Do Hybrid and Electric Cars Need Servicing?
Do hybrids and EVs really need servicing? A Cranbourne West workshop explains what hybrid and electric cars still need maintained – brakes, batteries, tyres, coolant – and what they don’t.
Yes – the ‘no maintenance’ myth
A common belief is that hybrids and electric cars need little or no servicing. It is half-true and half-dangerous. EVs and hybrids do have fewer moving parts than a petrol car, so some traditional jobs shrink or disappear. But they still need regular maintenance to stay safe, reliable and under warranty – just a different list. Skipping it because ‘electric cars don’t need servicing’ is how owners end up with avoidable problems. Here is what hybrids and EVs genuinely need looked after, and what they no longer do.
What a hybrid still needs (engine side)
A hybrid has a petrol engine as well as an electric motor, so it still needs the engine-side basics: oil and filter changes, coolant, spark plugs and filters at their intervals, and the usual checks. Because the petrol engine often runs less and at lower temperatures than in a conventional car, some fluids and components have their own considerations. In short, a hybrid needs much of what a normal car needs, plus its hybrid-specific items. It is not a ‘set and forget’ machine – regular servicing keeps both halves of the drivetrain healthy.
What an EV needs (and doesn’t)
A pure EV drops the big traditional jobs – no engine oil, no spark plugs, no timing belt, no exhaust, no conventional gearbox. But it is far from maintenance-free. It still needs brake checks, tyre care, suspension and steering inspection, cabin filter, air-con service, brake-fluid changes, and coolant for the battery and electronics on many models. There are fewer things to do, but the ones that remain still matter for safety and reliability – and keeping records protects the warranty. ‘Less servicing’ is not ‘no servicing’.
Brakes and regenerative braking
Hybrids and EVs use regenerative braking – the motor slows the car and recovers energy – so the friction brakes are used less and the pads often last much longer. That sounds great, but it has a twist: because the brakes are used so little, the pads and rotors can corrode or seize from lack of use, especially in damp climates. So they still need regular inspection, cleaning and servicing to work properly when you really need them. Long-lasting is not the same as maintenance-free.
The 12V battery – the one that strands EVs
Here is a surprise to many EV and hybrid owners: alongside the big traction battery, these cars still have a conventional 12V battery that runs the computers, locks and systems – and it is the 12V battery, not the expensive one, that most often leaves them unable to start. A weak 12V battery can cause all sorts of odd electronic faults. We test and replace it like any other battery (registering it where required). Do not let the high-tech drivetrain distract from this humble, failure-prone part.
Tyres, suspension and steering
EVs and hybrids are often heavier than equivalent petrol cars (batteries are heavy) and deliver instant torque, which can mean tyres wear faster – so tyre checks and rotation matter. Suspension and steering components wear the same as on any car, or faster under the extra weight, and remain key safety and roadworthy items. None of this changes just because the car is electrified. Regular checks of tyres, suspension and steering are as important on an EV as on anything else – arguably more so given the weight.
Coolant for batteries and electronics
Many hybrids and EVs use liquid cooling to keep the high-voltage battery and power electronics at the right temperature – and that coolant needs checking and changing on schedule, just like engine coolant. Keeping the battery properly cooled is important for its longevity and performance. It is an easy item to overlook precisely because people assume an electric car has no fluids to worry about. A proper service includes checking these systems, not just the obvious bits.
Cabin filter, air-con and the small stuff
All the everyday comfort and safety items still apply: the cabin (pollen) filter needs replacing, the air-conditioning needs servicing and the occasional re-gas, wipers and washers need topping up and replacing, lights need checking, and software/recall updates may be due. EVs also lean heavily on the air-con/heat-pump system for cabin and sometimes battery climate control, so keeping it healthy matters even more. These are the small, cheap jobs that keep the car pleasant and safe – and they do not disappear with the engine.
High-voltage safety – the right workshop matters
Hybrids and EVs carry high-voltage systems that can be dangerous to work on without the right training and equipment – this is not DIY territory, and not every workshop is set up for the high-voltage side. The good news is that the bulk of routine servicing (brakes, tyres, suspension, 12V battery, cabin filter, fluids, diagnostics) is well within a capable independent workshop’s scope, while genuine high-voltage repairs need appropriate qualification. We will always be clear about what we can do and where a specialised high-voltage repairer is the right call.
Book a service for your hybrid or EV
Hybrids and EVs absolutely benefit from regular servicing – just a smarter, different checklist than a petrol car. We look after the brakes, tyres, suspension, 12V battery, fluids, air-con and diagnostics that keep yours safe, reliable and warranty-valid, and we will be straight about the high-voltage boundary. See our car servicing page, book online, or call 03 8782 0711 for a chat about what your model needs.
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StarTech Prestige is your RACV-accredited Cranbourne West specialist. Book online or call 03 8782 0711.
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Patrick, Leon & the StarTech Prestige team
A father-and-son workshop — founded by Patrick (40+ years in the trade) and run by his son Leon, servicing Mercedes-Benz and European cars in Cranbourne West for 22+ years. StarTech Prestige is RACV Approved, VACC A-Grade and ARCtick licensed — rated 4.7★ from 177 Google reviews, the highest in the area.
Do Hybrid and Electric Cars Need Servicing? — FAQ
Yes – just less, and a different list. No oil or spark plugs, but they still need brake, tyre, suspension and steering checks, the 12V battery, brake fluid, battery/electronics coolant, cabin filter and air-con – plus records to protect the warranty.
Yes. A hybrid still has a petrol engine that needs oil and filter changes, coolant, plugs and filters at their intervals – plus its hybrid-specific items. It needs much of what a normal car needs.
Often it’s the small 12V battery, not the big traction battery, that’s flat – it runs the computers and systems and is the most common cause of a no-start. We test and replace it like any other.
Most routine servicing – brakes, tyres, suspension, 12V battery, fluids, cabin filter, diagnostics – yes. Genuine high-voltage repairs need a specialised qualification, and we’ll be clear about that boundary.
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