Car MOT checks in Reading near me: Pre-MOT checks you can do yourself – A vehicle can fail an MOT test for a number of reasons, a wide range of tests are carried out across all areas of the vehicle and it only has to fail in one of these areas to fail the whole MOT. It’s a good idea to prepare a checklist a few weeks before your MOT to make sure that your car is in the best possible condition by the time it is inspected. Many of the most common reasons for MOT testing failure are areas that can easily be checked at home. So, by assessing these in advance, you can fix any issues and increase the chance of passing your MOT.
Searching for Mot near me in Reading area? Once a car is three years old (four years in Northern Ireland) it must be tested each year to check it meets road safety and environmental standards. This Ministry of Transport test is commonly known as an ‘MOT’. MOT tests are carried out at authorised test centres around the country, all of which display an official blue sign featuring three white triangles. The body and vehicle structure; The MOT test specifies areas of your car that must be free of excessive corrosion or damage. Any sharp edges on your vehicle that could cause injury will be examined.
Headlights and indicators: front, rear, headlights (main beam and dipped), hazard lights and indicators. If any aren’t working, first check for broken bulbs and replace them. Brake lights: ask another person to check the rear brake lights come on when you press the brake pedal. Tyres: check all the tyres have at least the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm, or they’ll be marked as an MOT ‘fail’. This can easily be done with a 20p coin – see the diagram on the Tyre Safe website. Check for any damage such as splits in the tread, bulges or cuts in the sidewalls. Also check the tyre pressure is correct – the car’s manual will list the right pressure and they might also be on the sidewall of the tyre itself – and increase it at a petrol station if necessary.
Check the fluids: There are several fluids that should be kept at the appropriate levels to help keep your car running properly. According to Popular Mechanics, you or your mechanic should check: Engine oil; Coolant; Power steering fluid; Brake fluid; Transmission fluid. A leak with any of these fluids can affect the way your car drives. If you spot a leak, you may be able to identify the fluid by its color. This can help you and your mechanic determine where the leak is coming from. It can also help speed up the repair process.
Car Servicing Tilehurst from the car service centre at fantastic rates cheap car servicing is available on all makes and models of vehicles at half the main dealor rates we use all manafactor recomendation parts to avoid invalidating your 3 year warrenty at all times and we Will give you 12 moths warrenty om labour and parts on all our work we carry out on our customers vehicles. This is a 25 point Check List starting with replacing your engine oil and oil filter and we check all your under bonnet oil levels such as screen wash coolant level power steering fluid brake fluid and recommend when it requires replacing and a overall visual Check of your vehicle.
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.
A 24 month major service suitable for average mileage vehicles covering 12000 miles per year. or at 24000 mile intervals for high mileage users The schedule is more comprehensive than most main dealer service schedules. The service includes oil and oil filter, air filter, pollen filter, fuel filter and spark plug changes. All tops ups to the engine bay area are included. It is a comprehensive service with all wheels removed and brakes inspected, cleaned and adjusted. A Free diagnostic scan, vehicle health check and test drive by a qualified technician are all included. Find additional info on www.mot-centre.com.
Take care of tire pressure: The tire pressure of the car not only affects the mileage, but it is also the cause of accidents at times. Always check the tire pressure whenever you have to take the car somewhere. These days the feature of tire pressure monitoring has also started coming in many modern vehicles. Tire air can also be checked and filled for free at many petrol pumps.
As well as using the correct lettering style and spacing, your number plates need to be clean and easy to read from a distance. Modified number plates, damaged number plates or otherwise illegal plates will fail the MoT. If you own a diesel car fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could be given a Major defect and automatically fail the MoT test if it emits “visible smoke of any colour” during metered checks. Testers will also inspect DPFs closely for signs of removal or tampering, awarding a Major defect and failing the car if foul play is detected. Testers must refuse to test any car where the “DPF canister has clearly been cut open and re-welded” unless the owner “can show evidence that there was a valid reason to cut it open, such as for filter cleaning.”
Inquire about pricing and labor rates. Before you surrender your keys to the service department, be sure to determine the labor rate. Shops typically post the rate in a conspicuous place, so be observant and ask questions if you’re confused. Make sure you understand the way in which you will be billed for an auto repair. Many shops bill according to estimated repair times established by the manufacturer. A repair that the service tech deems “minor” could indeed be an all-day job according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
in Reading by Carservice-Centre? 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.
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.
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.