Car maintenance plans can be worth it, but only if they cost less than you’d actually pay for the same services and you’re happy to keep going to the same workshop. If either one doesn’t line up, paying as you go usually comes out ahead.
But timing often becomes an issue. Dealers tend to offer the plan while you’re signing for a new car, which isn’t the best moment to compare the costs carefully and decide if it’s worth it.
You don’t have to decide on the spot. Many brands let you buy a plan later, often up until the first scheduled service.
What counts as a car maintenance plan?
People often use “maintenance plan” as a general term, but it can mean several different things.
Prepaid service plans, capped price servicing, extended warranties and roadside plans all work differently, and only the first two relate to servicing.
Prepaid service plans
Prepaid service plans let you pay for a set number of scheduled services in advance. You can either pay the full amount when you buy the plan or add the cost to your car loan.
Most plans cover around three to five services, but exactly what’s included depends on the car brand and the terms of the plan.
- Audi: Its 5 Year Service Plan covers the first five scheduled services for one upfront payment. You can buy it up to 12 months after the car’s warranty start date, as long as the first service hasn’t happened yet. The plan transfers to a new owner if you sell, but unused services aren’t refunded.
- Hyundai: The Pre-Paid Service Plan covers up to the first five scheduled services for petrol and hybrid models (and EVs from model year 2022 or earlier), but only the first two for EVs from model year 2023. You must buy it with the car or before its first scheduled service. It can only be used at participating Hyundai dealers, and Hyundai trucks are excluded.
- Subaru: 3- or 5-Year Service Plans (not available for the Solterra) can be bought with the car or before the first scheduled service. They include three years of roadside assistance, a free service loan car if you book at least 14 days ahead (subject to availability), genuine Subaru parts, and full transferability to future owners. Rental, privately imported and grey import vehicles don’t get the roadside assistance.
- Volkswagen: Care Plans cover the first three, four or five scheduled services across a select range of models.
- Kia: Prepaid plans are offered for its EVs and the Tasman ute, while its hybrid and plug-in hybrid models use capped price servicing instead. To qualify, the car must be under 11 months old, below 15,000 km and not yet have had a scheduled service (apart from the free 3-month/3,000 km check). Prepaid services can only be used at authorised Kia dealers, and the plan doesn’t cover extra repairs, wear-and-tear items, or top-ups between services.
Capped price servicing
With capped price servicing, you don’t pay anything upfront. The manufacturer sets a maximum price for each scheduled service over a set period, and dealers can charge less but not more for the listed work.
CHOICE notes the cost is often built into the car’s price, some programs skip items in the manufacturer’s schedule, and terms can change.
The cap also varies between services, since some visits need more parts and labour. You are generally expected to stay with the dealer network at strict intervals.
On the brand side, Kia says its Capped Price Servicing Program covers eligible standard scheduled services, but not extra wear-and-tear repairs, top-ups between services or additional work the dealer recommends.
Extended warranties and roadside plans
An extended warranty pays for certain repairs after the factory warranty ends. A roadside plan helps when the car won’t go. So neither of them is maintenance.
CHOICE notes some extended warranties require dealer servicing. That’s allowed for extended warranties, unlike the standard new car warranty.
In December 2020, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) allowed Mitsubishi’s 10-year warranty, which requires dealer-only servicing, to stand. Commissioner Stephen Ridgeway said many buyers would value the longer warranty, but acknowledged the dealer requirement could limit independent mechanics’ ability to compete.
Also remember that under the Australian Consumer Law, cars bought from a dealer come with automatic guarantees that they’re of acceptable quality.
That includes being free from defects and lasting a reasonable time, depending on the price, age and use. Those rights apply with or without an extended warranty. Most don’t apply to private sales, though.
What a car maintenance plan covers (and what it doesn’t)
A car maintenance plan usually covers the scheduled services in your logbook, but not repairs. Before signing up, check what’s included and compare it with your car’s service schedule.
What is usually included
Most plans cover the scheduled logbook services your manufacturer recommends over a set period.
