Car MOT checks and mobile mechanic Reading near me: Inquire about pricing and labor rates. Before you surrender your keys to the service department, be sure to determine the labor rate. Shops typically post the rate in a conspicuous place, so be observant and ask questions if you’re confused. Make sure you understand the way in which you will be billed for an auto repair. Many shops bill according to estimated repair times established by the manufacturer. A repair that the service tech deems “minor” could indeed be an all-day job according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Looking for mobile mechanic Reading or other MOT checks services? A pre-MOT checklist should cover the following areas: Your lights need to all be in good working order. This includes your headlights, sidelights, indicators, and brake lights as well as your number plate light. You may need to get a friend or family member to assist you when checking the brake lights, or back your car up to a wall and check them via reflections. Things such as unsecured light mounts can also be cause for MOT failure. So be sure to check whether there are any wobbly lights on your car.
Headlights and indicators: front, rear, headlights (main beam and dipped), hazard lights and indicators. If any aren’t working, first check for broken bulbs and replace them. Brake lights: ask another person to check the rear brake lights come on when you press the brake pedal. Tyres: check all the tyres have at least the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm, or they’ll be marked as an MOT ‘fail’. This can easily be done with a 20p coin – see the diagram on the Tyre Safe website. Check for any damage such as splits in the tread, bulges or cuts in the sidewalls. Also check the tyre pressure is correct – the car’s manual will list the right pressure and they might also be on the sidewall of the tyre itself – and increase it at a petrol station if necessary.
Keeping your car in good shape can help keep you and your passengers safe. And remember, if you’re ever unsure about how to inspect or replace a car part, be sure to contact a local mechanic for help. Different climates present different obstacles to keeping your vehicle looking sharp. Winter can cause a buildup of road salt, ice and slush that corrodes the paint on your vehicle. Summer presents its own challenges with dirt, sap and sand that can also cause damage. Fortunately, you don’t need to go to an expensive car wash every few weeks to keep your vehicle clean. Popular Mechanics highlighted steps for you to wash your car at home and potentially save a few bucks by avoiding the car wash.
You can get a quote online by using our quote engine widget for every vehicle make and model by simply entering your vehicle registration number to make a booking and you do not pay car service centre Tilehurst until the work has been carried out to your liking and you are happy with the work that has been carried out. On collecting your vehicle all the work that has been carried out will be explained to you and our technician will run this through with you before driving away in your vehicle.
The cooling system of your car’s engine needs to be fully functional and in the top-notch condition during summer to prevent the engine from overheating. Flushing the cooling mechanism is important and should be done from time to time. Don’t forget to check the coolant level to make sure it is at the right levels. You can fill it up with the coolant as needed. The rubber and plastic components of the cooling system may get damaged from the overheated engine, So it’s better to check those as well, and get it fixed if needed.
Car Servicing Tilehurst Whichever car it is that you drive, be it a family saloon, a huge 4×4 or a sports car, you would always love to have it be a reliable and consistent performer, like a well-oiled machine. And this isn’t very difficult. All you need to do is take the car in for it’s periodic checks. Car servicing is the single most important element to ensure a long and trouble-free life for your car. Car Service Tilehurst – Scheduling Your Car’s ‘Scheduled Maintenance’Of course, there’s every possibility that your schedule is a bit too hectic and you’re busy with work, or just cannot afford to drop the car off for a service because you’re afraid it might just take too long. Read even more details at mot-centre.com.
Clean the engine : Use clean fuel to make the engine clean and strong from inside. From time to time it should also be cleaned externally. Leakage along with dust and debris can damage the engine so use any engine cleaner to wipe off the dirt.
Not every chip or crack on a windscreen will cost you an MoT certificate, as it’s all down to location. The details may seem complicated, but as a rule of thumb you can get away with chips smaller than 10mm in front of the driver. Any damage bigger than 10mm in front of the driver – and also in the glass area swept by the wipers – will be an MoT fail. Elsewhere on the glass, damage has to be larger than 40mm to constitute an MoT fail. Wiper blades must be in good condition – not perished or damaged – and clear the screen effectively. The washers must work too, and the MoT tester is within their rights to issue a fail if you haven’t topped up the washer bottle or unblocked dirty washer jets with a pin!
How frequently should I service my car? You should have your car serviced annually or before it reaches a certain mileage outlined by the manufacturer (typically 12,000 miles) – whichever comes first. It’s best to check the service intervals in your car’s handbook, because they vary depending on the model, fuel type and engine. What work is carried out during a service? This depends on the service interval your car has reached. Most first services for new cars will involve only an oil and filter change, then the second service will also include the replacement of components with a 24-month lifespan – such as the spark plugs (petrol cars only), glow plugs (diesel cars only) and the brake fluid. There will be a larger, full service the following year, and after that the same cycle continues throughout the car’s life. However, if you own an older car and don’t cover many miles, you can opt for smaller services more often.
Cars are becoming ever more sophisticated. Unfortunately, this also means that there are more electronic components that could fail. Have you ever taken your car to a garage with a warning light on, only to find they can’t locate the problem? We use the latest diagnostic equipment to find the fault, and then we repair it. From ABS and airbag sensors, to engine management lights and air conditioning, we’re here to help you.
If your radiator builds up deposits, it can mess with the cooling system in your car. To keep the radiator in top shape, a radiator flush will do the trick. How often you need to replace the radiator fluid will depend on your vehicle. Start by consulting the owner’s manual to get an idea. For the most part, you can get away with flushing the radiator every couple of years. Now that you know about these basic car repairs, you can keep your car in top shape for many years to come. Remember to rotate your tires, change the oil, replace the brake pads, and more.
The handbrake: check the tension in your handbrake. If it slides up and down without resistance and can’t be ratcheted to a set level, there’s likely to be a problem needing fixing by a professional mechanic. Seats and seatbelts: check the driver’s seat adjusts forwards and backwards and inspect the full length of the seatbelt for any damage. The brakes; The safety, condition and performance of your brakes will be tested thoroughly tested. If relevant, the ABS/ESC dashboard will be tested alongside the dashboard functions.