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Vehicle Maintenance Checklist: Daily, Monthly & Service Tasks

Use this free printable car maintenance checklist to remember routine checks, prepare for workshop visits, and keep track of work that has been completed. It is a general organizer, not a replacement for your vehicle manufacturer's service schedule.

Free printable checklist

Tick the items you've checked, then use your browser's Print command to keep a copy. The checkboxes only work in this browser page; nothing is uploaded or saved to an account.

Need a service record too?

How to use this checklist: Review the checks that apply to your vehicle, record any concern, and leave inspection or repair work to a qualified technician where necessary. The frequency of professional servicing comes from your owner's manual, not a universal checklist.

Before a drive or when something seems wrong

Notice any unusual warning lights, noises, steering or braking behavior.
Check that essential lights and indicators work.
Look for obvious new fluid leaks or damaged tyres before setting off.
Confirm the windscreen is clear and wipers work as expected.

If the vehicle shows a safety-related fault, avoid driving until the problem is assessed. Some checks require a qualified technician.

Monthly vehicle checklist

Check tyre pressures against the vehicle's recommended cold inflation pressure; inspect tread and visible damage.
Check the spare tyre or repair kit, if fitted.
Inspect exterior lights, brake lights, and turn signals.
Check washer fluid and wiper blade condition.
Check accessible fluid levels according to the owner's manual, when safe.
Inspect for battery warnings, visible corrosion, or unusual starting behavior.

Keep safety first: Do not open a hot cooling system or touch high-voltage EV components. If you are unsure how to check something, ask a professional.

At each scheduled service

Confirm the service items and due date or odometer threshold in the manufacturer's manual.
Ask the workshop to inspect brakes, tyres, steering, suspension and fluid condition as appropriate.
Complete oil and filter changes only at the specified interval and specification, where applicable.
Record parts, fluids, labour, service date, odometer and next due point.
Keep receipts or work orders with the service history.

What to do when a check finds a problem

What you notice	Practical next action
Warning light, new unusual noise or changed driving behaviour	Check the owner's manual and seek professional help. For safety-critical warnings, stop in a safe place rather than continuing the journey.
Tyre looks damaged or unusually low	Avoid driving if safety may be compromised. Have the tyre checked and follow the vehicle's recommended pressures.
Service date or distance is approaching	Check the manufacturer's schedule and arrange the appropriate workshop visit.
Service completed	Keep the workshop invoice, date, mileage, cost and next due point together in a service history log.

Example maintenance planner

These are check frequencies for your reminders, not universal replacement intervals.

Reminder	Suggested check	What to record
Before driving / when symptoms arise	Warning lights, unusual behavior and visible defects	Issue noticed, date and follow-up
Monthly	Tyres, lights, wipers, accessible fluids	Date, findings and action
Scheduled workshop service	Manufacturer-defined work, plus concerns identified by the driver	Odometer, date, work, costs, next due
Before travel	Tyres, fluids, lights and emergency equipment as appropriate	Inspection and any repairs needed

How often should you service your vehicle?

There is no single maintenance interval for every vehicle. Your owner's manual may specify a schedule based on mileage, time, driving conditions, or whichever comes first. Stop-and-go traffic, dust, short journeys, towing and other conditions can change which schedule applies. Read our oil-change interval guide for a simple example.

From checklist to maintenance history

Once you finish a service, create a record with the work completed, odometer, amount paid and next reminder. Our service history guide includes a downloadable CSV template.

Calculate your fuel costs

Helpful references

AAA car maintenance schedule · AAA maintenance checklist

Always follow the maintenance instructions for your specific vehicle. General guidance and example templates do not replace a manufacturer service schedule or professional inspection.

Turn a checklist into a maintenance plan

Need to track upcoming workshop visits? See our phone reminder guide or estimate annual costs with the vehicle maintenance budget worksheet.