Auto MOT inspection verification and mobile mechanic Reading, UK right now: An MOT involves dozens of checks on your car, ranging from the brakes and fuel system to lights, mirrors, seatbelts, windscreen wipers and exhaust system. You can also get an MOT done at a local council test centre. These test centres don’t normally carry out repairs as well as MOTs. It doesn’t cover the condition of the engine, clutch and gearbox. To find your nearest authorised MOT test centre, visit these websites. How long does an MOT take? An average MOT test takes between 45 and 60 minutes, but there are a couple of other things to take into consideration. Searching for Mot Reading or other MOT services services? Your tyres should be properly inflated (check your vehicle handbook for the correct tyre pressures or use our tyre pressure checker) and have at least 1.6mm of tread around the whole tyre. A good way to check your tread depth is the 20p test. Any unusual wear could highlight a problem so bring your car down to your nearest www.mot-centre.com centre or a free tyre check. Tyre problems are the biggest cause of all MOT failures so it is especially important to check these in advance!
How much can skipping oil changes affect your budget? Oh, plenty. Oil problems can be some of the costliest car maintenance issues to fix, since oil affects pretty much everything your car does. So don’t skip it. Getting your oil (and filter) changed costs around $35–75.1 For the price of a family dinner at a higher-end fast food joint, you’ll lower the risk of wearing out your engine—which costs a lot more than burgers and fries to replace.
IHS Automotive reports that Americans are keeping their cars and light trucks for longer than previously reported – an average of 11.5 years – an increase attributed to both improved vehicle reliability and economic factors. With 84 percent of vehicles on the road in need of a service or new part, YourMechanic surveyed hundreds of mechanics from more than 30 states to compile the top five tips car owners can follow as a guide to help extend the life of their vehicle.
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.”
When you come to sell the car, having a full service history will make it more appealing and boost its second-hand value, and if your car is written off, an insurer is likely to pay out more for a car with a full service history. Don’t forget to take your car’s service booklet (often found in the same pouch as the handbook) to the garage or dealership, so they can stamp and date when the service was carried out. A growing number of cars come with no service record or handbook, but the servicing agent should be able to log into the car maker’s online portal and add in information about the service that has been done. See even more information at 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.
Keeping your tires in good shape is essential for your safety and of others on the road. With only a few tire maintenance tips, you can prolong the life of your tires and ensure your safety on the road. The first thing you can do is to check the tire pressure. This is something that you can do yourself without a mechanic. You will find the correct tire pressure for your car either in the owner’s manual or the tire placard located on the doorjamb. Experts also recommend getting your tires rotated every 6,000 or 8,000 miles. You can get your tires rotated when you take your car in for oil changes. A mechanic can also inspect the alignment of your tires.
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 at Tyre Safe. The windscreen; Any cracks and chips will be examined alongside visibility for the driver.