• Brake Pedal – We will check the pedal travel and servo operation during a static test
• Pads & Shoes – We will measure the pads or shoes for wear and also check for damage
• Wheel Cylinder – We will examine the cylinder assembly and master cylinder for damage or fluid leaks
• Precision Inspection – We will measure the discs or drums for wear as well as reporting any damage

• Disk Brake Calipers – We will examine the calipers, hoses and pipes, checking for damage or fluid leaks around each brake unit
• Brake Fluid – We will check the quality of the brake fluid to ensure it still lubricates effectively and has not taken in a high level of moisture
• Handbrake – We will report the condition and operation of the handbrake
• Final Road Test – to check the braking system is working effectively

• Changing gears is difficult
• There is a rattling or grinding sound when you change gears
• Engine revs climb or fall seemingly at random

• You can rev the engine, but your car barely increases in speed
• The clutch may seem to ‘slip’ causing a loss of acceleration, or a complete loss of drive

Wheel Alignment

Wheel alignment (or tracking) is an important part of car maintenance. It refers to the angle and direction at which your tyres are set.

Wheel alignment involves adjusting the angles of the wheels to the recommended position as outlined in your vehicle’s manufacturer specification.

Hitting kerbs or driving at speed through a pothole can result in wheel misalignment. Poorly aligned tyres can affect road holding, increase fuel consumption and decrease the life of your tyres, so it’s really important to check your wheels regularly.

Please note that the correct alignment of two wheels is sufficient to resolve many problems. Not all cars can have the rear wheels adjusted so any additional requirement for all four wheels to be adjusted needs to be discussed with us once the check is done and a separate quote will be provided if necessary.

Some signs of wheel misalignment are:

• Uneven tyre wear
• Drag or pulling
• Steering wheel vibration

Wheel Balancing

Wheel balancing is when making sure that the weight of the wheel and tyre is even around the axle.

Wheel balance is checked on a wheel balancing machine that can sense a very small difference in weight around the wheel. To balance the tyres, the technician places tiny offsetting weights at specific points around the wheel.

You will notice if your wheels are out of balance if there is uneven wear on the tyres. Many drivers also notice vibration when travelling over 40 – 50mph, especially if the imbalanced tyres are on the front.

Tyre Fitting

Before fitting tyres to your vehicle we will first need to know the model of your car, how many tyres are going to be fitted, and the make of tyres that you want fitted (all makes of tyres fitted).

The fitting of your new tyres can include:

Tyre Repairs

Tyre repairs can be a cheaper alternative to buying new tyres. Our tyre repairs policy reflects that of the British Standard – BSAU159.

Tyre damage repair should only be attempted if the tyre has first been checked thoroughly. If the tyre displays any of the following characteristics, a puncture repair should not be attempted:

Inspection is vital – if you have any doubts about whether or not a tyre should be repaired, do not repair it.

Tyre Services

Tyres will be checked for obvious damage such as cracks and punctures. The service will also include making sure that they have the minimum required tread depth and that they are inflated to the necessary pressure level.

Listening

In terms of listening for exhaust problems we would inspect the silencer as this is the part of the exhaust that usually needs attention first. It is the furthest away from the engine and is the most likely to be corroded by acidic moisture. This is because these parts remain relatively cold and give exhaust gases a chance to condense and form pools of corrosive acid inside the system. We will know that there is a problem with the silencer since the exhaust will start making a loud roaring noise.

Other noises we will listen out for include hissing, which indicates a crack in the exhaust manifold, exhaust pipe or a leaking gasket. A chugging noise could mean a blockage in the exhaust system.

If we hear rattling under the car it could mean that the exhaust system has become misaligned. If we can hear a loud metallic vibration, it usually means that something is touching the exhaust pipe or that a clamp, support bracket or mounting is loose. Hangers and brackets hold the exhaust in place. If these become corroded, fractured or fall off completely, it can cause extra stress to the exhaust housing which can also lead to premature exhaust failure.

Visual

Other problems can be identified with a visual check. We will examine the entire length of the exhaust from the engine all the way down to the tailpipe and look for any cracks or holes, especially where one section meets the next e.g. the seams and joins between the exhaust manifold and the cylinder. External rust may not be as serious as it first appears, because it may only be on the surface. However if the component has rusted through or is rusted from the inside (due to internal condensation build up) it may be a cause for concern. We will gently prod rusty areas to try and fix this issue. If the structural integrity feels weak or a hole is formed, it is a sure sign that this section of the exhaust needs to be replaced.

*Please note that it can be difficult to deliver a perfectly accurate estimate for repair until a mechanic is able to get a close look at your car as the repair could be as simple as welding a small crack shut which costs £50 or replacing the entire catalytic converter which could cost £1,500+.