Motoring News » Car Maintenance

New cars now to be MoT tested after 3 years

Alan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:10:47 +0000

The Transport Secretary Justine Greening announced this week that all cars will now need to be tested after their first three years on the road and then afterwards on an annual basis in a move that surprised many.

This is just one of the many reverse transport announcements that have come about over the last few months as it seems the Government is a bit bi-polar when it comes to its policies. Other announcements that have been surprising have been that pupils under five do not need milk in school and that they will sell off public forest areas.

Prior to the announcement it was understood that ministers were thinking about waiting four years before an initial MoT inspection would be required of new cars and then making the test a bi-annual requirement. The idea was to help clear red tape after so many regulations were erected over the economic period of uncertainty.

At the time it seemed logical as cars are now more reliable and better constructed then in the past. However, Greening chose to toss the plans of Phillip Hammond in favor of evidence that she reviewed from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

The study revealed that over a quarter of the MoT tests over the last year missed defects and passed thousands of cars that should not have been deemed roadworthy. Motoring groups were in support of the results claiming that if the tests were not as frequent then more unsafe cars would continue to slip through the cracks placing many people’s safety on the roads at risk. In response to the poor MoT results, the Government plans to carry out a variation of the ‘mystery shopper’ experience at its own testing centres to see where the problems are.

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Northern Ireland’s drivers cant do basic roadside maintenance

Alan — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 08:31:12 +0000

A new report that has come out of Northern Ireland has revealed that most drivers don’t know how to perform basic maintenance on their cars. Most drivers don’t how to check the oil or even change a tyre.

The survey has been conducted by Open + Direct, a car insurance retailer. The survey also highlighted that women are more likely not know how to perform basic maintenance and often score very poorly when asked simple questions about car maintenance on the driving test.

Nearly 30% of people surveyed admitted that they could not do any tasks that they were asked about. This figure was 8% for men but nearly 5 times higher for women. Only half of the women surveyed knew how to check the oil level of their car and six in every 10 women didn’t know how to change a flat tyre. Nearly 80% did not know how to recharge a battery that has become flat. However, nearly a quarter of women did claim they knew how to check the pressure of the tyres.

Over 1000 adults were surveyed and they were all aged between 16 and 65 years old. Director of operations at the insurer is Colin McEvoy and he has commented about the statistics, “This is quite worrying that as it is very important to know how to keep your car in a condition that is safe to be on the road.

Passing a driving test is more than about just learning how to drive but should involve people learning how to do basic maintenance. We would strongly urge all drivers to make sure they know how to perform these basic tasks.”

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Million less cars on the road because of motoring costs

Alan — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:51:06 +0000

Sainsbury‘s Car Insurance has done new research that has found over a million drivers have stopped using their cars because of the high cost of trying to maintain them on the road. With the costs of tyres, services, insurance, MOTs and fuel the cost of maintaining the car can quickly escalate, at times getting so high that many are just giving them up completely.

That is what the new research by Sainsbury’s Car Insurance has concluded which found that the cost for an average car owner is over £1,700 each year to keep the car running, a staggering 23% higher than just a year ago. The costs are increasing because of the cost of petrol that is now 136p per litre but the petrol is not the only cost. Insurance premiums have increased and excesses have caused the cost motoring to become more expensive.

The drivers and the pressures they are going through are starting to take a toll. Forty-five percent of the motorists or about 16 million people are driving less, with 7% now participating in car-share and 25% said they stopped filling their tanks and are now buying less petrol each time the go to the station. There are even 10% of the drivers that have changed cars in order to get a cheaper run and making it less to insure.

The research has been released at a time people are feeling squeezed all around. The cost of living is continuing to rise and yet the wages continue to be stagnant making cars that once were a necessity becoming a luxury.

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Keeping Your Car In Top Condition

admin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:48:29 +0000

An Advertorial Feature

Before booking an MOT, it is very important to have your car serviced. You want to make sure that it is in top condition in order for it to pass the MOT. That being said, it is really important to keep your car in top condition at all times simply to ensure your own safety and the safety of others. Not only this but having your car serviced regularly can help your car to run better, last longer, and give you better performance.

A lot of people dismiss the car servicing offers that can be taken out cheaply at the car dealership due to the extra expense. However ultimately the cost of little do people know that little bit of servicing every now and then can actually save you money because it will keep the car from entirely breaking down. Also car dealerships have specialist service plans for particular makes and models. For example Ford service and Renault service, this means that they have the required expertise and parts which ultimately make it cheaper than taking your car to a normal garage.

When it comes to getting your car serviced the most important thing that you can do is to have the engine fluids checked. This starts with the oil, which helps to lubricate the entire engine. Without it, the engine can overheat and burn up. Buying a whole new engine is often not even worth it; you are better off just to buy a new car. If you keep an eye on the oil, checking to make sure that it is not leaking and that it gets changed often enough, you can increase the life of the car drastically.

