I bought a filter kit and replaced it myself when I bought my first VX with 51K miles back in 2009. Very easy to do, no need to go to a shop. When replacing it there is a magnet in the cover - clean the magnet from all the metal dust that sticks to it. I think it's good to replace it especially if it has never been done but do it after MOAB. It has run for 160K without the filter replaced and will sure run through MOAB just fine with the old filter.