What’s included can vary depending on whether your car is due for a minor or major service. For a fuller rundown, see what a car service includes.
Minor service inclusions
- Oil and filter: fresh engine oil and a new oil filter.
- Safety checks: brakes, steering, suspension and exhaust inspected.
- Fluid levels: brake, steering, coolant and washer fluids topped up.
- Tyres: pressure, tread and condition checked.
- Road test: a short diagnostic drive.
Major service inclusions
- All minor service items, plus:
- Spark plugs: replaced when the schedule says so.
- Filters: air, cabin and fuel filters replaced.
- Fluid changes: brake, transmission or coolant flushes at the intervals your logbook sets (brake fluid is often every two to three years).
Electric cars don’t need engine oil or spark plugs, so their services are mostly inspections, filters and fluid checks.
The table below compares some popular manufacturer prepaid plans in Australia. Prices were checked in October 2026 and are a guide only, so check the current plan page for your model.
| Example plan | Indicative pricing | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Prepaid Service Plan | Varies by model. Passenger EVs run from $688 (EV4, 3 services) to $3,667 (EV5, 7 services). Tasman 4x2 plans run from $1,371 for 3 services to $3,813 for 7 | Scheduled service labour, genuine parts, fluids and sundries at authorised Kia dealers, with no refund for unused services |
| Hyundai Pre-Paid Service Plan | Depends on model and number of services (up to five for petrol, hybrid and selected EVs) | Genuine parts with a 12-month parts warranty, labour by certified technicians, Premium Roadside Support for the length of the plan |
| Ford Prepaid Service Plan | Ranger, Everest and Raptor (MY25.25 onwards): $1,516 for five services. Earlier four-service plans started from about $1,200. Dealers may charge less | The first five scheduled services over five years or 75,000 km (whichever comes first), including a year-three brake fluid change |
| Volkswagen Care Plans | 3 to 5-year plans for passenger cars, 6 to 10-year plans for EVs. Price depends on the model | Scheduled services (labour, parts and fluids), genuine parts with a two-year warranty, safety and diagnostic checks, Service Initiated Roadside Assistance |
| Nissan Pre-Paid Maintenance | One upfront payment, or financed with the car | Scheduled services over 2, 3, 4 or 5 years using Nissan Genuine Parts and factory-trained technicians |
What can cost extra
Plans rarely cover everything, so some items can cost extra. Common extras include:
- Wear-and-tear parts: brake pads and discs, clutch parts, wipers, globes, fuses and batteries. Pads and discs for one axle commonly run from about $300 to $600 or more.
- Tyres and wheels: new tyres, alignments and balancing. A set of four commonly costs from about $400 to over $2,000, depending on the size and brand.
- Off-schedule fluids and filters: extra cabin filters, flushes or additives.
- Severe conditions: stop-start city driving, dusty tracks or delivery work can mean shorter intervals or extra tasks the plan won’t cover.
- Early-check fixes: some brands include a free first check (Hyundai at 1,500 km, Kia at 3,000 km), but the plan doesn’t pay for any repairs it finds.
- Accident damage: panel, paint and other collision repairs.
Ask for inclusions and exclusions in writing before paying.
A plan is not repair cover
A maintenance plan pays for predictable upkeep like oil, filters, and inspections.
Some broader plans also add wipers or pads. A warranty covers unexpected failures from faulty parts or workmanship, not servicing or wear. Regular servicing may help prevent breakdowns, but it’s no guarantee.
When a car maintenance plan can be worth it
A plan is only worth it if the discount is real. Add up what the included services would cost if you paid for them one at a time, then compare that total with the plan price.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Feature | Prepaid or contract plan | Pay as you go |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | A fixed upfront or monthly amount | Per visit, at the going market rate |
| Routine services (oil, filters, spark plugs) | Included, within the agreed terms and kilometres | Paid each time the work is done |
| Wear-and-tear parts (pads, wipers, batteries) | Sometimes included, depending on the plan level | Paid in full at retail price |
| Unexpected breakdowns | Only if bundled with an extended warranty or comprehensive plan | Out of your pocket, unless covered by the factory warranty |
| Budget certainty | High, as costs are locked in | Lower, with spikes when big jobs come up |
| Total cost over time | Can be higher, since the provider builds in its margin | Often lower for a reliable car, but less predictable |
| Choice of workshop | Usually limited to authorised dealers | Any qualified mechanic you like |
You will keep the car and use the same workshop
Value depends on using every service, so long ownership and a handy dealer help. One workshop also brings:
- Consistent history: faster, more accurate diagnosis over time.
