If you have various mechanical jobs that need doing on your vehicle and all of them are quite small, then rather than booking one job in at a time, you should try and get them all done together.

Not only will this save you time as you may find that they only need the car one day to complete them all, but you may find that the labour cost is reduced. This is because part of the time a garage will charge for is getting the vehicle up on ramps, test driving it, removing covers and wheels etc. If the little jobs require this to be done then and you book them in at separate times then you may be paying for this part of the repair over and over again. Often it is easier to complete other jobs at the same time as another as you are already able to access many parts of the vehicle.

If a job needs doing and it is urgent or making the vehicle unsafe to drive then you should not wait for other little jobs to come up until you book it in. In this instance ask the garage to have a look over the car whilst they have it and advise on anything else they may think needs ding, and possible get that done at the same time.

When it comes to buying a new or used car you need to test drive it. It is very important to test drive a used car as you need to check that it drives ok and you cannot hear any bad noises or bangs. If you are looking to order a brand new car, then you will not be able to test drive it as you have to place your order and purchase it before the order is placed at the factory, but you should be able to test drive the same model but a used version.

Most garages will have insurance that will cover you to drive any vehicle on a test drive.

If you have your eye on a few different cars, then do not be afraid to ask if you can drive all of them.

If you are looking at a second hand car from a private buyer then they may be reluctant to allow you to drive it. If possible, check that your insurance covers you and then ask if they can either let you drive it just a short distance, or if they would take it out with you as a passenger. A car may look and feel great but sometimes it is only when you drive it that you realise it is not what you are looking for.

Owning and running a car can often be a bit of a worry. You may have been driving the car for months with no issues, suddenly to find you are broken down stranded on the side of the road.

Many of us own a car but not all of us have breakdown cover to help us out in difficult situations. You may have been given breakdown cover as part of your car insurance package or you may evene get it as a perk from your bank account, but you need to check the level of cover it gives you.

Think about how often you use your car and when and where you go. If for example you only drive short distances and could be without your car for a few days then you may decide that you don’t need break down cover or the very basic package will be enough for you. If you sometimes drive longer distances, have children in the car or have little money to be able to fork out hundreds in recovery costs, then breakdown cover with recovery to any UK destination will probably be the best for you. The cheapest breakdown packages usually only offer recovery to a local garage within 10 miles of your location when you break down, if you are a 50 miles away from home, this may mean you have to pay for recovery again to your home or you have no choice but to use the garage that your vehicle was recovered too.

If you want to buy a van rather than a car then there is probably a specific reason for doing this. For example, you may need a van for work purposes to carry tools and materials, and the amount you carry, or the weight will help you decide what sized van you need.

You need to consider the size of the items you will be carrying and the overall weight that will be in the vehicle at one time and many are restricted and if you ignore this then you may risk breaking the law and / or damaging the van.

If you need a van for your hobby, so to transport model aeroplanes or drones or if you are a courier where you will be needing to use your own vehicle to deliver small parcels then you may look to car derived van such as an Astra van. If you need the more height in the back or a side loading door then you may need to go for something like a Ford Transit Connect or even a Ford Transit Van.

If you are going to be driving long distances, then you should consider how old the van is and what the mileage is also what the fuel economical is like. Diesel vans often give you more miles to the gallon on a good run but do usually cost more to buy to start with. It is worth asking a mechanic to look over a vehicle you are considering buying or getting a used van check which is offered by companies such as the AA.

If you have a car that is fairly old or has high mileage you may start to notice that a number of issues start to arise. Over time many parts on a car become worn out and will need to be replaced. One of these parts is a started motor. As the starter motor is often hidden in the depths of the mechanics of the vehicle, the most common way to detect a sign of starter motor failure is through sound.

There are a number of things that can go wrong with a started motor such as a loose connection or a defective solenoid. Some of these issues can be repaired others will require you to fit a new starter motor.

The sound your car makes when first trying to start it up can often indicate what the problem is. It may make a clicking, whirring or grinding sound for example which all point to different components of the starter motor. If you notice any of these issues it is important to take the vehicle into a garage as soon as possible for them to look at it. If you continue to drive it the motor will likely stop working altogether and you will have to then get the car recovered, which if you don’t have adequate breakdown cover, will be costly.

