Mini Service in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

As is the case with any vehicle, MINIs require regular servicing in order to ensure they are kept in optimum condition. Exactly how often these services are required is highly dependent on the MINI model, and the type of usage it is subject to.

According to the majority of MINI servicing schedules, most MINIs should undergo an interim or 'bronze' service approximately every 5000 miles, and a full or 'gold service every 10,000 miles, or 12 months - whichever comes first. The SSI system will keep track of time and mileage in Mini models manufactured before 2006, letting owners know when a service is due. Outside of traditional service scheduling, MINI has developed a condition based servicing system, installed in all mini models manufactured after 2006. The CBS performs specific diagnostic checks on your vehicle as it is used, and is able to determine, and alert drivers to the exact type of maintenance or service required by their MINI should it be suffering from any issues.

The exact checks, adjustments, and part replacements your Mini service includes are dependent on the type of service selected.

An interim, or 'bronze' service (conducted approximately every 5000 miles) includes approximately 30 system checks, including ABS warning lights, seatbelts, air conditioning, oil levels, and clutch fluid.

A full service, completed every 12 months or 10,000 miles, will be more extensive - including approximately 50 checks and adjustments. Full services tend to cover all points of an interim service, alongside additional checks, and the replacement of expendable parts such as spark plugs, oil, and filters.

If you are unsure of the type of service required by your MINI, it's onboard SSI or CBS system should be able to further advise you on either what service your vehicle will next require, and, in the case of CBS, what particular issues need to be examined.

In MINIs manufactured before 2006, the SSI system and service light will alert drivers to due or overdue services on a mileage and time-based system. The majority of the time, when the service light is illuminated in an older MINI, it is simply due a service (or the light has been activated by fault).

In MINIs produced after 2006, the CBS (condition-based servicing) system is able to alert the driver to services due, thanks to both to its ability to monitor time and mileage and due to its constant monitoring of a number of systems and parts for wear or damage. Parts monitored by MINI's CBS include oil, brake pads, brake fluid, and spark plugs. The CBS system is able to alert drivers to specific issues relating to these parts and may suggest a service prior to servicing schedule suggestions should any be suffering from significant issues.

Typically, MINIs require interim, or 'bronze' servicing on a 5000 mile or 6-month basis, and a full, or 'gold' service every 10,000 miles, or 12 months. These guidelines may change slightly for those with newer MINIs using CBS (condition-based servicing) systems, which determine service intervals according to usage monitoring.

Your MINI's CBS or SSI system will alert you to servicing requirements through dashboard lights or notifications. For those using a CBS system, this light reads CBS. All data collected by these systems is stored within the MINI's computer system, making it easier for your technician to directly identify what should be reviewed during the service.

Servicing your MINI with an independent garage or dealer will not invalidate its warranty – so long as certain conditions are met. Though dealerships often state that vehicles must be serviced at MINI dealership locations in order to retain their warranties, EU ‘block exemption’ laws state that vehicle owners may have their vehicle serviced by an independent garage or dealership without invalidating their warranty - the manufacturer’s recommended schedule is followed, and only manufacturer-approved or equivalent quality parts are installed. Independent garages, such as Auto Service & Tuning Centre, are able to access MINI’s servicing schedules, invest in advanced diagnostic equipment on-par with that used in dealerships, and source genuine, or equivalent quality parts, whilst offering servicing at an accessible price point.