Major vs minor car service: how they differ, and why BOTH are important

Published on 25th May, 2023 at 02:08 pm

Vehicle services are essential, irrespective of how old – or new – your car is. Know the difference between a major and minor car service, and why they are equally important.

Reading time: 3 minutes

In this article you’ll learn:

• The difference between a major and minor car service.
• What typically gets checked during each type of service.
• How the Sanlam Reality vehicle value calculator can help you insure your vehicle for the right value.

Ask just about anyone what the worst stress in life is, and car troubles are almost guaranteed to be among the most popular responses. Yet, even with the best intentions, they’re still somehow something all of us experience a few times in our lives. While there is no guaranteed way to avoid car troubles, you can make sure you cut out unnecessary risks and potential problems further down the road. We turned to Johan Visagie, Transport Manager at Panavision and Panalux South Africa, for expert tips.

In a car accident? Don’t miss these important next steps to ensure a smoother insurance claims process.

The importance of regular professional car services

Want to keep your vehicle in top running condition? Visagie says that car services should be prioritised. “Services are not only about checking oil, water and air filters,” he says. “Services also include important safety checks, such as checks on brakes, steering and suspension components,” he notes. For this reason, he explains, it’s important that you don’t only book services when issues arise. With regular services, early signs of trouble can be spotted and should prevent you from being stranded on the side of the road.

He adds that regular services shouldn’t only be reserved for older vehicles. “Even new cars can give trouble after only a few hundred kilometres,” explains Visagie. “After all, they’re mass-produced items that can still have manufacturing issues even after they’ve gone through quality control.”

Your car depreciates in value every year, which means you could be over-insured. Use the Sanlam Reality vehicle value calculator to ensure your vehicle is insured for its retail value.

Major vs minor car service: what you can expect

Done regularly and timeously, these car services are designed to prioritise vehicle safety, and longevity, and to save money. When it comes to cars, preventing a problem is more affordable than fixing it.

Minor service

A minor service might be done as often as every 15 000 kilometres.

For minor car services, checks will be done on the battery, emissions, exhaust system and handbrake, among others. “Your oil will be changed, and your oil filter will be replaced. Along with this, your air filter will be checked and replaced if necessary,” says Visagie. Regardless of service level, additional things will be checked like brake and coolant fluid levels.

Major service

A major service might be done at around the 45 000-kilometre mark, or as your car manufacturer suggests. Depending on how much you drive, this could equate to once a year.

Major services include checks on everything from the front to the rear bumper, including brake wear checks and drivetrain inspections. This includes spark plugs, brake pads, timing belt, fan belt, CV joints and shocks, among others.

If you’re insuring your car, use Sanlam Reality’s vehicle value calculator to avoid over- or under-insuring your vehicle.