Running a car can work out to be very expensive and this is after the initial purchase price. When working out if you can afford to run a car you need to take many things into consideration. There is the daily cost of fuel as well as yearly MOT’s, services and any repairs that may need doing. You may also want to take out breakdown cover and possibly even a warranty. If you buy a car that costs less than a thousand pounds, you can easily spend the same again in repairs in the first year just keeping the car on the road.

Motor insurance is often a huge expense for many people, even if you pay it monthly. Some new drivers can expect to pay in excess of £1500 a year for their insurance. Shopping around to get the best price really does save you money. When it comes to renewing your insurance, again shop around as you can knock hundreds off your renewal price by going with a different company. You may notice that by increasing the excess you would have to pay should you need to make a claim you can sometimes bring the premium down, but you should ensure that you can afford the excess if you need to claim.   

Driving economically will conserve fuel and mean you get more miles to the gallon. Many newer cars have an eco-gauge on them to show you when you are driving efficiently and when you are not.

Most drivers are aware that seasonal conditions are responsible for having to adapt their driving styles and most people presume this is merely for wintery conditions however this is not the case.

Driving in the summer months particularly in hot weather, temperatures over about 23 degrees can cause an increase in stopping distance for your car. This is due to issues with adhesion to the road surface in a similar way to if the road has lots of rain on it or ice. As the road surface and tyres heat up the surface becomes softer also giving the road a more spongy quality.

A sign that this is causing issues would be if you see your traction control light coming on or if you feel the car juddering or slipping as you corner particularly.

The most effective way to deal with this like with difficult winter road conditions is to slow down to allow an improvement in stopping distance and ensure that your tyres are in a good condition and suitable for the car, the load and the conditions.

If you are at all unsure always get your tyres checked at a reputable garage or tyre and wheel centre.

Having a car accident can be an awful experience and one which no one ever wants to go through. Even if no one was injured during the car accident, the effect it can have can last weeks if not months afterwards and many people struggle logistically with managing without a vehicle in the days and weeks following the accident.  Many people rely on their car to get them to and from work or do the school run or even do the weekly shop.  Finding yourself without a car can cause a lot of problems and mean you have to rely on public transport which can not only be costly but sometimes unreliable.

Some insurance companies will offer you a courtesy car but often this is a group A insurance car which is a small car such as a Nissan Micra or Vauxhall Corsa. If you need a bigger car then you may be able to pay for an upgrade otherwise you will need to look at hiring a vehicle. If your car is deemed to be a write off by the insurance company then usually the courtesy car is needed back the same or the following day leaving you very little time to source a new one.

Dash cams have been out for a number of years now, but recently they have grown hugely in popularity with motorists looking to have that extra bit of security and peace of mind should the worse happen. Dash cams allow for easy installation in to the front or rear (or both) of their vehicle to allow them to record footage that may prove vital in an accident or near miss. Dash cam footage can often be used in court to show the person responsible for causing the accident.

It can also help as a deterrent for anyone who is thinking of trying to take your car or the contents within it. Not only can dash cams help in this way but some cams can help to lower your car insurance costs.

There are always scams that come about on the roads and one that has been prevalent over the last few years is “crash for cash”. This is where a driver pulls in front of another vehicle and purposely slams their brakes on causing the other person to crash in to the back of them. As the driver behind, you automatically become the at fault driver. This usually results in your insurance company having to fork out for damage and possibly personal injury claims along with your premium going up. Dash cams can record that all important footage that can not only allow you to prove the accident wasn’t your fault but to be used in court to prosecute the offender.

Cars can be costly to run and repair and it is important that you stay on top of any repairs in order to ensure the car is safe to drive and to avoid further damage if repairs are not completed.
A common issue with cars is suspension, this is partly due to general wear and tear but can also be due to hitting pot holes etc.
Most people can tell their shocks or struts are wearing out when they begin to feel every bump in the road. If your car feels quite bouncy especially when going over dips and lumps in the road the chances are you may need the shock absorbers looking at.
If your car feels like its drift or pulling when you are turning a corner then you probably have an issue with your suspension. If left, this can be dangerous so it is important to get this looked at as soon as possible.
If you notice bald spots or uneven wearing on your tyres then you may have an issue with the suspension that is causing the car to put uneven amounts of pressure on the different wheels. This should be rectified before fitting new tyres otherwise the new tyres will be damaged as well.

