We will replace the oil filter, engine oil, pollen filter, sump nut washer, air filter & fuel filter or spark plugs (depending on if it's diesel or petrol), we will give the vehicle a full inspection, taking the wheels off, inspect, clean & adjust brakes. We will grease all hinges, checking all bulbs, wiper blades and top up levels if required. A Full Service usually lasts around 2 hours.

If you want to avoid sticking to your leather seats in a long hot traffic jam this summer, and demist your windows at the flick of a switch in winter, you'll need to understand how to effectively maintain your car's air conditioning system. Car air conditioning works like your fridge at home, cooling the air with a refrigerant gas and then circulating it through your car. It's tempting on hot days to open the windows for an extra blast of cold air, but if your windows are open while your air con is on, you're wasting fuel by pumping cooled air into the outside.

Recharge regularly, as with oil and other liquids in your vehicle, the coolant used by the air con system needs to be regularly topped up (known as a recharge or re-gas). If the level gets too low, the coolant has to be drained and replenished. Most manufacturers recommend a recharge every two years, but check your vehicle's handbook for details for your car.

We can recharge your air con and will check for leaks as part of the service. They'll also lubricate all the moving parts to extend the longevity of the system. Dust and liquid build up in the air conditioning system over time, creating a breeding ground for bacteria which can eventually start to smell. As well as keeping the inside of your car dirt and dust-free with regular cleaning and vacuuming, you should also replace the pollen filter too.

As with any mechanical item, it is important that you take care of it in order to optimise its lifespan and maintain its value. Here are a few tips to help you on your way.

Regular servicing, make sure your car is serviced regularly in accordance with the manufacturer's schedule.

Tyre pressure and alignment, one of the biggest influencing factors of fuel economy is the condition of your tyres, keep them correctly inflated at all times.

Cambelt replacement, make sure you always replace your cambelt in alignment with the manufacturer's recommendations. Failure to do this can cause catastrophic damage to your vehicle.

Keep your bodywork clean, remove bird droppings & dirt from your paint work as soon as they appear, the acid in these can erode the paint and leave the metal exposed which may start to rust.

Keep your windscreen clear and chip free, windscreen wipers are made of rubber which will eventually perish. Without them your view of the road can be impaired. All windscreen chips should be treated straight away before they turn into a cracked windscreen which needs replacing.

Check your lights regularly and keep a spare set of bulbs in the boot just in case of emergencies.

Before a long car journey it is always advisable to check the following:

Tyre pressure and tread including the spare tyre
Oil level
Coolant level
Power steering fluid level
Windscreen washer fluid level
Your breakdown cover
Pack some food, drink and some additional clothes in case you break down or are stuck in traffic
If travelling abroad make sure your carrying the correct equipment as legal requirements differ in Europe.

Have a fun and safe journey!

Servicing your car according to its needs will significantly extend the life of your vehicle and reduce the chance of any unexpected repair bills or potential breakdowns from occurring.

Every car has different manufacturer recommendations, so to find out what needs replacing and when on your vehicle, give us a call or check in your manufacturers handbook for recommended service intervals. Service intervals are usually stated as in miles or years whichever the sooner.

Firstly, establish your vehicle's tyre size. You can find this on the wall of your tyre. Once you know the right tyre size for your vehicle, you'll need to think about the quality of tyre that will best suit your needs. Generally speaking a better quality tyre will last more miles and give you a better driving experience.

Premium tyres
Thanks to the high quality construction and materials used in manufacturing, heavy investment in research, design and technology means that premium tyres benefit from improved stopping distances, fuel economy, grip (especially in wet conditions) and lower noise levels. Try Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear or Michelin.

Mid-range tyres
If premium tyres are out of your price range you may wish to consider mid-range tyres. The brands may not be quite as well known as the premium brands, but you still get a sense of the technology which has gone into their development. Mid-range can provide great value for money and depending on the type of driving that you do they can also prove to have a long life span. We recommend Avon.

Budget tyres
Budget tyres will perform as well as premium tyres in the summer; however they will not perform as well in wet or wintry conditions. We recommend Rapid tyres as an excellent budget choice.

Will your car pass its MOT? Listed below are the main elements of the MOT test. Its worthwhile checking items like lights, tyres and wiper blades before the test so that your vehicle has the best chance of passing first time.

Lights - check all bulbs, including the rear number plate bulbs
Wipers - check they are not split and wipe the windscreen cleanly
Washer fluid - check it is topped up
Tyres - check they are not bald
Horn - check it works
Dashboard - check there are no warning lights on the display
Windscreen - no chips, sat nav's, or air fresheners on the drivers view of the windscreen

Every car has different manufacturer recommendations, so to find out what needs replacing and when on your vehicle, give us a call or check in your manufacturer’s handbook for recommended service intervals. Service intervals are usually stated as in miles or years whichever the sooner.

If your water pump is driven by your cambelt it is recommended that you get this changed at the same time, otherwise if the water pump goes at a later date, you'll only have to replace the cambelt again due to replacing the water pump.

It is strongly advised to never go over your manufacturers recommended replacement interval as if it breaks it may cause engine damage that would mean your repair bills would be significantly higher than intended.