What’s actually included in a standard car service in Auckland?
A “standard service” can mean an oil change and not much else, or a 10-point inspection with fluids and brake work — depending on the workshop. Here’s exactly what your money buys at Precision Automotive in New Lynn, and the questions to ask any mechanic before you hand over the keys.
The short answer
At Precision Automotive a Standard Service is $154.99 and covers ten separate items — not just an oil change. It’s a fixed-price preventative service designed for cars driven in normal Auckland conditions, every 10,000km or 12 months.
The 10 things in our Standard Service
- Engine oil flush — runs through the engine before the oil change to clear sludge and contaminants from the galleries.
- Engine oil and oil filter change — fresh manufacturer-spec oil and a new filter. Used oil and filter recycled properly.
- Air filter replacement — new filter (or cleaned where the unit supports it). Auckland air quality and short trips make this important.
- Fluids checked and topped up — coolant, power steering, washer fluid, transmission (where dipstick-accessible). Any low fluid is investigated, not just topped.
- Tyre pressures checked — set to the manufacturer’s placard pressures, including the spare.
- Spark plugs inspected — colour, gap and electrode wear checked. Replacement is quoted separately if needed (usually every 60,000–100,000km depending on make).
- Brakes checked, cleaned and adjusted — pad and disc wear measured, callipers cleaned, drum brakes adjusted. Replacements quoted separately.
- Fuel system cleanser added — runs through the injectors and intake to maintain combustion efficiency.
- Brake fluid flush — brake fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere; flushing every 24 months keeps boiling point high under heavy braking.
- Tyre rotation if required — front-to-rear rotation to even out wear, where the wear pattern shows benefit.
Plus a complete safety inspection — same checklist a Warrant of Fitness uses, so we catch anything that’s drifting toward a WoF fail before it gets there.
What’s not included (and what it costs separately)
A Standard Service is preventative — it doesn’t cover parts that are wear-and-tear consumables nearing end of life. The most common add-ons:
- Spark plug replacement — typically $80–$180 depending on number of plugs and access.
- Brake pad replacement — front or rear, around $220–$380 per axle including pads and labour, parts brand-dependent.
- Cabin air filter — $45–$90 depending on access; often skipped by dealers but matters for AC odour and allergy season.
- Battery test & replacement — free test, replacement quoted on the day.
- Wiper blades — quoted on the spot.
We’ll always tell you what’s needed, quote it before we touch anything, and let you decide.
Questions to ask any mechanic before booking: Is brake fluid flush included? Are filters genuine or aftermarket? Will you show me the old oil and the worn parts? At Precision Automotive the answers are yes, your choice, and absolutely.
Premium and Ultra tiers — what changes?
Our three service tiers let you scale up coverage if your car needs more attention:
- Premium ($299.99) includes everything in Standard plus extended inspection coverage. Right call for cars over 80,000km, ex-rental vehicles, or anything you’re unsure of the history on.
- Ultra ($399.99) is our top-tier package — typically the right service before a long road trip, before selling, or when a car comes to us for the first time and needs a thorough baseline.
If you’re not sure which tier fits, just give us the year/make/model and rough kilometres and we’ll recommend.
How to book
Call (09) 827 0322 or use the online form. Mon to Fri, 8 to 5. Same-day for WoFs, advance booking for services so we can give your car the right slot on the hoist.
