MAJOR VS MINOR SERVICE: THE COMPLETE GUIDE FOR UAE CAR OWNERS

Why “major vs minor service” matters more in the UAE

In the UAE, cars don’t have an easy life. Between summer temperatures that can sit in the high 40s, long highway drives between emirates, endless speed bumps and heavy traffic with the AC on full blast, every part of your car works harder than it would in many other countries. What looks like “normal use” here would be classed as “severe conditions” in many owner’s manuals. That’s why the idea of just “servicing the car once a year” doesn’t really fit the reality on the ground.

Because of this, most workshops in the UAE push shorter service intervals than what you might see in brochures from cooler regions. Instead of waiting 15,000 km or more, many owners now follow a pattern of engine oil and basic inspection every 5,000–7,500 km or every six months, whichever comes first. On top of that, there are bigger, less frequent services where fluids, filters and wear items are changed together. That’s where the difference between minor and major service comes in, and it directly affects how reliable your car will be and how much you’ll spend over the years.

The problem is that “major” and “minor” are not official, global terms. Each dealer and workshop can define them slightly differently. If you don’t really know what you’re paying for, it’s easy to either overspend on things you don’t need yet or, even worse, skip critical items that should have been done years ago. Understanding the logic behind these two types of service makes it easier to plan your costs, ask the right questions, and avoid big surprises.

What is a minor service?

You can think of a minor service as your car’s regular health check. It’s not there to overhaul everything. It’s there to keep the basics under control, catch early signs of wear, and keep fluids fresh enough that they can protect the engine and other components properly.

Typical interval for a minor service in the UAE

On paper, many manufacturers still quote 10,000–15,000 km service intervals, especially for modern cars on synthetic oil. But those numbers are based on a mix of driving conditions, not constant heat, traffic and dust. In cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, you get a lot of idling, stop-start use, short trips, and long periods with the AC running while the car barely moves. That all counts as heavy use.

This is why many owners and workshops move to a shorter cycle: roughly every 5,000–7,500 km or every six months. If you commute through dense traffic, do food delivery or ride-hailing, or often sit with the engine running and the AC on while waiting, sticking to the shorter end of that range is usually the safer option. The goal is to avoid the oil and filters being pushed to their limit.

What a minor service usually includes

A properly done minor service is more than just “change the oil and stamp the book.” In most cases, it should cover:

• Engine oil change with the correct grade for GCC climate
• Oil filter replacement
• Visual check of front and rear brakes, pads and discs
• Tyre inspection for wear, cracks, nails and correct pressure
• Basic suspension and steering check for obvious play or leaks
• Fluid level check and top-up where needed (coolant, brake fluid, power steering if applicable, washer fluid)
• Quick check for oil leaks, coolant leaks and damaged hoses
• Battery check and charging system test
• Reset of the service reminder and a short road test

Some workshops will also connect a diagnostic scanner to look for stored fault codes, even when there are no warning lights on the dashboard. This can sometimes reveal early issues with sensors or systems that have not yet reached the point where a warning is triggered.

What a minor service does not usually include

A minor service is not meant to replace every fluid or wear part in the car. Typically, it does not cover:

• Spark plug replacement
• Coolant flush and replacement
• Brake fluid flush
• Transmission fluid change
• Timing belt or timing chain-related work
• Deep AC service or cleaning
• Detailed suspension work

Those items fall under major service or specific additional jobs. If someone offers a “minor” service that claims to cover absolutely everything at a very low price, it’s worth asking what brand of parts and fluids they are using and whether the checklist is realistic.

What is a major service?

A major service is where you reset the “age” of many key systems. It doesn’t happen as often, but when it does, it’s the moment where you replace older fluids, filters and parts that have slowly degraded over years and tens of thousands of kilometres.

Typical interval for a major service

There is no single universal number, but many manufacturers and experienced workshops treat the 40,000–60,000 km range as a point where a lot of important work comes due. Spark plugs, coolant, brake fluid and sometimes transmission fluid all have their own recommended change intervals. On top of that, rubber parts like belts and hoses also age with time, not just mileage, so many owners aim for a major service every three to four years even if they have not driven a huge amount.

