Car MOT testing verification and mobile mechanics Reading, UK today: Additionally, because they are working on your car in your chosen location, you can watch the repair process and ask questions, which can give you a better understanding of the work being performed on your vehicle. With a mobile mechanic, you can have confidence in the expertise and quality of the repair work, knowing that your vehicle is in the hands of a professional with the experience and skills to get the job done right. Looking for mobile mechanic Reading or other MOT verification services in the UK? Mobile mechanic services are often cheaper than their workshop counterparts! Due to not having large overheads that are common with workshop, mobile mechanics can often pass these savings on to you when you have your vehicle serviced or repaired by them.
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!
Inspect and maintain your tires: Engine maintenance is the key to a healthy vehicle, but don’t forget about the only part of your car that touches the road, your tires. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tire pressure and treadwear impacts everything from your vehicle’s handling to your gas mileage. Look at your owner’s manual to find the correct pressure for your tires. (The number displayed on the tires may not be accurate.) By keeping your tires properly inflated you can maximize your gas mileage. The U.S. Dept. of Energy found that maintaining the correct tire pressure can improve your gas mileage by up to 3%. Also, to avoid potential flat tires and blowouts, it’s recommended that you rotate your tires regularly.
Listen out for any excessive noise or rattling when your vehicle is running. This may suggest a problem with the exhaust system, which could result in a failed MOT. Another easy check is to see whether there’s smoke coming from the exhaust. This is normal on startup for diesel engines, but excessive smoke may indicate a problem. Similarly, if there’s fuel or oil leaking from the exhaust, there’s likely a problem further up the line – possibly with the spark plugs or glow plugs not warming/burning fuel properly.
Keep up with oil changes. When oil levels are low, or oil is old, added friction between moving parts can cause wear and tear to the engine. Follow your owner’s manual to determine the best intervals for changing oil. Check the brakes every time the oil is changed. Take care of your tires. Check and maintain proper tire pressure. Tires inflated within five pounds per square inch (PSI) of their recommended level improve gas mileage and general handling of your vehicle. Recommended PSI can be found in the owner’s manual. Rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
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.
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. Check all the seatbelts latch and fasten securely, and lock when you give them a sharp tug. Windscreen: any damage wider than 10mm in the driver’s central view will cause an MOT fail, as will any damage larger than 40mm in the whole of the swept area.
During a service the technician will carry out a health check of your vehicle, which will include checking the condition of the brakes, suspension, tyres and other crucial parts. That will ensure they are in working order, identify any potential problems and allow the technician to recommend how to fix problems before they get too serious. Finally, it’s also the perfect opportunity to mention any annoying issues you’ve noticed. The technician will be able to investigate and possibly fix them while the car is up on a ramp. The cost of a service depends on numerous factors, including whether you’ve booked a full or interim check-up, where you choose to have your car checked and, in some cases, where in the UK you live. Read more information on www.mot-centre.com.
If your car is in need of repairs, it can be frustrating. Being without a car can make you feel like a child again. Having to catch buses, or pay for taxis is no fun. Our expert mechanics have the experience and knowledge to carry out all repairs speedily and effectively. Tilehurst Service & MOT Centre offers a complete range of repairs, from removing scratches and dents in bodywork, to complete engine replacements. We’ll give you an accurate quote and let you know how long it will take, at the very start. It’s car repair perfection.
Although they might not seem as important as tire rotation or oil change, replacing the windshield wipers is also important. If you’re caught in a storm and your windshield wipers don’t work properly, you could put everyone around you in danger. Windshield wipers are not only affordable, but they’re also easy to change on your own. You can get them in all auto parts stores, and the instructions are on the back of the package. Of course, if you doubt your skills, you can always ask an auto parts store employee to change them for you. While you’re there, don’t forget to check your wiper fluid levels.
An MOT might also be included in the cost of a full service for your car. While servicing your car regularly is a good idea, a service, even if it includes an MOT, is likely to be more expensive than an MOT on it’s own. Nearly two in five MOT tests fail first time. Yet often this is because of minor faults the owner could easily have fixed themselves before they paid for a test. 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.