You should not stop with the oil, however. There are other fluids that you should check as well. The most notable fluids are the coolant and the transmission fluid. A transmission is, like an engine, worth quite a lot. If this breaks, many people just purchase new cars. The coolant helps to keep the engine from overheating — in this way, it is similar to the oil. You want all of these levels to be perfect so that the car does not break down.

One good way to go about this is to get into a habit of seeking out car servicing work at the same time every month. Maybe you want to take the car in to have the oil changed every other month, for example, or even more often than that if you drive a lot. Maybe you just want to have the fluids checked and the tires rotated. Once you have established this as a habit, you will be in a much better position. This will increase the chances that you will actually do it and will not forget. This will also make it easier to pay for the work since you can just add the monthly visits into your budget.

Bristol Street Motors are a UK wide dealership offering specialising in new and used cars as well as after sales car. For more information visit http://www.bristolstreet.co.uk

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Basic preparations for restoring your prized car

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:59:11 +0000

The summer is nearly upon us which means that many Midget, Austin and Triumph fanatics pull off the covers and polish up their cars and give them a run out with their fellow enthusiasts. But for many there is a desire to join these clubs with a prized car, but are stalling at the restoration phase.

The most effective place to start a restoration project is with excellent organising and planning, as well as a financial background to keep the project running smoothly. Restoring a car can be expensive with unforeseen expenses having to be paid for throughout the project, so setting a budget and sticking to this is good in theory but sometimes hard to keep to.

List the essential items for every single job and evaluate which repairs you may reasonably do yourself and those where you will require a mechanic to do the work on your behalf as you do not have the knowledge, tools or facilities to do the work. Having somewhere to carry out the work is also crucial, a garage is obviously the most desirable place but sometimes this is not possible, so alternative solutions have to be sourced. For work that can be outside, a pop up gazebo could provide adequate temporary shelter but something more substantial may be required.

Somewhere to record the restoration project can sometimes be helpful. There are a number of computer programs that can assist with this, the benefit being that not only can you see what work is still to be completed, but it provides a basis to keep track of expenditures. In addition, somewhere to store before and after photographs and videos can provide a sense of achievement when the project is completed. Documenting the work that is done and posting these onto a personal website or forum can help others who are trying to tackle the same project as well as sharing information which can assist your project.

When you begin work it may be an idea to photograph or write down how the parts were disassembled, this means that there is a reference should anything go wrong. At this stage you will be ready for sourcing and buying parts, this can be an issue for more obscure makes and models but search the internet and you may come up trumps, one website to consult on a regular basis is OldClassicCar.co.uk. When the parts are ready for fitting, clean and degrease all of the elements to improve their productivity as well as making the end product look more desirable.

The interior of the vehicle can be one of the most expensive tasks during the restoration, but for authenticity purposes try and stay true to what there is before and if repairing isn’t an option because of wear and tear try and buy like for like. When the mechanics and interior are finalised the project is nearly complete with one more phase to finish… The exterior.

The paint work is what people see and obviously with so much pride about the vehicle you will want to get the best job done on it. Therefore source quality car painters who will do a fantastic job and this is probably one area that you will not want to scrimp and save on. Search the internet for products that can then help maintain this finish so that when the project is complete you can take time to erect your gazebo and spend the day polishing and buffering your restored prize possession.

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Jason Plato video guide to using Karcher High Pressure Washer to clean your car

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 11:23:31 +0000

To most men, the car takes pride of place when it comes to their possessions. New research even goes as far to state a third of British men view their motors as a part of their personality.

So hitting the road in a dirty, grimy thing won’t land you much street cred when cruising down the high street.

But rather than risk a scratch or two at a carwash, or get out the mundane bucket and sponge – TV’s Jason Plato, a British touring car racer and former champion has a smarter solution.

The Fifth Gear presenter testifies that keeping his wheels clean is a must (especially as his is a swanky Porsche). In this video, Jason gives us an exclusive backstage peek with his championship racing team Chevrolet…. then proceeds to give us a step by step blast to freshening up his motor.

So if you’re out to impress your mates you won’t want to miss this sure fire way to washing your car with Karcher’s High Pressure Washer. Here, Jason Plato gives his advice in an exclusive look behind the scenes.

For more information, visit www.karcher.com

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Motorsilk Engine Treatment claimed to save up to 15 per cent on fuel

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:26:45 +0000

If you are looking to reduce your fuel costs then you might want to look at a new product that has just been released into the UK market. It is claimed that Motorsilk Engine Treatment will save you up to 15% on your fuel bills, being the the only product (worldwide) with ISO Approval. Motorsilk engine treatment is a revolutionary new product using a brand new technology called BoronCLS which actually treats the moving parts of your engine reducing friction and therefore results in improved mpg, and unlike other products this actually works.

Clive Perry, owner driver for courier firm Bluebell Express Couriers reported “The vehicle I use is a 2 litre Vauxhall Vivaro Diesel. I travel on average 2,000 miles / week, the majority on the motorways across the U.K. Before I was introduced to Motorsilk I was averaging 550 miles from an 80 litre tank of diesel. Since using the measured dose of Motorsilk every time I refuel I have been exceeding 670 miles per tank full of diesel”

However this product not only improves your mpg performance but it prolongs the life span of your engine, reducing your maintenance costs, and even reduces your engines C02 emissions. One treatment lasts for a staggering 30,000 miles.

