My commuter now gets ongoing servicing. It's washed once a week, the chain is wiped clean every few days (or post-ride if it's been wet) and lubed, the lubrication points are regularly lubed, the brakes and gears are adjusted as and when, brake pads are checked (last night I replaced the Koolstops I put on in June, and now the seatpost is removed and the shim cleaned and regreased when it starts creaking again after a few wet rides.
I left the MTB for a year after getting it before I decided to service it, and there was a lot to put right by then. Now it works out easier, quicker and less costly to do it frequently so that small problems are sorted before they become big, expensive ones.