A major service is the most thorough type of car service available.
It includes everything you get in an interim or full service, and adds a few key extra maintenance items to keep your car running properly.
Be aware that different car brands – and even different service centres – may have slight differences in what they include as part of a major service. It's worth checking out the fine print so you know what items are being checked and replaced.
What does a major car service include?
As mentioned, there's no universal agreement among brands and service centres about what a major service should include. However, we've put together a checklist below that shows the main differences between a major, full and interim service.
| Interim service | Full service | Major service | |
| How often (recommended) | Every six months | Every 12 months | Every 24 months |
| Engine oil | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Engine oil filter | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Engine air filter | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Cabin air filter | ✅ | ||
| Brake fluid | ✅ | ||
| Petrol spark plugs | ✅ | ||
| Diesel fuel filter | ✅ |
What's the difference between a major and minor car service?
A major service covers pretty much all your car's consumable components, and carrying one out every 24 months is a great way to ensure your car works properly for as long as possible.
In this context, a 'minor service' usually refers to a full service. These should be carried out every 12 months, which means you'll usually alternate annually between a full and a major service.
While a major service covers almost all replaceable parts, a minor service usually just sees your engine oil, oil filter and engine air filter replaced. This is sometimes referred to as a 'fluids and filters' service.
How long does a major car service take?
You should expect a major service to take a bit longer than a full or interim service. We'd suggest budgeting at least four hours for a major service, but it could take longer depending on how busy the service centre is or how complex your car is.
A major service will usually also involve a thorough inspection of your car's bodywork and mechanical components. If any issues or damage is discovered here, then you'll need to allow extra time for those unexpected problems to be rectified.
How much is a major car service?
This figure can vary widely depending on the make and model of your car, and where you choose to have it serviced.
We'd expect a major service for most mass-market cars to cost at least £250-£300. Expect to pay up to double this figure or more if your car is expensive and/or from a premium manufacturer.
