Car repairs service prices and Mot booking premium provider Reading, UK these days: The most obvious and frequent expense is fuel, whether in liquid or electric form, but simply shopping around can save you money even with fuel prices rising. And while staying on the right side of the law means you’ll need to pay for Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax), insurance and annual MOT testing – if your car is 3 years old or more – there are ways to save in those areas too. At present, zero-emission vehicles are exempt from paying road tax, so an electric car could be one potential option for cutting costs in the longer term. Regardless of the type of car you drive, you will also have additional expenses to account for such as maintenance, servicing, and breakdown cover, and these can add up very quickly. See additional information on cheap car servicing Reading.
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.
Buying what you need second-hand is a surefire way to save even more money, and well established sites such as eBay and Gumtree make this easy. Don’t discount Facebook Marketplace, either – it’s particularly ideal for bulkier accessories that you can pick up locally, avoiding postage charges. There’s an old adage about buying once and buying right, and that’s certainly true when buying tools, parts or accessories for your car. Yes, it’s possible to buy a set of screwdrivers or pliers for a few pounds at your local bargain store, but when you’re working on your car there’s a fair chance they’ll let you down when you need them the most. The issue is not just that you’ll need to replace them, but it’s also the time taken to jump in the car and find a retailer that’s open. And you might end up paying more than you need to.
Even though it has been around a long time, the main ethos behind the MoT has not changed. It is designed to identify any weaknesses or faults on a car which may endanger the lives of road users – both inside and outside the car. However, and very topical at the moment, emissions testing was also introduced to the MoT test in a bid to identify and repair cars which have defunct emissions control systems e.g. catalytic converters. Should a vehicle fail its MoT, it is not permitted to be used on the public highway (excluding of course being trailered), unless you are going to or from an pre-booked MoT MoT test at an authorised garage. Thus, it is vital to make sure your chariot of fire passes its MoT first time, saving you time, money, and hassle.
It’s next to impossible traveling with a broken air conditioning system in your car in the London heat. It can lead to health issues on days with high temperature and humidity. Therefore, you should proactively schedule a maintenance for your car’s air conditioning system. If that isn’t feasible, the least you should do is conduct a self-inspection of the air conditioning system and consult an expert if something appears to be wrong that can’t be fixed by you.
If there’s a problem, book an appointment to go and show them the vehicle. Depending on what car you drive, they may even visit you to survey the car’s needs. If not, drop off your car and take a cab to work supplied by our sister company 1st Class Cars. if it’s just the matter of a day or two. Where To? Finding The Right Car Servicing Centre Tilehurst Your car’s make and model may have you visiting someone around the corner, or someone quite a distance away. If it’s the latter and you like the way they work, stick with them. If you’re looking for a change, look up a few authorized servicing centers for your car model. Discover extra details on carservice-centre.co.uk.
Decide between the independent corner garage and the dealership service department. Technicians at the dealer are specialists; they are manufacturer-trained and typically work exclusively on your make of vehicle. Most dealers have an ongoing training program for the service staff, which includes not only the service technicians but also the service manager, advisors and support staff. (See “Roles of the Dealership Service Staff…Who Does What”.) But the dealer service department is usually the most expensive route. And it doesn’t mean that the dealers always have the best technicians. Many independent auto repair service facilities are started by previous dealer employees who want to operate their own repair store. For help deciding which is right for you, see “Corner Garage vs. Dealer Service Department.”
An MOT certificate confirms at the time of the test your car met the minimum road safety and environmental standards required by law. It doesn’t mean your car will remain roadworthy for the following 12 months. You still need to make sure you maintain your car well, including regular servicing. Make sure you’re not caught out by any of the five simple reasons for a fail shown above, then inspect your car against our 11-point checklist below. If you find any problems in the following areas, you can fix some yourself to help keep garage costs down. The interior of your car will be checked as part of the MOT test. The seat belts; All seats within your vehicle must have seatbelts and all seatbelts must be in the correct working order. The type, condition and security of the seatbelts will also be checked.
Your car is more than four wheels; it’s been through a lot with you. You need to know that you can rely on it. Tilehurst Service & MOT Centre are experts at servicing all makes and models of cars, we’ll help keep your car running as well as the day you bought it. Are you selling your car? Nothing devalues a car more than an incomplete service book. A fully stamped book shows prospective buyers that you’ve taken good care of it. We provide a thorough service from experienced mechanics, and that all important stamp in your book.
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.
Replace windshield wipers: If your wipers aren’t working like they used to, don’t let the problem linger. Damaged or worn out blades can reduce visibility during a heavy rain or a snowstorm. Knowing how to inspect your wiper blades regularly and replace them when necessary is one way to help keep your car safe. Change your engine air filter: A dirty engine air filter can allow dirt and other particulates into your car’s engine and reduce its efficiency. Inspect your car’s air filter once a year and replace it as needed.