Hybrid cars combine a petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor and battery. This means they still need many of the same routine maintenance checks as a conventional car, but there are also some hybrid-specific components that need attention.
Most hybrid cars should be serviced at least once a year or at the mileage recommended by the manufacturer, whichever comes first. The exact interval depends on the make, model, engine and how the vehicle is used, so your owner’s handbook should always be the first place to check.
A hybrid service can include everything from an engine oil and filter change to checks on the brakes, tyres, 12-volt battery, hybrid battery and electrical systems. The exact checks will vary between vehicles.
Regular servicing is important even if your hybrid spends a lot of time running on electric power. The combustion engine still needs maintenance, while the hybrid system needs to be checked to make sure everything is working safely and efficiently.
In this guide, we’ll explain how often a hybrid car needs servicing, what is checked during a hybrid service, how hybrid servicing differs from a normal car, and what to look for when choosing a garage.
Key Takeaways
- Most hybrid cars need servicing at least once a year or at the manufacturer’s recommended mileage interval.
- The exact schedule varies between makes and models.
- Hybrids still need normal engine maintenance because they have a combustion engine.
- Hybrid-specific checks can include the battery, electrical systems, regenerative braking and relevant diagnostics.
- Plug-in hybrids still need engine servicing even when most journeys are completed using electric power.
- Regenerative braking can reduce brake wear, but brake discs and other components still need regular inspection.
- Always follow your vehicle manufacturer’s servicing schedule.
- Choose a garage with the appropriate hybrid knowledge, training and equipment.
How Often Should You Service a Hybrid Car?
For most hybrid cars, servicing is normally required once a year or at a set mileage, whichever comes first.
However, there isn’t one servicing interval that applies to every hybrid. Manufacturers set their own schedules, and the recommended mileage can vary considerably between makes and models.
For example, some manufacturers may specify a service every 10,000 miles, while others may use a different mileage or time interval.
That’s why you should always check:
- Your vehicle handbook
- The manufacturer’s servicing schedule
- Your digital service record, if your car uses one
- The date and mileage of your previous service
What if you don’t drive many miles?
Low mileage doesn’t necessarily mean you can skip servicing.
Engine oil, brake fluid, tyres, batteries and other components can still deteriorate with age. A plug-in hybrid that spends much of its time driving on electric power still has a combustion engine that needs regular maintenance.
If your manufacturer recommends an annual service, don’t wait until you’ve reached the mileage limit.
Do Hybrid Cars Need Servicing More Often Than Petrol Cars?
Usually, no. A hybrid car doesn’t automatically need to be serviced more frequently simply because it has an electric motor and battery.
The combustion engine still follows the manufacturer’s servicing schedule, while additional checks may be required for the hybrid system.
This means a hybrid service can involve two areas:
Conventional car maintenance
- Engine oil and filter
- Air filter
- Spark plugs where applicable
- Brakes
- Brake fluid
- Tyres
- Suspension
- Steering
- Coolant and other fluids
Hybrid-specific checks
- Hybrid battery system
- High-voltage components where applicable
- 12-volt battery
- Charging system on plug-in hybrids
- Regenerative braking system
- Hybrid-related diagnostic checks
- Cooling systems where applicable
The exact list depends on your vehicle.
What Is Checked During a Hybrid Car Service?
A proper hybrid service should cover the normal maintenance items your car needs, along with any additional checks specified by the manufacturer for its hybrid system.
Here are some of the main areas a technician may inspect.
1. Engine Oil and Filter
Most hybrids still have a petrol or diesel engine, so engine oil remains important.
The oil lubricates the engine and helps protect its internal components. Over time, oil becomes contaminated and loses some of its effectiveness.
The oil and filter should therefore be changed according to the manufacturer’s service schedule.
Even if your hybrid spends a lot of time running on electric power, don’t assume that the engine oil can be left unchanged.
2. Brakes
Hybrid cars use regenerative braking, which allows the electric motor to help slow the vehicle and recover energy.
This can reduce how often the conventional friction brakes are used. As a result, brake pads may sometimes last longer than they would on a similar conventional car.
However, that doesn’t mean the brakes can be ignored.
Brake pads, discs, calipers and brake fluid still need to be inspected.
Because the friction brakes may be used less often, the brake discs can also develop surface corrosion. A technician should therefore check the condition of the complete braking system rather than looking only at pad thickness.
3. Hybrid Battery
The hybrid battery is one of the most important parts of the vehicle’s electric drivetrain.
Depending on the make and model, servicing may include diagnostic checks of the battery system and related components.
These checks can help identify:
- Stored fault codes
- Battery system problems
- Warning messages
- Changes in system performance
- Problems with related electrical components
Not every hybrid uses the same battery technology or requires the same battery checks, so the manufacturer’s requirements should be followed.
