DIY vs Professional Oil Changes: Which Approach Saves You More?

27 Jun 2025

Clean oil circulating through your engine is integral to the smooth running of your vehicle, making regular oil changes essential. But when the time comes for routine maintenance and servicing, are there tangible professional oil change benefits that justify the financial outlay? Or does it make better economic sense to carry out a DIY oil change yourself? From monetary costs to practical considerations, here’s a complete breakdown of the advantages of each approach.

Why Regular Oil Changes Are A Responsible Decision

The responsibility of changing a car’s oil and maintaining a vehicle in a roadworthy state lies entirely with the owner. As a conscientious car owner, you should check oil levels and clarity frequently, and schedule routine servicing according to the vehicle’s manufacturer’s recommendations. Not only will this ensure your car remains in a safe condition, but it will also prevent damage from unnecessary wear and tear.

What is Typically Done During an Oil Change?

The core responsibilities of an oil change include:

• Draining the old oil.
• Replacing the oil filter and oiling the gasket to ensure a tight seal.
• Refilling the engine’s oil reservoir with fresh, clean, manufacturer-recommended oil.
• Running the engine briefly, so that oil can circulate, and levels can be topped up if necessary.
• Checking around the drain plug and oil filter for any evidence of leaks.

A professional oil change will often include benefits like these additional services:

• Other fluid checks, such as coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid, replacing or topping up as needed.
• Inspection of components like the air filter, hoses, and belts for wear or damage.
• Testing and inspection of tyres, wheel alignment, brakes, and the exhaust system.
• Safe and responsible disposal of old oil and parts. 
• Resetting the oil change reminder system.
• Updating of service logs for your maintenance and warranty records.

Comparing the costs involved in a DIY oil change versus a professional service can show which route makes the most financial sense.

How Much Does a Professional Oil Change Cost vs a DIY Oil Change?

If you can carry out the necessary tasks yourself, you may be wondering if it’s better to do an oil change yourself. To do an oil change at home, you’ll need to purchase new oil and oil filters. But there are other costs involved in the DIY route, especially if it’s your first time.

As well as fresh engine oil and a filter, you’ll need a set of basic tools, heavy-duty gloves, and a drain pan. You’ll also need products for cleaning up messes and spillages, and to find somewhere to safely dispose of the old oil. 

It’s worth noting, too, that a professional mechanic has expert insight into what oil grade and type is right for your vehicle, and which oil filter to choose. A DIY mistake here could necessitate another full oil change and potentially even damage your engine.

Is A DIY Oil Change Worth It? - The Hidden Costs of Time and Effort

While a DIY job might save you some money on the face of it, you’ll need to factor in other elements to get a true comparison. Changing your own oil is strenuous work and will take up at least an hour of your time, plus preparation and cleanup. If you’re an automobile enthusiast or like getting your hands dirty, this might well appeal, but for many of us, it’s a messy, time-consuming hassle. 

It’s worth noting that skipping or incorrectly performing an oil change can void your vehicle’s warranty. This makes the professional option a very strong choice if you have any uncertainties.

Professional oil change benefits, on the other hand, include more than just the extra services they offer. They’re quick and efficient, with all the dirt and inconvenience taken care of for you. You can be assured that the correct products will be used, as per the manufacturer's specifications, and your warranty protected. 

Many mechanics even offer a pick-up and drop-off service, or will perform an oil change while you wait, making a professional oil change an even more convenient option. Add to that the peace of mind offered by the knowledge that a qualified expert has serviced your car, and you might agree that the extra cost of the professional option is justified!

What Are the Potential Long-Term Savings of a Professional Oil Change?

Those extra tasks performed during a full service, like brake and tyre inspections, and fluid level checks, can save you real money long-term. They allow your mechanic to identify any issues early, before they can develop into serious problems that cause your vehicle lasting damage. Fixing small leaks or replacing degraded brake fluid promptly helps avoid incurring the costly repairs that arise from unknowingly allowing things to deteriorate further. Over time, those expert inspections can extend your vehicle’s lifespan and even safeguard its resale value.

The complexity and fine-tuning of modern engines also means that a DIY oil change is a trickier task than it used to be. Errors like incorrect engine oil choice, underfilling the oil, or over-tightening the drain plug can result in serious engine problems. One of the greatest benefits of a professional oil change is that you needn’t worry about getting these things wrong. 

Can I Just Refill My Oil?

If oil levels are low but the oil quality is fine, then topping up your engine oil between services is sufficient. It’s no substitute for a full oil change, however. Simply refilling oil doesn’t remove the debris, degraded compounds, and contaminants in the old oil. These remain in the reservoir and circulating through your engine, and can cause serious damage over time.

If, according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule, an oil change is due- usually every 5,000-10,000km- or if your oil is looking thick, dirty, or sludgy, then simply refilling it isn’t enough. You should book an oil change at your earliest convenience- or perform one yourself, if that’s your preference.

DIY vs Professional Oil Change - Which Saves You More?

If you own your own tools, have some automobile know-how, and enjoy tinkering with your car, DIY oil changes can offer modest savings and a satisfying way to spend an afternoon. For most drivers, however, the reliability, expert oversight, convenience, extra servicing checks, and peace of mind that a professional oil change offers more than justify the extra financial outlay.

Whether you opt to trust the pros or prefer to do it yourself, it’s important not to delay an oil change. Keeping to a regular oil change schedule is vital to maintaining your car’s performance and safeguarding its longevity.

If you’re ready to book in and let the experts handle it, use Gulf Oil’s dealership locator to find your nearest mechanic, and we’ll ensure your vehicle is running at its best.