A survey has revealed that a shocking 41% of us believe that an annual MOT means our cars will be roadworthy for the next 12 months with no need for us to check them. Phil Seymour, approved garages network manager, said: "This figure is really shocking and very worrying. Car owners need to be educated on the difference between MOTs and and car servicing. It is so important that a car is serviced regularly and most cars need a service once a year. Not only does this keep the car roadworthy, but a car is less likely to develop a big expensive fault with regular maintenance." In addition to this, the survey revealed that almost 66.6% of people asked thought that if a car is under warranty, it had to be serviced at a main dealership. This is simply not true - see earlier blog posts on this point.
Simple checks regularly throughout the year and a car service once a year will keep your car in good condition and working at its best! Also you won't have to pay anything out for it to pass its MOT each year - all good points, so you guys have no excuses...
Saturday 6 September 2014
New MOT Rule - 6th September 2014
There has been a rule change concerning diesel cars. What used to happen was we would test the cars on the percentage of emissions coming from them and pass or fail them on that. However, we must now check if there is a diesel particulate filter installed and working. The reason for this change is because it has been proved that these filters can reduce emissions by about 80% and all new diesel cars have been fitted with them as standard for the past 5 years.
Sometimes these filters are missing from new cars, this is due to them getting clogged up and instead of cleaning them, some garages have simply removed them (even though it is illegal to do so). They get clogged up eventually - especially if many short journeys are undertaken, due to the filter not getting hot enough to burn off the particulates that build up over time.
You can clean the filters with products that cost around £30, and you can also have your car fitted with a particulate exhaust system cleaner for as little as £20. Unfortunately, if your car has already had the filter removed there is nothing you can do: you'll need to pay for it to be refitted. Sorry.
Sometimes these filters are missing from new cars, this is due to them getting clogged up and instead of cleaning them, some garages have simply removed them (even though it is illegal to do so). They get clogged up eventually - especially if many short journeys are undertaken, due to the filter not getting hot enough to burn off the particulates that build up over time.
You can clean the filters with products that cost around £30, and you can also have your car fitted with a particulate exhaust system cleaner for as little as £20. Unfortunately, if your car has already had the filter removed there is nothing you can do: you'll need to pay for it to be refitted. Sorry.
Halfords Relauch Car Parts Business Venture - 6th September 2014
The automotive retailer, Halfords, have relaunched it's car parts business with over 130,000 different products. The new venture has been branded as Car Parts Direct, this will allow customers to order any product online or in store and they aim to have parts delivered by next day or better - 66% of cases are hoped to be delivered within 90 minutes. The breadth and dept of parts available in the business venture means that Car Parts Direct can be used by garage trade customers, as well as capable DIY repairers, hobby mechanics and fans of specific vehicle marques.
Car Parts Direct manager Paul Tomlinson explained their reasons for the business venture - "The average age of cars on UK roads is at a thirty year high - which we anticipate will drive demand from owners of older vehicles for major replacement parts such as steering, suspension and clutch components - whilst cars around 3 years old sustain demand for consumable items like filters, spark plugs, brake pads and discs and alike."
This seems like a great service that's available to everyone!
Car Parts Direct manager Paul Tomlinson explained their reasons for the business venture - "The average age of cars on UK roads is at a thirty year high - which we anticipate will drive demand from owners of older vehicles for major replacement parts such as steering, suspension and clutch components - whilst cars around 3 years old sustain demand for consumable items like filters, spark plugs, brake pads and discs and alike."
This seems like a great service that's available to everyone!
Using the Correct Coolant! - 6th September 2014
A study conducted by the lubricants manufacturer, Comma, has revealed that 83% of us are unaware of the use of coolant in our engines, with a further 65% of us admitting that we wouldn't know which product to choose. This came about due to the fact that engine technologies nowadays require more and more from our coolant products, and with all of the different coolants on the market due to all of the different engine types. One size does not fit all with our new engines!