- Trust: less risk of overcharging or unnecessary parts.
- Smoother warranty claims: work done to manufacturer guidelines.
- Resale value: a documented record reassures buyers.
But if a workshop overcharges, communicates poorly, or can’t fix recurring problems, moving on is the right call.
You like fixed, predictable costs
Prepaying helps if you’d rather not find a few hundred dollars at short notice. Youi’s 2026 Australian Car Care and Costs Report found that 47% of drivers put off at least one maintenance task (not counting cleaning), up from 35% in 2024, with cost the main reason.
Just remember that spreading the cost isn’t the same as saving money, so compare the totals first.
When a car maintenance plan probably isn’t worth it
In some cases, you may be better off paying for services as they come.
You would rather use an independent mechanic
CHOICE, citing the ACCC, says any qualified mechanic can service your car and stamp the logbook without voiding the warranty, provided the work meets manufacturer specifications and uses quality parts.
CHOICE notes that dealerships generally charge more for servicing than independent mechanics. If a maintenance plan requires you to use a particular dealer, you may have fewer opportunities to compare prices and find a better deal.
Back in 2017, then ACCC chair Rod Sims said a lack of competition in servicing and repairs leaves new car buyers with fewer options to get a good deal. Since July 2022, car makers have also had to share service and repair information with independent repairers at no more than fair market value.
You drive very little or might sell soon
Unused services are wasted money. Plans can expire before low-kilometre drivers use them all, and refunds are uncommon.
Subaru’s plans, for example, run for 3 or 5 years, and Audi’s ends at a set date or odometer reading, whichever comes first. If the plan expires before you have used every visit, you generally lose what is left.
Most logbook schedules are also set by time or kilometres, whichever comes first, so a low-kilometre car usually still needs a service each year. The bigger risk for light drivers is paying upfront for heavier major-service work, such as fluid changes and spark plugs, that their car may not reach within the plan term.
Selling early also raises different questions:
- Transfer: Audi, Hyundai, Kia and Subaru all let the plan pass to the next owner. That can help your car sell, but you rarely get the leftover value back unless the buyer pays more for it.
- Refunds: don’t count on one. Audi, Hyundai and Kia all say unused services can’t be refunded. If the plan was financed, check what happens to the loan balance if you sell.
- Moving: most plans can only be used at that brand’s participating dealers, which can be a problem if you move interstate or to a regional town without one nearby.
If any of these could apply to you in the next few years, read the transfer, refund and expiry rules before you pay.
The plan is rolled into your car loan
Dealers often offer to add the plan to your car finance so there is nothing extra to pay on the day. It feels painless, but you then pay interest on the plan for the whole loan term, and that interest can quietly wipe out the discount.
Take a simple hypothetical. A $1,650 plan added to a five-year car loan at 7% p.a. costs about $1,960 by the time the loan is repaid, roughly $310 in interest.
At 9% p.a., the total climbs to about $2,055. If the plan was only saving you $250 compared with paying service by service, financing it leaves you worse off.
Prices or terms can change
“Capped” doesn’t always mean fixed. In some plans, the advertised price is only a starting point, and the provider may reserve the right to change it.
Kia’s capped price servicing program is a good example of how this can work in practice. From 2012, Kia promoted the program as a way to show owners the most they would pay for scheduled maintenance.
However, a clause in the terms let Kia change those prices, and it did so four times between 2012 and 2015.
As a result, owners paid more than the advertised caps. In February 2015, the ACCC said the advertising was likely to mislead, and Kia agreed to cap its prices properly and refund affected owners. Check whether prices can be revised before signing up.