Some drivers have a wheel alignment done every time they have a new set of tyres fitted or every 6 – 12 months, whereas others may not have one done until they start to notice something wrong. So how can you tell if your car needs a wheel alignment? Often there are some subtle differences that you will notice when driving that can give it away. If you notice that the car tends to drift slightly to one side when driving down a straight road or that your steering wheel is not straight when your wheels are, then you need to get your car booked in for a wheel alignment.

Wheels can become out of line for a number of reasons. It can just happen over time or it may have been caused by hitting a pothole or mounting a pavement.

If your wheels are out of alignment you will often notice that your tyres wear unevenly and that you need to replace them more often. The cost of a wheel alignment varies from garage to garage and make and model of vehicle but often costs around £30-£40 for a standard 2 wheel alignment. This is a small price to pay to ensure your car is driving at its best and that you are maintaining your tyres.

Over the past few days we have had some very welcomed sunny and warmer weather but this is not set to last and many of us may experience snow or ice over the next month. There are times when you may find yourself in a situation where you have to drive in these sorts of conditions and there are a few tips below that may just help you out:

Planning ahead is often the best way to ensure you are prepared. You should always make sure that you have de-icer, scrapper and working heaters in your car before setting out.

Making sure that your phone is always charged and ideally you have a charger or power bank with you when driving in all conditions but especially in the colder months is essential. If you happen to breakdown or have an accident you need to be able to get help quickly.

Check that your tires are not only well within the legal limits (all round) but also have the adequate amount of pressure in and do not have any damage.

Certain makes and models of cars handle better in the wet / ice than others. If you drive a rear wheel car you may find that it does not feel like it is handling as well as you may expect it to.

With the bad weather hitting most of the UK this week, we as drivers must take responsibility for our tyres. It is important that we not only heck if they are legal but have plenty of tread left. The legal limit for tyres is 1.6 mm of tread depth but most garages recommend you change them at about 2.8-2.5mm as after this it starts to affect stopping distances. In the snow, ice or rain stopping distances are longer so with bad tyres you may struggle to stop on time. New tyres come with about 8mm of tread on them so should last a good while (depending on how many miles you do).
The other thing to check for is damage to the tyre. It may be that you have plenty of tread but if you have a puncture or bulge then you need to get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
The other thing to look out for on tyres is perishing. If you do very few miles a year then your tyres may not wear down enough tread to be changed for years. But overtime the rubber will start to perish and split / crack. This can cause blow outs and it is advisable to replace any tyres with this type of damage.

If you have just bought a second hand car or if you have had your car for a while but little work done on it then it could be a great time to have a safety check done. Many of the larger garages will do a free safety check but be prepared for them to point out every little thing that may need doing on your vehicle. If you have recently noticed that your car doesn’t seem to be driving right then you should get it booked in to a garage as soon as possible to have a once over.

There are some simple safety checks that you can do on a daily or weekly basis to keep on top of maintenance of your car. Tyres play an integral part of safety. Under or over inflated tyres can cause you to not have proper grip on the roads, damaged or perished tyres are often the cause of blow outs and tyres with little or no tread can easily cause a vehicle to lose control.

Brakes – the brakes are another very important part of the safety of the vehicle. You should test your brakes every time you get in to the car and before you pick up too much speed to check that they are responding. Any issues with brakes should be checked by a mechanic immediately.

If you are starting to experience issues such as your lights are not as bright as they used to be or you have a battery and stop light illuminate on your vehicle or the car stalls or has difficulty starting then you may be a sign that your alternator is on its way out. If the vehicle has difficulty starting after the battery is fully charged, the problem likely is with the alternator. You may even have an alternator light on your vehicle which will illuminate when there is a problem.

There are some easy tests that can be done to test it the alternator is in fact charging the battery enough. If your alternator dies then your car will not be able to charge the battery enough for it to start or to keep running.

There are risks of fire etc with alternator problems so it is important to get it checked out as soon as you notice any issues.