4. The 12-Volt Battery
A hybrid vehicle normally has a conventional 12-volt auxiliary battery as well as its main hybrid battery.
The 12-volt battery powers many of the vehicle’s normal electrical systems and helps the car’s electrical systems start up.
Like any car battery, it can lose capacity as it gets older.
Testing the 12-volt battery during routine servicing can help identify a weak battery before it leaves you with a starting or electrical problem.
5. Hybrid Electrical System
Hybrid vehicles contain electrical components that aren’t found in a conventional petrol or diesel car.
Depending on the vehicle, a technician may inspect relevant:
- High-voltage cables and connectors
- Electrical components
- Charging equipment
- Hybrid system components
- Warning systems
- Cooling systems
High-voltage components should only be handled by technicians with the appropriate training and safety equipment.
6. Tyres, Suspension and Steering
Hybrid-specific technology doesn’t remove the need for ordinary vehicle maintenance.
Your service should still include checks of important safety components such as:
- Tyre condition and tread
- Tyre pressures
- Suspension components
- Steering components
- Wheel condition
- Lights and wipers
These checks are important regardless of whether your car is petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric.
What Is Different About Servicing a Hybrid Car?
The biggest difference is that a hybrid combines two types of drivetrain technology.
A conventional petrol car mainly requires checks around its combustion engine, transmission, brakes and other mechanical systems.
A hybrid has those requirements plus an electric drivetrain.
That means technicians may need to consider the condition and operation of:
Hybrid battery
The main battery stores and supplies electrical energy for the hybrid system.
Regenerative braking
The electric motor can help slow the car and recover energy, reducing reliance on conventional friction brakes.
Electrical systems
Hybrid vehicles have additional electrical components and, depending on the system, high-voltage components.
Hybrid cooling
Some vehicles use dedicated cooling systems for components such as the battery or other hybrid electronics.
Diagnostics
Modern hybrids rely heavily on electronic control systems, so diagnostic equipment can be important when checking for stored faults or warning messages.
The exact requirements depend on the vehicle, which is why a hybrid should be serviced according to its own manufacturer’s schedule rather than a generic checklist.
Does the Type of Hybrid Affect Servicing?
Yes, but the basic principle remains the same.
There are three common types of hybrid vehicle.
| Hybrid type | What it means for servicing |
|---|---|
| Mild hybrid | Mostly similar to a conventional petrol or diesel service, with additional electrical checks |
| Full hybrid | Combustion engine servicing plus checks of the hybrid battery and electrical systems |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | Combustion engine servicing plus a larger battery and charging-related systems |
Let’s look at each one briefly.
Mild Hybrids
A mild hybrid uses a smaller electric system to assist the combustion engine.
It cannot normally drive using electric power alone.
Its servicing requirements are therefore generally closer to those of a conventional combustion-engine car, although the vehicle still has additional electrical components that may need checking.
Full Hybrids
A full hybrid can use electric power on its own in certain driving conditions.
Because the electric motor and battery play a bigger role in driving the vehicle, the hybrid system and associated electrical components form a more important part of the servicing process.
Plug-In Hybrids
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has a larger battery and can be charged from an external power source.
Some PHEV owners may drive many of their everyday miles using electric power.
However, the combustion engine is still there and still requires servicing.
So even if you’ve covered relatively few miles using the petrol engine, you shouldn’t ignore the manufacturer’s time-based service requirement.
Does Driving Style Affect Hybrid Servicing?
It can. Two identical hybrid cars can have very different maintenance needs depending on how they are used.
Mostly short journeys
If you mainly drive short local journeys, the combustion engine may not spend much time at normal operating temperature.
You should still follow the manufacturer’s servicing schedule rather than extending the interval because you’ve covered fewer miles.
Lots of motorway driving
Long-distance driving can put more mileage on the vehicle, so the mileage-based part of the servicing schedule may be reached sooner.
Mostly electric driving
PHEV owners who regularly drive in EV mode may cover relatively few miles using the combustion engine.
That doesn’t mean the engine no longer needs servicing. Time-based servicing can still apply.
High annual mileage
If you cover a lot of miles each year, speak to your garage about whether additional checks between scheduled services would be useful.
The manufacturer’s schedule should always be the starting point.
What Happens If You Skip a Hybrid Service?
Skipping a service doesn’t necessarily mean your hybrid will immediately break down.
The problem is that small issues can go unnoticed.