How to work out if a car maintenance plan is worth it
You just need a few quotes:
- List the services due in the plan term. Check how often you should service your car.
- Get the full plan price, including any interest if financed.
- Price the same services elsewhere, at the dealer and an independent shop. See what a car service costs in Australia. Canstar’s latest figures put the average full service at about $345 in Victoria, $365 in NSW and $340 in Queensland and WA.
- Note the exclusions, which you pay for either way.
- Compare, and factor in how long you will keep the car.
Worked example (hypothetical)
A five-service prepaid plan is offered at $1,650:
| Option | Cost of five scheduled services | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid plan | $1,650 | Dealer only, and excludes tyres, brake pads and a cabin filter |
| Pay as you go at the dealer | $1,900 | Based on the dealer’s published capped prices |
| Pay as you go at an independent shop | $1,700 | Roughly in line with a $340 average service |
| Prepaid plan, financed over 5 years | About $1,960 (at 7% p.a.) | Interest added through the car loan |
Paying cash saves about $250 against the dealer but only $50 against the independent. Finance it and you end up paying more than either pay-as-you-go option. Sell after three services with no refund, and you’ve paid for two you never used.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What exactly is included and excluded? Get it in writing, or ask for an itemised quote.
- Can the prices change during the plan, and under what conditions?
- Which workshops can I use if I move?
- What happens to unused services?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
- Does it transfer if I sell?
- Are there age or usage limits?
- What is the total cost with interest?
- Can I buy it later instead of today?
Alternatives to buying a car maintenance plan
You don’t need a maintenance plan to stay on top of your car’s servicing. Here are three ways to do it without one.
Use a trusted independent mechanic
Ask for itemised invoices, insist on quality parts and get your logbook stamped. NSW and WA require repairers to be licensed. In other states, look for membership of a group like the VACC in Victoria or your state’s motor trades association.
Set up your own service fund
Set aside a regular amount each month in an interest-earning account and pay for services as they come. If a plan offers no real discount, the interest works for you. Keep a buffer too for repairs no plan covers.
Keep your service history and reminders in one place
A stamped logbook and saved receipts prove the car’s been looked after, and skipped services can put your warranty at risk.
Autoport, a free car care app, lets you add your car by rego, tracks service, rego and insurance dates, sends reminders and stores invoices and receipts. Its Service Price Guide also gives you a rough idea of what services should cost.
Car maintenance plan FAQs
Does using an independent mechanic void my new car warranty?
No, provided servicing follows the manufacturer’s specifications and uses quality parts (CHOICE, citing the ACCC). Some extended warranties can require dealer servicing, though.
Do maintenance plans increase resale value?
Not much on their own, even if transferable. The bigger win is to keep a proper service history.
Can I cancel a prepaid service plan?
Usually not. Audi, Hyundai and Kia don’t refund unused services, although the plan can pass to the next owner. Check the terms before buying.
Are car maintenance plans worth it for a used car?
The same maths applies, but most plans are only sold for new or nearly new cars. Kia’s, for example, need the car to be under 11 months old and below 15,000 km, and Volkswagen’s allow used cars up to 15 months old and 22,500 km. Confirm eligibility on the brand’s current page.
Is a service plan the same as an extended warranty?
No. A service plan covers scheduled maintenance. An extended warranty covers certain repairs after the factory warranty, according to CHOICE.
Are capped price servicing plans worth it?
Only once you check what is excluded and whether prices can change, see the sections above.
The bottom line
Car maintenance plans are neither a scam nor a sure bargain. A plan is worth it when its price beats what you would actually pay and you will use every service at the workshop it ties you to. Otherwise, paying as you go usually wins. And you don’t have to decide under pressure at the dealership: take the details home and run the numbers.
Whether you buy a plan or pay as you go, the car that sells best is the one with a service history you can actually prove. Autoport is a free app that will keep your records in one place, so they’re there when you need them.
This article is general information only and is not financial advice. Consider your own circumstances and check current plan terms before buying.
