Chinese Car Servicing Costs UK: Every Brand Compared

Last checked September 2026. Prices are dealer menu prices including VAT and vary by dealer; always ask for a quote.

Servicing is where Chinese cars often quietly save you money, especially the electric ones. But intervals, prices and dealer networks vary a lot between brands, and a couple of hybrids have surprisingly expensive services hidden in their schedules. Here is what it costs to keep each Chinese brand on the road in the UK.

Service intervals and costs at a glance

Brand	Service interval	Typical cost	UK dealers
BYD (electric)	Every 2 years / 20,000 miles	£349 per service for the Dolphin and Atto 3; £472 for the Seal RWD	About 125 to 150
BYD (DM-i hybrids)	Every year / 10,000 miles	£175 to £993, alternating minor and major	As above
MG	Every 12 months	Around £110 to £200 for an MG4; ZS Hybrid+ plan about £193, £425, £359 then about £1,000	About 160
Omoda and Jaecoo	Every year / 10,000 to 12,000 miles	3-year plan: £555 petrol, £599 hybrid	About 146
Changan Deepal	First at 2 years / 24,000 miles, then yearly	Not published	About 40 to 60
Chery	Not published (likely yearly)	Not published	About 85
Leapmotor	Not published	Dealer plans from about £14.49 a month	About 70 to 80 (Stellantis dealers)
XPeng	Every 12 months / 12,500 miles	Not published	About 40 sites
Maxus (electric vans)	Every 2 years / 18,000 miles	Not published	Growing network

Electric cars are much cheaper to service

An electric car has no engine oil, spark plugs, timing belt, exhaust or clutch. A service is mostly checks: brakes, tyres, suspension, cabin filter and software. That is why BYD moved its electric cars to a service every two years in 2026, and why a BYD Dolphin or Atto 3 costs around £349 every other year. Over four years that is roughly £700, where a comparable petrol car might need four services at £200 to £400 each.

Watch out for expensive hybrid services

Hybrids and plug-in hybrids have both an engine and an electric motor, so they need the full petrol-car service plus EV checks, and some brands load the cost into particular years.

MG ZS Hybrid+: owners report a four-year dealer plan of roughly £193, £425 and £359, then about £1,000 for the fourth service.
BYD Seal U DM-i: services alternate between about £175 and £993.
Jaecoo 7 plug-in hybrid: a dealer plan costs about £1,079 for four years or £1,679 for seven.

A service plan spreads these costs into monthly payments and usually locks in today’s prices, which is worth considering on a hybrid.

Can I use an independent garage?

UK competition law, known as Block Exemption, says you can have a new car serviced at an independent garage without voiding the warranty, as long as the garage follows the maker’s schedule, uses parts and fluids to the right specification, and gives you an itemised invoice.

In practice, check the small print first. MG, Omoda, Jaecoo and Chery warranty documents refer to authorised dealers, which could lead to a dispute over a claim. You would also lose extras that come with dealer servicing, such as MG’s AA cover and Omoda and Jaecoo’s RAC cover, which are renewed at each dealer service. Changan says independent servicing is fine if it follows the schedule and you keep the invoices. Our warranty comparison explains each brand’s terms.

Dealer networks: how far is your nearest?

Network size affects how convenient servicing is and how quickly repairs get done. MG, with about 160 dealers, and BYD, with 125 to 150, have the widest coverage. Omoda and Jaecoo have grown to around 146 sites in two years. XPeng and Deepal are much thinner on the ground, so check the distance to your nearest service point before buying. Zeekr has no UK dealers yet.

How to keep servicing costs down

Choose an EV if servicing cost is a priority: they need less work and less often.
Buy a service plan on a hybrid to spread the expensive years.
Ask for the menu price in writing before booking; prices vary between dealers.
Keep every invoice to protect the warranty and resale value.
Check tyres and brakes yourself between services. Heavy EVs can wear tyres faster, which is often the biggest running cost after electricity.

For the full cost picture, see our guides to insurance groups, depreciation and charging costs.

Frequently asked questions

How often does a BYD need servicing?

BYD electric cars need a service every two years or 20,000 miles under the 2026 schedule. BYD DM-i plug-in hybrids need a service every year or 10,000 miles.

How much is an MG4 service?

Independent estimates put an MG4 EV service at around £110 to £200. MG does not publish a fixed price, so ask your dealer for a quote or a service plan.

Do Chinese cars have to be serviced at the dealer?

The law allows independent servicing if the schedule is followed and correct parts are used, but several brands refer to authorised dealers in their warranty terms, and you may lose free roadside cover.

Are Chinese cars expensive to maintain?

Chinese electric cars are generally cheap to maintain because they need little routine work. Some hybrids have one or two expensive services in their schedule, so check the full plan before you buy.

Chinese Car Servicing Costs in the UK: Every Brand Compared