Coolant is needed in our engines due to the heat that the internal combustion engine throws out. A third of the power from the engine goes into making your car go, another third is transferred into heat and CO2, which goes out the exhaust... However the last third is transferred into heat only, and remains in the engine. Coolant is then used by the engine to absorb as much of the heat as possible, so it doesn't overheat. The wrong type of coolant might not be effective enough and so make your car overheat and drastically reduce it's service life.
Make sure you research which coolant is best for your vehicle before buying any, or even just ask your local dealer to point you in the right direction.
Coolant is needed in our engines due to the heat that the internal combustion engine throws out. A third of the power from the engine goes into making your car go, another third is transferred into heat and CO2, which goes out the exhaust... However the last third is transferred into heat only, and remains in the engine. Coolant is then used by the engine to absorb as much of the heat as possible, so it doesn't overheat. The wrong type of coolant might not be effective enough and so make your car overheat and drastically reduce it's service life.
Make sure you research which coolant is best for your vehicle before buying any, or even just ask your local dealer to point you in the right direction.
Top 3 MOT Test Fail Items - Tips for You
Year after year, so many people come in and fail their MOT on something very silly that can be easily avoided by following a few simple steps. Here are the top 3!
1. Headlamp Aim
The top fail item is simply 'Headlight aim incorrectly set'. If a headlight bulb has been replaced since your last MOT, there is a possibility that they have been put back in slightly the wrong place - too high or low. This means that when your headlights shine, they shine at odd angles and do not give out the full effect, meaning that you can't see effectively in the dark/fog.
You can avoid this by simply getting somebody else to sit in the car and operate the lamps, while you walk around the car, checking each lamp individually. It may help to do it in a garage.
2. Tyre Tread Depth
Another common failure is the tyre tread depth. Tyre tread helps the tyres grip the road effectively, if the tread depth isn't to the correct standard, it becomes easier for the tyres to skid on the surface. There is a very simple test to see if your tyre tread is up to scratch. Just get a 20p coin and place it in the grooves in the tyre, if the outer rim of the coin isn't visible, your tyre tread should be fine. However, if you are still unsure, most tyre outlets are happy to do a free check for you.
3. Windscreen Wipers
Windscreen wipers not clearing the windscreen effectively is another common failure, the easiest way to check this is to operate the wipers and washers. If the blades don't clear all of the water effectively, and possibly even leave smears over the the driver's side, this will result in a fail. Wiper blades do wear out over time and need replacing - they get damaged by grit and dirt, so they need replacing at regular intervals. Another issue is if there is no fluid in the washers, then this will also result in a fail.
As you can see, most failures are caused by silly little mistakes that can easily be avoided. So follow the directions above and you will save yourself a little bit of cash!
1. Headlamp Aim
The top fail item is simply 'Headlight aim incorrectly set'. If a headlight bulb has been replaced since your last MOT, there is a possibility that they have been put back in slightly the wrong place - too high or low. This means that when your headlights shine, they shine at odd angles and do not give out the full effect, meaning that you can't see effectively in the dark/fog.
You can avoid this by simply getting somebody else to sit in the car and operate the lamps, while you walk around the car, checking each lamp individually. It may help to do it in a garage.
2. Tyre Tread Depth
Another common failure is the tyre tread depth. Tyre tread helps the tyres grip the road effectively, if the tread depth isn't to the correct standard, it becomes easier for the tyres to skid on the surface. There is a very simple test to see if your tyre tread is up to scratch. Just get a 20p coin and place it in the grooves in the tyre, if the outer rim of the coin isn't visible, your tyre tread should be fine. However, if you are still unsure, most tyre outlets are happy to do a free check for you.
3. Windscreen Wipers
Windscreen wipers not clearing the windscreen effectively is another common failure, the easiest way to check this is to operate the wipers and washers. If the blades don't clear all of the water effectively, and possibly even leave smears over the the driver's side, this will result in a fail. Wiper blades do wear out over time and need replacing - they get damaged by grit and dirt, so they need replacing at regular intervals. Another issue is if there is no fluid in the washers, then this will also result in a fail.
As you can see, most failures are caused by silly little mistakes that can easily be avoided. So follow the directions above and you will save yourself a little bit of cash!
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