The cost of replacing an alternator varies from garage to garage and from make and model of vehicle. On average you can expect to pay £250 plus to get the repair done at an independent garage.

Unfortunately many people get nervous when taking their car in to a garage to have repair work done. Unless you have a back ground in mechanics, you may have little knowledge of how your car works and all the components that are needed to ensure safe and smooth driving.

If you have to take your vehicle in for a problem that needs investigating, you may worry that you are going to get ripped off and told you need more work doing to the vehicle than you actually do.

The only way to do this is to try and find a reputable garage. A garage that values its customer’s opinions and is trustworthy will not want to jeopardise their reputation to make a few extra quid.

Speak to friends and family members to find out their experiences of local garages that you may be able to use. If you know anyone within the car industry you may be able to ask them for their advice.

If you are uneasy about repair work that you have been quoted for, do not be afraid to take your vehicle elsewhere for a second or third opinion. Most garages will not have an issue with this unless they have something to hide.

Unfortunately many people do not realise how important it is to have your vehicle serviced on time. Some people are surprised when their vehicle keeps developing problems, and often much of this is to do with not maintaining it correctly.

When you own a car there are certain maintenance that should be done on it in in order to keep it running as it should. Even with regular services there are no guarantees that it will not develop a problem but you are decreasing the risk of certain things going wrong.

At a service the car is given a good check over and depending on what level of service you have, some components such as spark plugs will often be changed. A service will not only replace parts that may be wearing out but will also cover oil changes etc that may also improve the performance and economy of the vehicle. The cost of serving can vary on make and model of the vehicle, place that carries out the service and what type of service you have done.

If you have your car serviced at a main dealer you will often pay between £200-£400. At an independent garage you may be able to get a similar service for under £200. If your car is under warranty you will often need to ensure that genuine parts are used in the service.

People all over England are complaining about the state of the roads, following a harsh winter, many of our roads simply could not take it and have either started to slip away down the side banks or from rather larger pot holes.

Pot holes can be a nightmare for drivers and can seriously damage your cars wheels, tires and suspension. If you hit a pot hole at the wrong angle or are going too fast you could not only damage your vehicle but also lose control of the car.

Many councils are working as fast as they can to fix these issues but in the meantime there are thing you can do to try and avoid them. When driving along a road that has a lot of pot holes, drop your speed a little bit. Ten miles per hour can make a massive difference to the damage a pothole will cause. If you see one try and avoid it but also be aware of other traffic around you. Check that there is no oncoming traffic and also that no one is over taking you. This is especially true to cyclists who can very easily be missed by drivers swerving for potholes.

If you cannot avoid hitting it then go as slow as you possible can over it and if you think it may have caused any damage, stop and check as soon as it is safe to do so.

For most people who aren’t necessarily car savvy it can be quite a daunting prospect to take your car into a garage alone for fear of being bamboozled into buying something that you don’t need or being over charged for work done to your vehicle. For services and routine work you may be able to sort someone to go with you but if you have something unexpected like a puncture you may need to go to a garage (basically whichever is nearby at the time). The key things to remember are that if the garage can repair the tyre its likely to cost around £20 this is generally if it’s a minor puncture maybe caused by driving over a screw or similar object causing a small hole. However if the puncture is caused by an impact trauma such as hitting a pot hole you may need a whole new tyre and also the wheels would need to be balanced this is obviously more expensive dependant on what type of tyre you go for. The issue with the latter incident is that if something has impacted the tyre enough to burst it, it can also cause other areas of the car a lot of damage such as a bending the axel and that can be very expensive and sometimes can in fact be a write-off. If in doubt never be afraid of asking for a second opinion.

If you have a vehicle that is no longer under warranty then you may want to try and cut down on serving costs year after year. A service is vital for a vehicle and often prevents some problems from occurring. It may also highlight issues that need attention such as replacement of brake discs or pads etc.

Most cars have standard services and then have full services that are often done every other year. If you own a petrol car then the full service may include changing the spark plugs. Spark plugs are relatively easy to change and often can be bought for a fraction of the cost the garage will charge you. If you feel able to do so, then try and compare prices of spark plugs – buy them and fit them yourself. When you go to book your car in for a service then advise the garage that the spark plugs have just been changed so will not need to be done. You may find that this knocks £50 plus off the cost of the service.  When buying any parts yourself be sure to check the fitment details and if there is a returns policy should you discover that you have bought the wrong thing.