Delaying servicing can mean:
- Old engine oil remains in the engine for longer
- Brake wear isn’t identified early
- A weak 12-volt battery goes unnoticed
- Tyre or suspension problems aren’t picked up
- Hybrid-system faults remain undiagnosed
- Manufacturer service requirements may not be followed
- Small problems can become more expensive repairs
Regular servicing isn’t just about replacing parts. It’s also an opportunity for a technician to spot developing problems before they become more serious.
Does a Hybrid Need Servicing If It Mostly Runs on Electricity?
Yes. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about hybrid cars.
A hybrid may use its electric motor for much of your journey, but it still has a combustion engine and other mechanical components.
For example, a plug-in hybrid can travel many miles using electric power, but it may still need:
- Engine oil and filter servicing
- Brake inspections
- Fluid checks
- Tyre checks
- 12-volt battery testing
- Hybrid system checks
So don’t judge your service requirements purely by how often the petrol or diesel engine switches on.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended time and mileage interval.
Hybrid vs Petrol vs Electric: What’s Different?
If you’re wondering how hybrid servicing compares with other types of cars, this gives you a simple overview:
| Service area | Petrol | Hybrid | Fully electric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Oil filter | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Spark plugs | Where applicable | Where applicable | ✗ |
| Conventional brakes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Regenerative braking | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hybrid battery checks | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| EV battery checks | ✗ | Where applicable | ✓ |
| 12V battery | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric motor system | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Exhaust system | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
The important difference is simple:
A fully electric car doesn’t have a combustion engine, while a hybrid still does.
That’s why a hybrid retains many traditional servicing requirements while also needing checks of its electric drivetrain.
Can Any Garage Service a Hybrid Car?
Not necessarily. A hybrid contains electrical systems that require the correct knowledge, equipment and safety procedures.
When choosing a garage, ask whether they have:
- Technicians trained to work on hybrid/high-voltage systems
- Appropriate safety equipment
- Suitable diagnostic equipment
- Experience working on hybrid vehicles
- Access to the manufacturer’s required service information
This is particularly important if your vehicle needs work on its high-voltage system.
A garage doesn’t necessarily need to be a main dealer to work on a hybrid. A suitably trained and equipped independent garage can also service hybrid vehicles, provided it follows the manufacturer’s requirements and has the equipment needed for the work.
Hybrid Servicing at TJ Services
At TJ Services, hybrid servicing should be approached in the same way as any other vehicle: start with the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and then consider the vehicle’s age, mileage, condition and how it is being used.
For a hybrid, that means looking beyond the normal engine service items and considering the relevant electric and hybrid systems as well.
If your hybrid is due a service, our team can advise you on the appropriate service requirements for your vehicle and explain any additional work identified during the inspection.
If you are based in Fleet, Farnborough, Aldershot, Farnham, Tongham, Ash Vale or the surrounding Hampshire area, you can contact TJ Services to discuss your hybrid servicing requirements.
Important: Only keep the TJ-specific claims above if they accurately reflect the services, equipment and technician qualifications available at TJ Services.
Ready to Book Your Hybrid Service?
If your hybrid is due for a service, don’t wait until a warning light appears.
Contact TJ Services today to discuss your vehicle’s servicing requirements and find out what maintenance your hybrid needs.
FAQs
How often does a hybrid car need servicing?
Most hybrid cars need servicing once a year or at the manufacturer’s specified mileage interval, whichever comes first. The exact schedule varies between makes and models, so check your owner’s handbook.
Do hybrid cars need oil changes?
Yes. Most hybrids have a petrol or diesel engine, so they still need regular engine oil and filter changes according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
Is hybrid servicing more expensive than servicing a petrol car?
It can be, because a hybrid may require additional checks of its battery, electrical systems and hybrid components. However, the cost varies depending on the vehicle, manufacturer, service level and work required.
Does a hybrid battery need to be checked during a service?
Depending on the vehicle and manufacturer’s requirements, diagnostic checks may be carried out on the hybrid battery and related systems. Your garage should follow the servicing requirements for your specific model.
Do hybrid cars need an MOT?
Yes. Hybrid cars are subject to the same MOT requirements as other cars. In Great Britain, most cars need their first MOT when they are three years old and then annually.
An MOT and a service are not the same thing. An MOT checks whether the vehicle meets the required legal safety and environmental standards at the time of the test, while servicing is intended to maintain the vehicle and identify developing maintenance issues.
Do plug-in hybrids need servicing?
Yes. A plug-in hybrid still has a combustion engine, even if you mostly drive using electric power. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended time and mileage schedule.
Can an independent garage service a hybrid car?
Yes, provided the garage has the appropriate knowledge, training, safety equipment and diagnostic capability for the vehicle. It does not automatically have to be a main dealer.
What happens if I don’t service my hybrid?
You may miss early signs of engine, brake, battery or electrical problems. Delayed servicing can also mean you’re no longer following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.