A mechanic is trending on TikTok after recounting an encounter with a customer who brought in a brand-new car for service—despite skipping some of the most basic upkeep. User Mozalez Auto Repair (@mozalez_autorepair), who says he posts automotive content and offers “insight on different jobs and situations,” told viewers he recently worked on a customer’s 2025 Kia that came in for an oil change. The issue, he said, was how long the driver had waited to schedule it. According to Mozalez Auto Repair, the customer initially framed the visit as routine maintenance. Then came the admission. “I’m about 8,000 miles over,” Mozalez Auto Repair says the customer told him. “8,000 miles over? No, seriously—look,” Mozalez Auto Repair says, before showing viewers the dashboard display. The vehicle’s screen read, “Engine oil change due now. Reset oil life after oil change.” It also indicated that service had been required 8,785 miles earlier, putting the driver close to 9,000 miles past the recommended oil change window. Mozalez Auto Repair said he was stunned that someone driving a brand-new vehicle would let maintenance slide that far. “I don’t know how brand new it’s going to be once that engine blows up.” As of this writing, his video has garnered more than 900 views. How Often Should I Get My Car’s Oil Changed? For most newer vehicles, it usually lands somewhere in the 5,000 to 7,500-mile range. If the car runs on full synthetic oil, according to AAA, that window can stretch closer to 10,000 miles, depending on what the manufacturer recommends. Older cars tend to need it more often, which is where that long-cited 3,000-mile rule still comes up. How and where you drive matters as well. Heavy traffic, short trips, towing, or extreme heat and cold can all wear oil down faster, which sometimes shortens the gap between changes. There are well-reported downsides of skipping your car’s oil change, too. When oil service gets delayed, the damage tends to build gradually. Over time, the oil breaks down and collects debris, thickening into sludge that doesn’t circulate the way it should. That reduces lubrication, which increases friction and heat inside the engine. Drivers can sometimes feel it before they see it. According to Toyota, a louder engine noise, a burnt smell inside the car, or a dip in fuel efficiency can all be early signs that the oil is past due. Of course, dashboard warning lights are the clearest signal, but they aren’t the only ones. A burning oil smell or dark, gritty oil on the dipstick can also point to overdue maintenance. Indeed, oil changes are one of the more routine parts of car ownership, but skipping them can lead to far more expensive problems if the engine starts taking the hit. Viewers In Awe Of Kia Driver Commenters who came across Mozalez Auto Repair’s video said they were just as stunned as he was that the driver went so long without fresh oil, with many echoing his view that the car’s “new” status might not last much longer. One viewer put it bluntly. “It ain’t gonna be Brand new very long,” they joked. Another pointed to the make itself. “Of all the brands to do this [to] is crazy,” they added. “Bought a new car just to have to buy another new car,” a third commenter chimed in. Some responses focused on the delay itself, questioning why someone would wait that long for routine service. “Bet she was going for a high score,” one TikTok user laughed. “That screen looks like a console.” Another said the oversight stood out even more given dealership perks. “Don’t most dealerships give u the first 3 or 5 oil changes free?” they asked. At least one viewer used the moment to share their own maintenance approach if they were in Mozalez Auto Repair’s shoes. “I recommend 5w30 full synthetic on all of them,” they wrote, followed by a string of three laughing emojis. Motor1 has reached out to Mozalez Auto Repair via a direct message on TikTok. We will update this story if he responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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