Servicing & MOT
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Engine & Drivetrain
Diagnostics & EmissionsPelsall Village Garage Blog
Helpful car care guides.
Practical advice from our technicians, written for local drivers.
When Is My MOT Due?
How the three-year MOT rule works, how to check your MOT due date for free, and what happens if it runs out.
Read more →5 min readHow Often Should I Service My Car?
Interim, full and major services explained, plus how to choose between a yearly service and one based on mileage.
Read more →5 min readWhat To Do When Your Engine Warning Light Comes On
The difference between a solid and a flashing engine light, what a diagnostic check involves, and simple checks you can do first.
Read more →5 min readWhy Is My Car Making a Grinding Noise When I Brake?
The usual causes of grinding brakes in Walsall, from worn pads and stones to a seized caliper, and why it is worth acting early.
Read more →5 min readWhy Your Car Will Not Start: What To Check First
What it means when your car is silent, only clicks, or cranks but will not fire, and what to check before you call a garage.
Read more →4 min readWhy Is My Car Pulling to One Side?
Tyre pressures, alignment, sticking brakes and worn suspension can all make a car pull, and how we find which one it is.
Read more →5 min readTicking Noise From the Engine? It Could Be the Timing Chain
What a timing chain does, the warning signs of a worn chain, and why a ticking engine needs checking in Walsall.
Read more →4 min readFront or Rear Brake Pads: When Should They Be Changed?
Why front and rear pads wear at different rates, the signs they need changing, and why we check both ends every time.
Read more →6 min readWhen Should You Change Your Timing Belt?
What a timing belt does, how to find the right change interval for your car, and why it pays to change it before it snaps.
Read more →6 min readSigns Your Clutch Is On Its Way Out
Slipping, a high biting point, judder and strange noises: how to tell when your clutch is wearing out and what to do about it.
Read more →6 min readDPF Warning Light On? Here Is What To Do
What a diesel particulate filter does, why the DPF light comes on, and the steps to take before it turns into a bigger repair.
Read more →6 min readEGR Valve Problems: Signs, Causes and Fixes
What the EGR valve does, the symptoms of one that is sticking or clogged with carbon, and how we put it right.
Read more →6 min readHead Gasket Failure: The Signs To Watch For
What a head gasket does, the warning signs of one that is failing, and why overheating is the thing to avoid.
Read more →6 min readTurbo Failure: Symptoms and What Causes It
How a turbo works, the signs it is struggling, what usually causes it to fail and how to make yours last.
Read more →6 min readWhy Is My Car Air Con Not Blowing Cold?
Low gas, leaks, a tired compressor or a blocked filter can all stop your air con cooling. Here is what goes wrong and how we track it down.
Read more →6 min readIs Your Exhaust Blowing? Signs, Causes and Why It Matters
A louder engine, a puffing or ticking sound and fumes in the cabin are all signs of an exhaust leak. Here is what causes it and why you should not leave it.
Read more →6 min readKnocking Noise When Going Over Bumps? Here Is What It Could Be
Drop links, bushes, ball joints, broken springs and worn shock absorbers can all knock over bumps. How to tell the signs and when to get it checked.
Read more →6 min readWhat Is the Legal Tyre Tread Depth in the UK?
The 1.6mm rule explained, how to check your tread at home, the penalties for illegal tyres and why it is worth changing them before they reach the limit.
Read more →6 min readGearbox Problems: The Warning Signs to Look Out For
Grinding, whining, slipping, jumping out of gear and harsh changes. The early signs of gearbox trouble in manual and automatic cars, and what to do about them.
Read more →6 min readWill an Independent Garage Service Affect My Car Warranty?
You do not have to use a main dealer to keep your new car warranty. Here is what the rules say and what to look for in an independent service.
Read more →6 min readThe Most Common Reasons Cars Fail Their MOT
The areas where cars most often fail the MOT, and the simple checks you can do at home before you bring your car in.
Read more →6 min readVan MOTs Explained: Class 4 or Class 7?
Which MOT class your van needs, how to find its design gross weight, and why it matters before you book.
Read more →6 min readGetting Your Motorbike Ready for Spring
What to check on your motorbike after the winter lay-up, from the battery and tyres to the brakes and fluids.
Read more →6 min readMotorcycle Chain Care: Cleaning, Lubing and Adjusting
How to keep your motorbike chain clean, lubed and at the right tension, and the signs your chain and sprockets need replacing.
Read more →6 min readWhat Is Checked in a Car Service?
A plain-English walk through what we check and change during a car service, from the oil and filter to the brakes, tyres and lights.
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