The exact timing depends on the car’s brand, engine type, gearbox type, and how it has been used so far. However, as a simple rule, if your car is approaching one of these mileage milestones and you have no clear proof of when these items were last changed, it is sensible to assume you are due for a major service or at least a detailed inspection.

What a major service should include

A proper major service is quite comprehensive. It normally includes everything in a minor service plus a lot more. For most cars, that would mean:

Fluids and filters

• Engine oil and oil filter
• Air filter replacement
• Cabin (AC) filter replacement
• Fuel filter replacement, if it is serviceable on your car
• Coolant flush and refill with the correct type
• Brake fluid flush and bleed
• Transmission fluid change if the gearbox is designed to be serviced
• Differential and transfer-case oil change on 4x4s and SUVs

Wear items and checks

• Spark plug replacement where due (copper plugs wear faster than iridium or platinum types)
• Detailed brake inspection with exact measurements of pads and discs
• Suspension and steering inspection, including bushings, control arms, ball joints and shock absorbers
• Check and adjustment of belts, and timing belt replacement if the engine uses one and the interval has been reached
• Detailed AC performance test and check for leaks, weak cooling or fan issues

Diagnostics and software

• Full diagnostic scan for fault codes stored in any modules
• Checking and updating software where appropriate
• Relearning or adaptation procedures for throttle, transmission or other systems if required

This kind of service takes more time and costs more than a simple oil change, but it can easily save you from future breakdowns, overheating, braking problems, gearbox failures and random electrical issues.

How the UAE environment changes the rules

Car manufacturers design their service schedules based on a wide range of climates and usage patterns. Somewhere in Europe, a car that does mainly steady highway mileage in mild weather can often get away with long intervals. In the UAE, that same schedule becomes risky. High ambient temperatures, sandstorms, high humidity near the coast and constant AC use put more stress on the cooling system, the oil, the rubber parts and even the electrical system.

Dust and sand clog filters and radiators far more quickly than in cleaner environments. Engines often sit idling in traffic while still producing a lot of heat, and automatic gearboxes spend more time shifting up and down instead of cruising in one gear. All of this means that fluids break down faster and parts have to absorb more thermal cycles. Following a “global” schedule without adjusting for local reality is one of the reasons some cars start to feel tired quite early in their life here.

This is why many experienced technicians in the UAE talk about “severe service” schedules. These are the same cars, but on a harsher duty cycle. Shorter intervals for oil changes, more frequent inspections of cooling systems, and earlier replacement of some wear parts are not a way to sell more work for no reason. They are a way to keep engines, gearboxes and brakes in their comfort zone instead of permanently on the edge.

What actually happens if you skip each type of service

Skipping services is a bit like skipping health checkups. You might feel fine at first, but the damage accumulates quietly. The impact is different depending on whether you’re skipping minor services, major services, or both.

Skipping minor services

If you push oil changes far beyond their due date, the oil slowly loses its ability to protect your engine. It becomes thinner when hot, it carries more contaminants, and it can start to form sludge inside the engine over time. At first, you might just feel that the car is a bit noisier or rougher, but in the background, wear on bearings, camshafts and timing chains increases. Fuel consumption can also creep up because the engine is not running as smoothly or efficiently as it should.

On top of that, worn tyres, brake pads nearing their limit, or small leaks can go unnoticed when there is no regular inspection. You might only find out about these problems when something fails suddenly: a brake warning light appears just before a trip, or a coolant hose finally bursts on a hot day. None of these issues appear overnight. They are often the result of minor services being missed or reduced to the bare minimum.

Skipping major services

Skipping major services is where things get expensive. Old coolant loses its protective additives and starts allowing corrosion inside the engine and radiator. Deposits build up and narrow the passages through which coolant flows, making overheating more likely, especially in summer traffic. Old brake fluid gradually absorbs moisture from the air, which reduces its boiling point and can make the pedal feel soft or spongy when you need to brake hard. Ignoring spark plug replacement intervals can lead to misfires, poor starting and damaging unburned fuel entering the exhaust system.