Wheel alignment also called tracking should be done at least every few years, although some people opt to do it more frequently. Many garages have different equipment that is used to align the wheels and some only offer front wheel alignment so it is important you check prior to booking the car in.

If you notice that your car is pulling to one side, you have a vibration in the wheel or that you tyres are wearing unevenly then the chances are your tracking is out. A wheel alignment of the front two wheels is often in the region of £30 which is a small price to pay for something that could end up costing you a lot more if left. Driving a car that is not aligned correctly can affect your steering and can cause uneven tyre wear meaning a tyre will need to be replaced sooner than it should have been. It can also effect fuel efficiency and can making driving more dangerous if left.

Some garages will even offer you a refund should they wheels not need aligning. Be sure to shop around for the best price and to find out what is included as many garages will charge a small fee for checking the alignment but then a lot more to rectify it if it is out.

If you have a tyre fitting business then you will most likely already be aware of the level of competition out there for customers. There are a number of dedicated tyre fitting companies but then also usual car garages will also be able to supply and fit tyres meaning the customer has a huge choice of where to go.

The majority of customers who purchase the tyres will be mainly focused on the price. IF they can get the same deal further down the road then they will so you need to ensure that you can be competitive on the price. If you find that you are struggling to price match with some of the larger companies who buy in bulk, then you need to ensure that the customers that come to you are getting some added value for their money. This may be a collection and drop off service, tyre fitting at home or MOT discount voucher. You will also need to ensure that your customer service is second to none as you need to give your customers a reason to use you even if you are a little more expensive.

Your brakes are a vital component to the safety of the vehicle and should never be overlooked. Brake pads and discs are inspected during a Mot but this does not mean to say that they will not need replacing between MOT’s

Brake pads will need replacing more often than your discs usually and depending on the way in which you drive, brake pads usually last between 25,000 and 70,000 miles (an average of 50,000). The brake discs or brake rotors as they are sometimes called will usually last about 60,000- 70,000 miles. The constant friction caused by the pads rubbing on the discs can cause a lot of heat, if you then drive through a big puddle and a lot of water is splashed on them this can cause them to warp over.

When changing your brake pads, always check your discs thoroughly to ensure that they are in good condition. If they are verging on needing to be changed then it may be worthwhile getting them done at the same time to cut down on labour costs. Always check the discs for corrosion or indented surfaces as this too can cause issues when it comes to the braking system.

Tyres have 5 different reading son them, for example it may be 195/55/15 95V. To understand what tyre you need for your vehicle, you need to understand what this reading means. The first number is the width of the tyre, the second id the profile which is a percentage of the width and the third is the wheel size in inches. The final two are the load it can handle and the speed rating. The load and speed rating may vary but you need to take special care that the tyres you chose are the correct in width, profile and wheel size. Some vehicles have more than one tyre size that will be suitable for it and some even require different sized wheels on the front that the ones that are on the back.

When choosing new tyres ensure that the tyres you have on the same axle match. When looking for quotes for tyres, you can usually give the garage your reg number and they will tell you what size you need. The easiest way to check is to look on one of the existing tyres. If the wheels have been changed from the manufacturers standard then you may need to notify the garage of this.

If you are considering getting a new car then you may want to take advantage of some of the current scrappage schemes that the car manufacturers have on offer. The government are trying to remove the number of old cars (especially the ones that give off high emissions) on the road and so have been able to allow car dealerships to offer substantial savings on a new car by giving people in excess of two thousand pounds for their part exchange.

You can get deals like this at any manufactures which often means you get substantially more for your vehicle than if you sold it privately. Another plus point of this scheme is that you don’t have to go through the hassle of trying to sell your car privately and often the dealerships are not concerned about the condition of the vehicle as it will either be sent to auction or scrapped.

If you think you can get a similar amount for your car privately then you may wish to speak to the sales team at the garage and ask them what other discounts they could give you if you don’t exchange your car.