What’s the Difference between a Minor and Major Car Service?

What’s the Difference between a Minor and Major Car Service?

You’ve seen the term “Minor” and “Major” on your service bill but what do they mean exactly? The terms don’t refer to musical chords but two different levels of service.

Simply put, a minor service is a more common and cheaper periodic maintenance check that focuses on fluids and visual inspection, while a major service is a highly detailed, expensive inspection that mandates the replacement of many core parts and fluids, especially cooling-related ones. Both are essential parts of your luxury vehicle’s maintenance regime, and neglecting either is a big no-no if you want to maintain your vehicle’s value.

If you’re reading this blog, it’s because you drive something special. Best then to start with a trusted auto repair shop that understands premium platforms, like Alex Renner Motors (ARM), a car service center focused on luxury and supercar servicing and maintenance.

From a Porsche SUV for the school run to your weekend Ferrari, they’ve got you covered.

Minor vs Major car service

So now we’ve defined the terms, what’s exactly involved in a minor service? At a minimum, it calls for fresh oil and filter, a basic vehicle diagnostics scan, fluid top-ups, a look at brake condition, tyres and lights, and a proper road test. In other words, it’s routine car maintenance by professionals at an auto repair shop that keeps systems within spec.

What about the major service? That’s when your car really gets properly examined: plugs and crucial items such as coolant or transmission fluid get changed promptly, engine belts are renewed, and there’s a more detailed inspection looking deeper into the drivetrain condition.

If you are comparing minor vs major service in Dubai from different providers, the easiest way to judge is by the quality of the inspection notes and photos. Good vehicle repair services that value clarity (like ARM) deserve your dirhams – the rest, not so much.

Major car service meaning – in dirhams

Owners often ask, “How much does a major service cost?” Regardless of whether you own a Maserati or an Audi, this depends on model, mileage and parts choice.

A good estimate will explain labour time, parts quality and any advisories so you can prioritise your expenditure. If you run something really special, you may prefer sticking to a luxury major car service cadence, which simply means you stick closer to time-based intervals rather than the kilometres driven. Simply put, whether you own an Aston Martin, McLaren or even a regular Land Rover, a major service is not a place to save money – but it’s a great place to ensure your luxury car has a long life ahead of it.

What is a minor car service and how it help?

OK, so a major service is obviously expensive. Fortunately, there’s an alternative. Like a good walk after dinner, a minor service is a good habit that yields dividends – and avoids costly luxury car repair you don’t need.

What’s included in a minor service? The core items that need renewal including oil and filter, checking coolant levels, tyre pressures and a quick scan for stored faults. Sticking to a regular minor service schedule means your basics are covered and serious issues can be flagged up ahead of time, at a more reasonable cost than a major service.  

If you’re looking on your phone for “Best car service near Dubai”, remember to keep in mind AR Motors, which keeps things simple with notes you can understand and clear recommendations that protect both your pocket and your beloved vehicle. Whether you’ve got a Bentley or a Lamborghini, ARM has a full car service checklist to suit your car.

When to do a major service vs Minor Service

As we’ve said above, minor services are short, repeatable and relatively inexpensive whereas major services take longer and replace more parts.

For best results, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations exactly – they’ll take into account local conditions. How often to get major car service? This really depends on both the vehicle and usage, but it it should be at least every two years.

The benefits of regular minor and major car servicing show up in reliability, fuel economy, brake and tyre life – make sure you’ve got a full history with AR Motors for maximum effect.

Car service checklist

So you’ve read about the different types of car services that a certified luxury car service center specialised in car repair and long-term service maintenance like ARM can perform.

Let’s recap:

  • What is included in a minor service for cars? Oil and filter, fluid top-ups, basic scan, brake and tyre checks, lights and wipers, battery test, road test.
  • Is a major service necessary for my car? If you plan to keep it, yes.
  • When should I get a major vs minor service? Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, but as a rule of thumb a minor service should approximately be every six months or 10,000-15,000km, while a major service should be done every 40,000km or 2 years.
  • How much does a major service cost? Depends entirely on the parts, mileage and how you’ve used the vehicle. In all cases, expect a decently large bill.

Now that you’ve understood exactly what the difference is between a major and minor service, there’s only one thing left to do. Book a luxury car service appointment with Alex Renner Motors today, the place where you’ll find the best car mechanic in Dubai.