Major car service
Published by the Serviced247 editorial teamLast reviewed 24 October 2026
A major service is a full service plus the longer-interval items that fall due roughly every two years or 24,000 miles.
As with the other tiers, the term is a garage convention rather than a standard - the useful question is which extra items are included.
What a major service usually adds
- Everything in a full service
- Spark plugs on petrol engines, where the schedule calls for them
- Brake fluid change, where due
- Additional filters - commonly fuel and cabin filters
- A more thorough inspection of suspension, steering and drivetrain components
Coolant, cambelt, gearbox oil and DPF work are usually separate scheduled jobs even on a major service. Confirm before booking.
When is it due?
Commonly every second year or around 24,000 miles, but a manufacturer schedule takes precedence. If your car is on a variable schedule, the service indicator and handbook decide, not the garage's tier names.
Cost
A major service costs more than a full service because of the additional parts and labour.
Price ranges on this page are Serviced247 editorial estimates of typical UK independent-garage pricing. They are not quotes, no garage is bound by them, and they vary by vehicle, parts and location. See our methodology for how we produce them.