
Break down your car? Just find the best garage in Warrington


Do you often get anxious when your MOT due date approaches? Around 50% of Mot tests failure can be avoided with simple maintenance, and if you prepare your car before the test, you can avoid inconvenience and costly repairs afterwards.
Faulty light bulbs, inadequate tyre pressure or other tyre-related problems are a few common reasons behind MOT failure. Below are some tips that can help you pass the MOT test.
LightsTyres failures account for 10% of Ministry of transport test failures- You need to check your tyres for the following issues.
1. Tyre pressure- To pass the MOT in Warrington, ensure the tyres are inflated within the recommended pressure. It is imperative to do this because modern tyres work best when they are inflated properly.
2. Tyre tread depth- A tread depth of 1.6mm is widely accepted across the world. You should replace the tyres before they wear and tear to a dangerous level.
3. Other issues- You also need to check your tyres for cuts, punctures and other visible damages.
If your car does not have enough engine oil and fuel, it will be impossible for you to pass the MOT test. So, fill up your vehicle with adequate oil level and increase your chances of acing the ministry of transport test. If you take your car to the garage for regular maintenance, you need not worry about topping up engine oil.
Rules and regulations for number plates keep changing, making it difficult for drivers to update them. Your number plate should be seen from a distance and have proper letters and spacing. If you are unable to follow these things, you will end up getting failed in the test.
Another common reason for MOT failure is an obstruction in driver visibility. It includes broken mirrors and things that can block the driver's view. The best is to refrain from hanging anything from the rear mirror. And if you installed a dash camera, ensure its wires and cables do not hinder the view while driving.
The above tips will help you carry out the MOT test without any issues. If you get your car serviced regularly, then most of these will include in that. To find out more about car maintenance tips, stay tuned with us.
Summer heat can be as harsh to a car as chilly winters. But you don’t need to worry as there are some ways through which you can check and keep your vehicle in good condition. The below article will help you learn things, such as how to recognize common signs of car breakdown before they happen and what to do in case of emergencies. Read on to find out.
The battery gives a hard time to cars in winter and can be a bit easier on them in summer. But it can be the leading reason behind a car’s breakdown in hot weather.
• Increased stop-start activity leads to battery issues.
• In slow traffic and long journeys, people often plug-in devices such as mobiles, tablets and entertainment, which puts pressure on the battery and can damage it.
• Crawling in slow traffic also puts a toll on the battery.
• Facing difficulty in starting the car.
• Lights taking time to turn on or appear dim.
• Consider replacing the battery after four to five years.
• Charge your battery after regular short trips or search for car breakdown recovery services in Warrington.
You might not believe it, but many drivers don’t keep a spare tyre in the car. And we all know punctures are inevitable. Though one can tackle minor problems with tyres on their own, serious ones can only be tackled with the help of a repair kit or a mechanic.
Keep a spare tyre in your car along with a puncture kit.
• Summers can be harsh on your clutch.
• Clutch is used more in slow-moving traffic, and driving on unfamiliar roads in remote locations also puts a toll on it.
• Towing is the biggest reason for clutch failure.
• Also, unfamiliar locations such as unexpected hills can increase strain to it.
• The clutch does not fail immediately; it will give you signs such as a heavy pedal, etc. You just need to put enough attention towards it.
• Carry out an MOT in Warrington.
• Know about your route in advance.
• Familiarize yourself with your car towing capacity.
• It is one of the most costly repairs in a car.
• Alternator problem arises when there are battery issues.
• Hot weather and power-hungry devices put a heavy toll on the alternator.
• Red battery light in the car.
A leaking cooling system is one of the most common reasons behind vehicle overheating and extensive engine damage. If you own a vehicle with an air conditioner and see a small amount of water on the floor, don’t get afraid- it is due to the condensation of your air conditioning system, so it is normal.
If you have one and you haven’t used it for a long time. Check it by manually opening and closing it.
Dashboard warning lights indicate a possible problem in your car. It, therefore, must be in good working conditions. Consult a mechanic- if it is not operating correctly.
A fan belt also called an auxiliary belt, must be in good condition. To ensure if it is working perfectly, get it checked from a local dealer or garage.
They should be in good working conditions as they will allow you to change the tyre in the middle of your journey if anything happens. It is also beneficial to practice changing the spare tyre from the car manual.
Note: If your vehicle does not come with a jack and wheel brace, learn how to use a tyre repair kit.
There are some problems in the car that need professional help, but there are many things that you can fix on your own. Moreover, if you know about some car problems, you will be confident when going to a repair shop. Here are a few issues that you can take care of on your own.
1. Oil warning light is on
While travelling, if you see your oil warning light is on, stop the car immediately and shut down the engine. This could be due to engine problems or a bad oil pressure sensor. But it can also happen when the car's engine runs out of oil. To check the oil level, you must follow the steps below.
· Grab a tissue or a piece of cloth, and then pull the dipstick out.
· Clean the oil in the dipstick with the tissue and put it back into the dipstick tube.
