Car MOT testing checks and mobile mechanic Reading right now: This makes them impartial when inspecting your car – there’s no commercial incentive to find problems with it. For a list of local council MOT test centres that don’t carry our repairs, visit the website. 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 around 21,000 authorised test centres around the country, all of which display an official blue sign featuring three white triangles. Searching for Mot And Service Reading or other MOT services services? If the car pulls to one side when you apply the brakes, this suggests a problem that requires further attention before you take your MOT. If you have alloy wheels, it may be possible to carry out a visual inspection of the braking system without removing the wheel. Check for excessive wear of brake pads or pitted brake discs as this could be an indication that your brakes need replacing. You should also test your handbrake – this needs to be strong enough to hold your car stationary so be sure to test this, especially on an incline. If you’re not sure, why not pop into www.mot-centre.com for a free brake check ahead of your MOT.
If you are planning on washing your car, it’s important to pick the right soap, according to Consumer Reports. Laundry detergent, dish soap or hand soap are abrasive and may strip off the protective wax. It’s best to use a car soap that’s specifically designed to be used on automotive paint. It may be tempting to ignore the warning light for a day or two when your car’s fluids are low. However, according to Popular Mechanics, low fluid levels can negatively impact your car’s performance, fuel economy and longevity. It’s recommended to check your fluids, as well as top them off at every oil change. Also, as Car Advice points out, your fluids may need to be flushed and replaced periodically, since they can break down and lose potency over time. Remember to always follow the recommendations in your owner’s manual to ensure you’re adding the correct fluids and amount.
Many people don’t realize that your battery’s health is not only affected by winter, but by summer too. Heat can cause malfunction of the battery or its failure to operate properly. So watch out for telltale signs of your battery’s declining health over the summer months. This may include : Slower cranking of the engine than usual while starting the car; Dimmed headlights or internal lights; The “check battery” light on the dashboard is lit up. You should make sure the battery is in tip-top condition so as not to be surprised by a sudden and unwanted breakdown.
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.
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.”
Whatever age your car is, regular servicing is the only way to make sure it stays in tip-top condition. We look at the costs and benefits… Most modern cars will remind you with a warning light or message when it’s time for a service. When you see this, it’s nothing to be worried about – it’s just letting you know the vehicle is due for its regular check-up. Why is it important to service my car, and how much will it cost? Having your car serviced can seem like a financial burden, but there are a few key reasons why it’s important to make sure you do it. Firstly, it makes sure your car is in good working order; the technicians working on it will inspect many of the mechanical and electric parts to make sure they’re functioning as they should. Having your car serviced regularly will extend its life and help it to retain more of its value. Find even more details on http://www.mot-centre.com/.
An MOT is a legal requirement after three years. Without it your insurance is invalidated, and you could be fined. There’s another important aspect to the MOT. It proves that your car is roadworthy, and safe to drive. Vehicles have a lot of stresses put upon them. As they age the chances of parts wearing or failing increase. An MOT test can help to spot problems before they occur. Call Tilehurst Service & MOT Centre today. We perform fair and thorough MOTs for all cars and motorbikes.
Most car owners underestimate how important car battery maintenance is. Although your battery will run out of juice eventually, keeping up with it will extend the life. If you want your car battery to run smoothly, you need to make sure it has a good connection. Residue can build up and prevent your tire from starting. You can get battery-cleaning fluid at most auto parts stores. Removing the battery and cleaning the connections will extend the life and improve the connection.
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. The bonnet; The latch on your bonnet will be tested to ensure it securely latches in the closed position.