Frequently Asked Questions
Latest MOT and Servicing News
We hope you can find the answers to any questions you may have on this page. If not please use our Advice Form to submit your advice request and we will not only email you the answer but post it here to provide the answer for anyone to see.
Q. My car only covers about 3.000 miles a year, how often should it be serviced?
Your handbook should tell you the frequency, but the general rule is for low mileage cars service every 12 months.
Q. Why does my car need servicing when it has only done 3.000 miles since the last one?
A low mileage car usually does a larger percentage of short journeys where the engine does not reach full operating temperature. This actually harms the engine and items like the engine oil get contaminated with fuel and the tyres deteriorate through been stood. This is why the Manufacturers recommend annual servicing.
Q. Do I need to take my car back to the Dealers for servicing to preserve my Warranty?
No. Block Exemption Regulations (BER) were introduced in October 2003. This means that vehicles still need to be serviced on time to the same standard and using equal quality parts but there is no requirement to use the Main Dealers. (For full details www.autosafe.org)
Q. My car has just had a major service at the Main Dealers and the brakes are squealing why is this?
The reason is simply that the manufacturers only ever instruct the dealers to check the brakes. This can sometimes be done without even removing the wheels, let alone servicing the brakes. We include a brake servicing in our Standard Full Service and always offer it as an option if we are doing a Schedule Service. We believe this is an important contribution to road safety and will improve your MPG.
Q. I will be on holiday when my MOT is due. How do I ensure I can legally drive my car home from the airport?
Your car can be tested up to a month before its due date. (even its first test) If the car passes, the unused time is added to your new certificate, if it fails you still have a valid MOT which gives you time to carry out the repairs.
Q. What is the difference between a Schedule Service and a Standard Full Service?
A Schedule Service breaks down (into schedules) everything that your vehicle needs to have checked over its lifetime. This is acceptable if your vehicle is serviced on time and every time. However, this does not allow for work carried out between services which may then be repeated unnecessarily upon servicing.
For example, if you had recently had the timing belt changed and then took it to the dealers it could be replaced unnecessarily according to the schedule. This is an expensive item that you certainly do not want to pay for twice.
Our Standard Full Service simply covers all the service items that are required on a regular basis, excluding extra items like replacing timing belts. We would of course advise you if we thought this was due and of the extra cost involved). We also service the brakes, which is not part of a Schedule Service.
Q. I always bring my car to you for servicing but take it to the fast fit outfits to get my tyres and exhaust cheaper, why can�t you match their prices?
We can, they spend a lot of money discounting certain lines to give the impression that they are cheaper than anybody else. We can certainly match them and quite often beat them on price and you have the added advantage of the work being completed by a qualified Technician.
Q. I have a large van, where can I take it for an MOT Test?
Vans have two classes:
Up to 3.000kg can be tested at any car testing station. (Class 1V.)
3.000- 3,500kg can only be tested at a class V11 test site (this weight is on the Vin plate)
Vehicles above these weights have to be tested by VOSA. We test Classes 1V, V, and V11. There are different regulations covering Motor Caravans and Minibuses.
