Quick Answer
Most luxury car owners check oil, tyres, and coolant. These 7 hidden inspection points — from air suspension reservoirs to ground strap connections — catch AED 5,000-30,000 failures before t
You check your oil. You check your tyres. Maybe you glance at the coolant level. That covers about 30% of what Dubai's climate attacks on your luxury car.
The other 70% fails silently. Components that look fine from outside but are degrading month by month — until they fail catastrophically and the repair bill arrives.
Here are seven inspection points that most owners (and many garages) never check. Each takes less than 2 minutes. Together, they form a 15-minute monthly routine that catches expensive failures before they happen.
Where: Brake fluid reservoir, typically on the driver's side of the engine bay with a clearly marked cap.
What to check: Fluid colour through the transparent reservoir.
| Colour | Meaning | Action | |--------|---------|--------| | Clear/light amber | Fresh, healthy fluid | No action needed | | Dark amber/brown | Degraded, moisture absorbed | Schedule fluid change | | Dark brown/black | Severely degraded | Change immediately |
Why it matters in Dubai: Brake fluid is hygroscopic — it absorbs moisture from the air. Dubai's humidity (40-90% depending on season) accelerates moisture absorption. Moisture in brake fluid lowers its boiling point, increasing the risk of brake fade during hard braking in hot conditions.
Dubai timeline: Fluid goes from clear to dark amber in 8-12 months (vs. 18-24 months in dry European climates). Change annually regardless of mileage.
Cost of checking: Free, 30 seconds Cost of ignoring: AED 3,000-8,000 (brake caliper damage from boiled fluid)
Where: Stand 5 metres behind your vehicle on flat ground. Look at the gap between the tyre top and the wheel arch.
What to check: Is the vehicle sitting level? Is the gap between each tyre and its wheel arch the same on left and right?
Warning signs:
Why it matters in Dubai: Air suspension springs leak faster in Dubai heat. Rubber seals harden from thermal cycling, creating micro-leaks that drain the system gradually. By the time a warning light appears, the compressor has been overworking for months — and may be damaged too.
What to do if you notice sag: Book an air suspension inspection before the warning light appears. Catching a seal leak early costs AED 1,500-3,000. Waiting for compressor failure costs AED 6,000-12,000.
Applies to: Range Rover, Bentley Bentayga, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes S-Class/GLE/GLS, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Porsche Cayenne/Panamera
Where: Coolant expansion tank, usually on the passenger side of the engine bay. Marked with MIN/MAX level indicators.
What to check:
Warning signs:
Why it matters in Dubai: Coolant systems are under maximum stress in Dubai. A slow leak that loses 100ml per month is invisible day-to-day but means the system is running with progressively less capacity during the months when it needs the most.
Cost of checking: Free, 30 seconds Cost of ignoring: AED 5,000-80,000 (overheating damage, head gasket failure)
Where: Visible rubber hoses in the engine bay — coolant hoses, vacuum hoses, intercooler hoses.
What to check: Squeeze accessible hoses firmly with your fingers.
| Feel | Meaning | Action | |------|---------|--------| | Firm and springy | Healthy rubber | No action | | Soft, mushy | Degraded internally | Schedule replacement | | Hard, unyielding | Heat-hardened, brittle | Schedule replacement (higher urgency) | | Cracked surface | Imminent failure | Replace immediately |
Why it matters in Dubai: Rubber degrades 2-3x faster in sustained engine bay temperatures of 100-130°C. Hoses that would last 8-10 years in Europe last 4-5 years in Dubai. A burst coolant hose in traffic causes immediate overheating.
Priority hoses to check:
Cost of checking: Free, 2 minutes Cost of ignoring: AED 500-2,000 (hose replacement at the roadside with towing)
Where: The ground under where your car parks overnight.
What to check: Any new wet spots or stains that weren't there before.
| Fluid | Colour | Location | Concern Level | |-------|--------|----------|---------------| | Water (clear) | None | Under front passenger area | Normal (A/C condensation) | | Green/pink/orange | Coolant colour | Front/centre | High — coolant leak | | Brown/black (thin) | Engine oil | Centre/rear | Medium — oil leak | | Red/dark red (thin) | Transmission fluid | Centre | High — transmission leak | | Clear, oily | Power steering or brake fluid | Front corners | High — hydraulic leak |
Dubai note: A/C condensation is normal and expected — large clear water puddles under the front passenger area are not a fault. Every other fluid is a concern.