Transmission fluid that is never changed can also cause trouble. In many modern automatics and dual-clutch gearboxes, fluid plays a huge role not just in lubrication but also in cooling and hydraulic control. When it breaks down, shift quality suffers, clutches behave unpredictably, and internal components wear faster. At that point, you’re not talking about a simple service anymore. You’re talking about repair or overhaul costs that can easily be several times the cost of doing the right major service on time.

How to know what your car needs right now

Most owners don’t sit with spreadsheets of every service item. The easiest approach is to look at three things: time, mileage and history.

Step 1: Check time and mileage since last service

Ask yourself two simple questions. When was your last service done, and how many kilometres have you driven since? If it has been more than six months or more than about 7,500–10,000 km, you are almost certainly due for at least a minor service, even if the car feels fine. Oil and inspections are basic protection that shouldn’t be postponed.

If your odometer is approaching 40,000, 80,000, 120,000 km or another “big” number, and you are not sure what has ever been done beyond oil changes, it’s a strong signal that you should consider a major service or a professional inspection with a proper checklist.

Step 2: Pay attention to symptoms

Cars often tell you when they are unhappy. Even before any warning light appears, you might notice rough idling, hesitation when accelerating, longer cranking before the engine starts, strange noises from suspension components when going over bumps, or a brake pedal that doesn’t feel as firm as it used to. Fuel consumption going up for no obvious reason is another hint.

If the car feels different in a way that you can’t quite explain, it’s worth mentioning those details when you book your next visit. A good workshop will link those symptoms to potential systems, and then plan the minor or major service around what actually makes sense, rather than just selling a package off a menu.

Step 3: Review your service history

If you have invoices or stamped service booklets, go through them and look for specific items: when were the spark plugs last changed, when was the coolant flushed, when was brake fluid replaced, and has the transmission ever been serviced? If you don’t see these items in the last few years, chances are they are overdue, even if your kilometre reading seems low. Time matters as much as distance for many fluids and rubber parts.

If you bought the car used and the history is incomplete or unclear, it is often safer to assume that the bare minimum was done. In that case, doing one thorough major service when you first take ownership can put you on a clean, predictable baseline.

Dealer vs specialist workshop for services in the UAE

There is a constant debate about whether it is better to stay with the dealer or switch to a specialist workshop once the warranty expires. Both options have their place, and the best choice depends on your car’s age, value and the kind of work needed.

Dealers are usually the right place while the car is under warranty or service contracts. They follow the manufacturer’s schedule, use genuine parts, and have official access to all software updates and technical bulletins. The downside is that labour rates and parts prices can be higher, which adds up as the car gets older.

Specialist workshops, especially ones that invest in proper diagnostic equipment and good technicians, are a strong option once warranty ends. They can follow the same schedules, use genuine or high-quality OEM-equivalent parts where appropriate, and often offer more flexibility in terms of customised packages and timing. In many cases, they can also spend more time explaining what your particular car actually needs instead of pushing the same package to everyone.

For basic oil changes and inspections, both can do the job. For major services involving complex diagnostics, cooling issues, engine work or transmission care, the important thing is not just the name on the signboard but the tools, training and experience in the workshop.

A simple service plan for UAE drivers

If this all feels like a lot, you can keep it simple with a basic framework and then adjust it slightly based on your car and your driving.

• Every 5,000–7,500 km or 6 months: minor service with oil, oil filter and full inspection
• Every 20,000–30,000 km: add air filter and cabin filter where needed, and give particular attention to brakes and suspension
• Every 40,000–60,000 km: major service with coolant, brake fluid, spark plugs (if due), transmission service (where applicable), and a full diagnostic scan

If you drive less but keep the car for many years, watch the time gaps as well. Fluids and rubber parts age even when the car sits in the parking lot. A good workshop can look at your history and map out a tailored plan on top of this simple structure.

At the end of the day, the major vs minor service question is really about timing and depth. Minor services keep your car running smoothly day to day. Major services reset the age of the systems that quietly wear out in the background. Getting both right, especially in UAE conditions, is one of the easiest ways to avoid breakdowns, keep repair costs under control, and protect the resale value of your car.