· Remove the dipstick again to check the oil level. There are two markings or holes in the dipstick, which indicates the maximum and minimum oil levels. If the oil level in your stick is below the minimum mark, it means you need to add oil.
· Call your friend and add proper oil to your vehicle.
· After this, drive your car to a garage in Warrington to check for other oil consumption issues.
However, if your oil level is above the mark, there could be some serious issues for which you need to get it checked by a professional.
2. If your car stopped
If your engine doesn’t turn on with single-clicking or multiple clicking, there are chances that your battery is either dead or weak. If you are driving, you may not have the tools to fix your car issue on the road. Here are two ways through which you can do it yourself.
a. Warm up the battery
In cold weather, the chemical reactions that drive car batteries slow down. You can increase the power of the battery by increasing the battery output. An easy way to do this is to turn the engine on several times with a gap of 5-minutes.
How to do this?
· Start the engine and hold it there for 5 seconds.
· Turn the engine off.
· After 5 minutes, repeat the process four to five times.
b. Check the connections
In case your car doesn’t start after doing the above things. Reconnect the battery cables as their connection might get loose.
3. Fix dim headlights
People often think that dim headlights happen due to poor connections in the circuit. It could be the reason, but the most common is the corrosion on the ground connection. You can fix this issue by checking the corrosion in electrical connectors and cleaning the ground connection. Here are the steps that will help you know how to do this.
· Disconnect the headlight’s electrical connections and check for melted plastic or corrosion.
· If you find corrosion, apply an electrical contact cleaner on a simple brush and clean it.
· If you find a melted connector, replace it with a new connector. You can find it from an auto repair shop or garage in Warrington.
· After this comes the cleaning of headlight connections. You can locate the connector by following the ground wire to the chassis or connector.
· First, remove the screw bolts and then clean the connector with dielectric grease and reconnect them.
· If your headlights start giving bright lights, you have successfully fixed it. If not, you need to see a mechanic.
4. Check engine light
Check engine light turn on when your car computer has found some issues. It can be an engine issue, a transmission issue or a troubled code stored in the memory. But most of the time it is caused by faulty sensors which you can replace yourself. However, if the problem is a troubled code, you can get it checked by an auto repair shop. You can also find the codes yourself with the help of a scan tool or a code reader.
5. Fixing the car blinker
While travelling, if you find one blinker turns faster, it is usually because of a burnout bulb. You can replace the bulb to fix this issue on your own. When both of your car’s bulbs on the front and rear side are flashing rapidly, then don’t think it is the sign of a bad flasher- bad bulbs are still the reason. It is because some manufacturers use dual filament bulbs for parking and turn signal indicators. These filaments are positioned one over another, so a bad or damaged parking filament land on the other filament and leads to dim light or rapid flashing. The best way to deal with this is to invest in a new dual filament bulb.
At last, diagnosing simple car problems can help you save money but make sure you take your car to an auto repair shop when you don’t know what is causing the problem. Also, get your car checked by a professional once a year to save yourself from being stranded on an empty road late at night.
Vehicles are a great investment. One of the most important purchases most people make in their lives. And no car, truck, minivan, or sports car (SUV) has any value. They start depreciating when you drive them off the dealership lot. However, that does not mean the vehicle has no value. Even old and used cars have a certain value and can be sold or exchanged for some money. The important thing is to keep the value of the car as much as possible for as long as you own it. Here are the important tips on how to keep your car's value as high as possible.
1. Keep it Clean - It is important to remember that first impressions count and while a car should be mechanically sound, with no major electrical, window, or bodywork defects, it is always a good idea to clean the inside or outside of your car. You can even go further and pluck or polish the outside and vacuum the inside.
2. Age and mileage - Mileage has a greater impact on depreciation than age does. Cars often travel an average of 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. The more you drive and cover a few kilometres, the more likely your car will quickly lose its value. Think about how much wear and tear your car is going through by placing the six-figure mileage on it. If you've driven a top brand car for years and haven't travelled long distances, you can rest assured that your car is labelled "in excellent condition", which gives you a higher resale value or exchange rate if you wish to part ways with your car.
3. Dents, chips, and scratches - If you have a lot of these, it might be worth looking into how much it would cost an auto repair company to fix a significant problem with your car's bodywork. If it is necessary to replace a major ding to the panel, it may make more financial sense to repair it at car body repairs in Warrington- you can only take advantage of it while your car is being valued.
4. Bright lights - Nothing says "worn-out beater" like dirty headlights. Numerous headlight cleaning products on the market can make this plastic headlight covers sharp and clear in a matter of minutes. And many of these products work. If you've tried a window cleaner before, it failed because it wasn't designed for this job.
5. Show documents that your car is in good condition - Whenever you change oil, check fluids, change brakes, or change tires, be sure to keep your receipt. When you have proof of a properly maintained car, you have many options to get the price you deserve.