Cost of checking: Free, 30 seconds Cost of ignoring: Variable — AED 500 to AED 50,000+ depending on what's leaking
Where: Battery terminals — typically under the bonnet, sometimes in the boot.
What to check: Visual inspection of battery terminals and cable connections.
Warning signs:
Why it matters in Dubai: Battery corrosion accelerates in Dubai's heat and humidity. Corroded terminals create resistance that prevents proper charging and can cause starting problems. A battery that tests "healthy" on a tester may still fail to start if its terminals are corroded — the tester measures the battery itself, not the connection quality.
Monthly action: If corrosion is present, clean terminals with a wire brush or baking soda solution. Apply dielectric grease or terminal protector spray after cleaning.
Cost of checking: Free, 60 seconds Cost of ignoring: AED 200-500 (roadside jumpstart) to AED 2,000-4,000 (premature battery replacement + possible electrical damage from voltage spikes)
Where: The outer and inner sidewalls of all four tyres.
What to check: Not tread depth — sidewall condition. Look for:
Warning signs:
Why it matters in Dubai: Dubai's sun and road temperatures (60-80°C surface temperature in summer) degrade tyre sidewall rubber faster than any other environment. Tyres that pass tread depth inspection may have structurally weakened sidewalls — invisible until a blowout at highway speed.
Dubai tyre lifespan: Regardless of remaining tread, tyres in Dubai should be replaced at 4-5 years from the manufacturing date (check the DOT code on the sidewall). European guidelines suggest 6-10 years — this does not apply in Gulf conditions.
Cost of checking: Free, 2 minutes Cost of ignoring: Priceless (tyre blowout at 120 km/h on Sheikh Zayed Road)
| # | Check | Time | What You Need | |---|-------|------|---------------| | 1 | Brake fluid colour | 30 sec | Eyes only | | 2 | Ride height (air suspension) | 60 sec | Step back, look | | 3 | Coolant level and colour | 30 sec | Eyes only | | 4 | Rubber hose condition | 2 min | Your fingers | | 5 | Under-vehicle drips | 30 sec | Look at ground | | 6 | Battery terminals | 60 sec | Eyes only | | 7 | Tyre sidewalls | 2 min | Eyes and hands |
Total time: approximately 8 minutes. Add 7 minutes for walking between check points and we're at 15 minutes.
When to check: Pick one morning per month — ideally after the car has been parked overnight on a clean, dry surface (makes drip detection easier).
Q: Do I need any tools for these checks?
A: No. All seven checks use only your eyes and fingers. If you find an issue, then you book a professional inspection for detailed diagnosis and repair.
Q: How is this different from what my garage checks during a service?
A: A good garage checks most of these during a service visit. But services are typically annual or at 10,000-15,000 km intervals. In Dubai's climate, components can degrade significantly between services. Monthly owner checks bridge the gap.
Q: What if I find something concerning?
A: Document what you found (photo with your phone), note the date, and book an inspection with your specialist. Don't wait for the next scheduled service. Early detection is the entire point of these checks.
Q: Can I do these checks on any car, not just luxury vehicles?
A: Absolutely. These seven points apply to every vehicle. Luxury cars tend to have more complex systems (air suspension, multiple cooling circuits) that benefit more from early detection, but the principles apply universally.
Q: Should I check these more often in summer?
A: If your car is parked outdoors in summer, biweekly checks are worth considering. Summer is when rubber degrades fastest, cooling systems are under maximum stress, and batteries are most vulnerable.
These seven checks cost nothing and take 15 minutes. The failures they prevent cost thousands and take days. The maths is simple.
Equipment. Knowledge. Patience. Start with the knowledge. If the checks reveal something, bring it to a specialist who has the equipment and patience to fix it properly.
Reviewed by [Workshop Director], MotorMec Dubai. Last updated: February 2026
