ROVER Group has scrapped the first service on most of its cars and 4x4 models as the company joins the growing list of manufacturers to make the move in a bid to reduce operating costs. Extended first service intervals now apply to the Rover 200 (except those with the VVC engine), the Tourer, 400 (except 416 automatic), the 620 diesel, 820 and 825 petrol registered on or after August 1 (S-plate).

The engines affected by the change are the K-series (not VVC), L-series, T-series and KV6. The new Land Rover Discovery, which receives its world debut at next month's British International Motor Show, joins the Freelander, launched earlier this year, in having the longer service intervals. The Freelander was launched with 12,000-mile service intervals and the new Discovery will hit the showrooms with intervals up from 6,000 to 12,000 miles.

Range Rover's servicing remains at 6,000 miles, and the rest of the Land Rover range also stays unchanged for the time being but is expected to double to 12,000 miles in the near future.