6. Wax on, wax off - Do you have faded colours? Try not to spend a lot of money on a new one. Break out the wax and polish your way to add value to your car. If the paint on your car is so faded that you can't remember what it was like, try opening the door and looking inside the door frame. The area inside the door frame is rarely exposed to sunlight and harsh chemicals, so it is close to the true colour of the car. Remember, all the wax masks and polishes in the world will probably never bring back that colour and shine, but at least it gives you something to work with.
7. Keeping the shine - When washing your car, experts don't recommend using household cleaners like dish soap. Use a product designed for this purpose to protect your car.
8. Store the car properly - Your garage is more than just storing old furniture and exercise equipment. It is designed to park your vehicle. And that's a good idea, especially if you live in a very cold or hot climate. Too much sun can fade a car's exterior, including body paint, mouldings, and trim. On the other hand, extremely low temperatures can damage the car engine and its components. By keeping your car indoors in an air-conditioned environment, you can avoid expensive repairs and maintain the value of the car in the long run. So, clean your garage and park your car in it tonight.
The MOT test is conducted essentially to ensure the protection of drivers while driving on the road and to make sure your car is in the good condition to hit the road. The MOT in Warrington is supervised by the local committees and the administration itself. If you are operating a vehicle without an up-to-date MOT history, it is against the law. It will indicate your vehicle insurance is invalid, and you would not be able to refresh your tax record as well. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, many changes are executed across the country. And also, MOT rules are modified with the altered protocols. Nevertheless, lockdown means are gently being rolled back, and many car owners may inquire if anything has changed related to MOT checks.
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| Photo source - Ashcroft Auto Centre - Facebook Page |
Get more information about new MOT test rules. We are always here for our customers to provide the best. There are many MOT Test centers where you can book your appointment and get the best customer service!
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| Photo by Petr Urbanek on Unsplash |
Significance of tyre and wheel balancing:
Car breakdown is one of the most difficult situations that can occur to anyone, and usually, it will happen to you at least once in your driving life. Early preparation and methods of avoiding car breakdown are something that all hacks that car owners should know. It is not sufficient to understand how to deal with a car broken down. In this situation, knowing the causes of why a car breaks down and evading those is still the most reliable way to go. Certainly, you apparently have your breakdown help provided by your coverage company but it would still be noted not to face car break downs. Keeping yourself aware of such conditions can help you reduce the tendencies of being stuck on the road because your car would not run. Here are some of the conditions of car break down.
Flat battery: The flat battery problem is one of the significant reasons to call breakdown recovery in Warrington. If you essentially use your car for small frequent tours, you will be at a bigger risk, as you might not be providing the battery sufficient time to recharge.
Flat tyre & wheel damage: Flat tyres and wheel damage are also the main cause of car breakdown. Lack of attention, wrong pressure, and infrequent changing are common causes of flat tyres and wheel damage. However, these are easy to improve and prevent.
Overheating: Many drivers experience overheating problem even if they are simply on a short town drive. If your car's cooling system is not operating accurately, you are most expected to meet car overheats because the oil tends to heat while the engine is running. If you want to avoid this situation, you need to ensure that the water pump of your car's engine is operating properly and that the cooling system distributes well. Also, the overheating problem can be created by a sticky thermostat. So, you need to check your car's system constantly.
Warning signs: The on-board system of your car can cause car breakdown also. These days most vehicles already have an entire system that works and manage the car's functions. This also gives you warning signs while driving if in circumstance something is not going well. With these signs, you will be notified before the time that there is something incorrect. Therefore, you will be capable to find a solution even before your car comes to a breakdown condition. If your car's on-board system is not operating well, then it would not be ready to inform you and will drive your car until it is inadequate to run.
Having a roadside emergency kit would also be the most useful way to be prepared for car breakdowns. Besides the spare tires and car jacks, you also require to have a roadside emergency kit which includes flashlights, tire sealer inflator, jumper cables, portable air compressor, some basic tools and the most important first aid kit.
It is a time that comes every year when many of us need to take our vehicles to a local garage for its annual service. People who own vehicles, know the significance of having a car serviced, it ensures the car operates at its best performance, makes it more reliable to drive and more effective to work therefore saving you money. When your car is properly maintained, it can deliver years of reliable service. Failures, breakdowns, and unexplained difficulties are considerably limited in today's vehicle. The reason is modern vehicles are perfectly managed, they are comparatively comfortable to operate a potential difficulty before it creates a major mechanical problem. In order to keep your car working at its best condition, it is important to follow a regular car service schedule. Also, you need to know what exactly happens during the car service. Whether you have your car examined at the dealership or a local garage, there are some particular items the technician will examine based on the model of the car you own.
Take a look at the parts that usually get checked throughout the car service:
Taking your car to the dealership or a local garage for a check-up or annual service costs money. Even if the technician doesn't find anything incorrect, you should expect a charge for labour. As a common rule, interim checks are less costly than full service as they are less exhaustive. The purpose of the regular service is to recognise potential problems in your vehicle. Finding these problems early could save you money and effort.
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