Affordable mobile mechanics and vehicle MOT test verification Reading: Additionally, with a mobile mechanic, you can see the repairs performed on your car and ask questions, which can better understand the work and help you make informed decisions about your vehicle. In short, the cost-effectiveness of using a mobile mechanic offers an affordable and transparent solution for all of your car repair needs. Searching for mobile mechanic Reading or other MOT verification services in the United Kingdom? You can oversee the work carried out! When you drop your vehicle off at a workshop, you may not be able to see what is happening on it, whereas with a mobile mechanic, you can speak to them during the process, and go through any parts or components that require replacing with the mechanic – although keeping your distance when the mechanic is working under the vehicle is advisable so they are not distracted.
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!
Check belts and hoses: A broken belt or a leaky hose can stop you in your tracks. For example, a snapped serpentine belt can cause several systems to fail, including your air conditioner compressor and power steering, according to Consumer Reports. Plus, they also point out that if your radiator hose is damaged or leaking, your car can quickly overheat, resulting in significant damage. To avoid any problems, you, or your mechanic, should check your hoses and belts during every oil change. Also, it’s easy to pop your hood occasionally to see if there are any overly worn belts, or cracked, broken or hardened hoses. As Bob Vila points out, if you hear any squealing or wailing noises when your car is running, a belt or hose may be going bad. Consult your mechanic and owner’s manual on how and when to replace any belts or hoses.
Car interior being cleaned before MOT test: It is important to ensure that all of your seatbelts are of the correct length and in working order. If you pull sharply on each seatbelt they should react by locking. Your horn will be tested during your inspection – it is important that it can be heard by another road user. Giving your horn a quick honk should show whether it is working! Finally, the warning lights on your dashboard will be included in your test so it is crucial to make sure that they all light up when you start the car and that they go out before you start driving. If any of the warning lights remain lit then you should fix the errors or have your car seen to before your test.
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.
Ignore the myth of the 100,000-mile tune-up. “It doesn’t exist,” states Principe. “Each vehicle has a specific tune-up schedule recommended by the manufacturer. The more you keep the systems clean, the better the vehicle will run.” Variations in climate and driving style also dictate the necessity for maintenance. Commuting in dusty desert conditions will quickly clog air filters, while driving short distances repeatedly can wear out the exhaust system, as moisture is never completely evacuated. Extremely hot and cold conditions require more attention paid to radiator fluid and engine oil.
Windscreen wipers: make sure your wipers clean your windscreen effectively along with the washers. Remember, any tears or holes in the wiper rubber can mean an MOT fail. Suspension check: check the shock absorbers by applying your weight to each corner of the car then quickly releasing it. The corner of the car should quickly return to its original position. If it bounces more than twice, this could mean the shock absorbers are faulty and need to be checked. Horn: give a short blast of the horn – if it doesn’t work or isn’t loud enough to attract the attention of pedestrians or other motorists, get it repaired.
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. Find extra information at http://www.mot-centre.com/.
Have you ever collected your car after an MOT, and then been left open mouthed at the cost? Some MOT centres advertise one price and then add on hidden charges. There are no hidden charges with Tilehurst Service & MOT Centre. The price you see is the price you pay. We have an outstanding reputation for great customer service, high quality repairs and low prices. Call us today for a quote, and find out why. Great value MOT testing, at times to suit you.
Changing the oil and checking the fluids is something your car cannot go without. Depending on your car and how often you drive, most cars need an oil change between every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Making it a habit of changing the oil will extend the life of your vehicle and save you money on costly repairs. During routine oil changes, your mechanic can also check to make sure all other fluids in your car are topped off.
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 doors; Each of your doors must latch securely in a closed position and each hinge will be checked for security and condition. Front doors should open from inside and outside the vehicle. Rear doors must open from the outside.