It all sounds too good to be true, but extensive tests here in the UK by numerous private and fleet operators have proved otherwise. Even Millbrook Proving Ground (one of the industry’s leading test centres) says “average fuel consumption improved from 22.6 per litre to 28.1 per litre over a 2,000km distance” that is a staggering improvement of 19.6%. Plus the fact that this is the only engine treatment product available on the market with ISO approval.

This product is now being used in more than 10,000,000 vehicles worldwide. For a Special Introductory Offer go to www.motorsilk.webs.com e;motorsilksales@live.co.uk

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iPhone App to help find a ATA mechanic

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:35:18 +0000

A new ATA (Automotive Technician Accreditation) iPhone app which helps drivers locate a skilled and fully-qualified technician has now been launched.

The free, easy-to-use app can be downloaded immediately to help drivers make sure their car is safe before driving off to visit relatives.

The Institute of the Motor Industry developed the programme, which helps locate a garage with ATA-registered technicians you know you can rely on.

Just search for “ATA Find A Mechanic” at the Apps Store on your iPhone. Or visit OKwithATA.com.

Don’t forget your car needs regular servicing – don’t just rely on a MOT – especially with the recent cold weather. The IMI also recomends getting your tyres and oil checked before embarking on a long journey this Christmas. And while you’re preparing for your Christmas road trip – a few other top tips from the ATA to help you on your way (other than to perfect your fake ‘It’s just what I’ve always wanted!’ smile):

1. Check if the garage employs ATA technicians and/or IMI members, who all possess a membership card to show they are suitably qualified. Alternatively ask if the business is registered with a Trading Standards scheme.

2. Ensure that the garage is familiar with your car’s make and model.

3. Prior to booking your car in, consider how it’s been running. Be honest – inform the service staff of any problems and/or any recent work carried out.

4. Check what is included within the service – ask to see a copy of the service schedule for your vehicle type.

5. Check the breakdown of costs, including all parts, consumables, labour and VAT – you should know exactly what you are paying for.

6. Insist that no additional work is undertaken without your express permission. If recommended, this should be quoted against, not estimated.

7 Ask for any replaced parts to be retained for your inspection upon collection.

8. Ensure that you receive a detailed itemised report with a verbal explanation of the work undertaken and/or recommended. Ask about the garage’s quality control checks and make sure your service book is stamped.

9. Ensure that the name of the technician that works on your car is detailed on your invoice. Ask to speak to him or her specifically, if you have any concerns or require necessary explanations.

10. Ensure that you receive a guarantee. Make sure you know what it covers, check the period of validity and identify the complaints procedure, should a query arise.

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Checking engine oil levels to help avoid large motoring costs

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:50:34 +0000

Breakeryard.com is urging motorists to make sure they check their engine oil levels after experiencing a huge surge in requests for replacement engine parts over the past five months.

Order requests for replacement engine parts have increased dramatically since June 2009, making up 21.7 per cent of the ten most common orders for car parts in that period.

Gearbox and transmission parts were also highly sought after during the same period, with both manual and automatic transmissions making up just over 20 per cent of the top ten most requested parts.

The figures have prompted Breakeryard to remind motorists to perform simple maintenance checks on a regular basis to avoid a potentially huge financial headache in the future.

Checks such as oil and water levels, which should be checked at regular intervals and both before and after long journeys, form part of the essential basic maintenance which will help drivers to keep their engines healthy and minimise the risk of major problems in future. The importance of maintenance will take on greater significance in the winter months, as lower temperatures can cause oils to thicken and increase the rate at which batteries discharge.

Having a vehicle serviced at the recommended intervals is also an important if often neglected part of vehicle maintenance.

Whilst numerous factors can lead to engine failure, problems can generally be split into three categories; overheating, lack of lubrication and misassembly.

Every engine needs lubrication to make sure it’s moving parts run smoothly and also to carry heat away from the engine. Oil is the primary lubricant and the means by which the main bearings are cooled. Any reduction in oil flow can be fatal to engines and can cause parts to overheat, gall and seize up.

Closely related to this is engine failure as a result of overheating, which is most commonly caused by a low level of coolant in the engine which can be a result of a leak in a hose, radiator or the engine. A faulty thermostat can also prevent the coolant from flowing from the engine to the radiator.

Unusual noises from your engine, overheating, a loss of power, misfiring and any other similar performance complaints are all indicative of problems that need urgent attention. Neglecting these symptoms can lead to total engine failure and thus be a costly mistake requiring you to order a complete engine replacement.

‘Our system has now advanced to discover amazing patterns in the ordering of vehicle parts across the UK which help us understand the importance and safety for motorists to keep their vehicles looked after’ Matt Bott Operations Manager Breakeryard.com

Breakeryard.com sell guaranteed car parts at discounted prices, visit www.breakeryard.com.

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