine wear items. A major service adds more checks and replacements, usually on a mileage schedule from the owner's manual.
Typical basic service
- Engine oil and oil filter
- Drained and replaced
- Air filter
- Cleaned or replaced
- Fluids
- Coolant, brake and washer fluid checked and topped up
- Brakes
- Pads, discs and lines inspected
- Tyres
- Pressure, tread and rotation checked
- Battery and lights
- Tested and checked
Things that are not in a basic service, and that are charged separately, include replacing brake pads, spark plugs, timing belts, suspension parts and the air-conditioning gas. If a quote lumps these in, ask why.
What pushes the price up or down
- Make and model. Parts for some cars are easy to find and cheap. Others are imported and slow to arrive, and the labour is more specialized.
- Engine and fuel type. A diesel, a hybrid or an electric car has different service needs than a small petrol hatchback.
- Parts quality. Genuine, aftermarket and used parts can differ a lot in price and in how long they last. A good garage tells you which one it is quoting.
- Time since the last service. A car that has gone far past its interval often needs more than routine work.
- Where the work is done. An authorised dealer, an independent workshop and a roadside garage all price differently, for different reasons.
Red flags
- A long list of "urgent" extra jobs found after the car is already on the lift, with no photos or old parts to show you.
- A price that is only given verbally, or only after the work has started.
- Refusing to let you see the old parts that were replaced.
- Pressure to approve everything on the spot.
A fair garage will phone you, explain what it found, give a price for the extra work and wait for a yes before touching anything.
Skip the trip
If you would rather not spend half a day at a workshop, a Najik provider can collect your car, service it, update you by phone before any extra work begins, and bring it back. Available in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, and you pay the provider directly after the work is done.
Car servicing on Najik
Frequently asked questions
How often should a car be serviced?
Follow the interval in the owner's manual, usually by distance or time, whichever comes first. If you mostly drive short trips in heavy traffic, service a little earlier.
Is a dealer service worth the extra cost?
It can be, especially while the car is under warranty or if it needs specialist tools. For older cars, a trusted independent workshop is often fine. Ask what parts will be used either way.
Should I buy the parts myself?
You can ask, but many workshops will not warranty the work when you supply the parts. Ask before you do.
Can the provider collect my car from home?
Yes, in most cases. Tell the coordinator where it is parked when you call.
Want a clear quote before any work starts?
Tell us the make, model and what you need. A coordinator will match you with a provider and agree the scope up front.
