FAQ
General Car Repair Questions
Everyday issues made easy—servicing schedules, warning lights, winter checks, and pre-trip prep. We come to you and keep it clear and affordable.
Brake Service Questions
From squeaks to soft pedals, we diagnose and fix pads, discs, and fluid on your driveway, with an upfront quote before any work starts.
Transmission Questions Answered
Clutch slip, harsh shifts, or leaks? We inspect, test-drive, and explain your options in plain English—repairs without the garage run-around.
Car Repair FAQs
Got a question about servicing, repairs, or recovery? We’ve answered the most common ones below—straight, simple, and written for real life in the West Midlands. If you don’t see yours, call 07515485808 for free, no-obligation advice.
It’s routine care—servicing, fluids, filters, brake and tyre checks—that keeps your car safe and reliable. Small checks now prevent breakdowns and MOT fails later.
Service every 10–12k miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Check oil, coolant and tyres monthly; change brake fluid every 2 years; replace air/cabin filters every 12–24 months; follow your manufacturer’s spark plug/timing belt interval.
Poor fuel economy, rough idle, hesitant acceleration, hard starting or warning lights. A mobile diagnostic and fresh filters/plugs often restores smooth running.
Test the battery, check antifreeze strength, aim for 3mm+ tyre tread, replace wiper blades, and top up winter-grade screenwash. We can do a full winter check on your driveway.
Check fluids, tyre pressures (including the spare), tread depth, brakes, and cooling system. Bring a triangle, hi-vis and inflator. A pre-trip inspection prevents roadside delays.
Yes—pre-MOT checks, advisories explained, and quick MOT fault repairs. We’ll prioritise safety items first and aim to get you a pass without surprises.
Squeaks come from worn or glazed pads/discs, dust or light rust. A brake job replaces pads (and discs if needed), services sliders, and checks brake fluid and hoses.
It ranges from a loose fuel cap to a misfire or sensor fault. A flashing light means stop safely and call us. We’ll scan it on-site and give you the quickest, most cost-effective fix.
Under-inflation. It overheats tyres and causes shoulder wear. Potholes, age and poor alignment also play a part. Check pressures monthly and after big temperature changes.
Typically every 60–100k miles or 5–7 years (varies by engine). If you’re near the interval or unsure of history, book it—belt failure can destroy the engine.
Replace auxiliary belts if cracked, glazed or noisy. Hoses should be firm, not brittle or swollen, and free from leaks. If you smell coolant or see drops, get it checked.
Yes—rapid recovery and on-the-spot fixes 24/7 across the West Midlands. We diagnose first, repair if possible, and keep costs transparent throughout.
Brake Service FAQs
Brakes feeling different, noisy or showing a warning light? Below are the most common UK questions on pads, discs, brake fluid, ABS and MOT failures. If yours isn’t here, call 07515485808 for free, no-obligation advice.
Typical signs are squealing or grinding, a longer stopping distance, a pad warning light, or pads looking thin (about 3 mm or less). If you’re unsure, we can measure pad thickness on your driveway.
Driving style and mileage matter, but pads often last 20k–40k miles and discs 40k–60k miles. Lots of town driving shortens life. We’ll check both and advise the most economical timing.
Squeaks can be dust, light rust or glazed pads; grinding usually means pads are worn to metal and may be damaging the discs. Book a check—driving on grinding brakes gets expensive quickly.
Judder (vibration when braking) is commonly from disc run-out/warping, uneven deposits, or worn suspension bushes. Light judder is usually safe at low speed, but have it inspected as it can worsen.
Air or moisture in the system, old brake fluid, or a leak. It’s a safety issue—avoid driving if the pedal sinks. We can pressure-test, fix leaks and bleed the brakes on-site.
Yes. Brake fluid absorbs moisture which reduces performance and raises boiling point risk. Most makers recommend every 2 years. We test fluid and replace it with the correct spec DOT fluid.
Yes—pads below minimum thickness, damaged discs, leaks, binding, poor efficiency or an ABS warning light can cause a fail. We do pre-MOT checks and MOT fault repairs to help you pass first time.
ABS helps prevent wheel lock under hard braking. If the light’s on, normal braking usually remains but anti-lock may not work. Drive gently and book diagnostics—often a wheel-speed sensor or wiring fault.
Not always. If discs are within thickness/tolerance and the surface is good, pads alone can be fine. If discs are lipped, cracked, corroded or too thin, replace both to avoid rapid pad wear and noise.
Cables can stretch, mechanisms seize, or EPB motors/calipers stick. We can adjust or free components, replace seized parts and recalibrate EPB systems at your location.
Ceramic pads are clean and quiet but can cost more; quality non-asbestos organic or semi-metallic pads perform brilliantly for daily UK driving. We recommend the best option for your car and budget.
Yes. For the first 150–200 miles, avoid very hard stops. Progressive braking lays an even transfer layer on the discs, reducing noise and helping performance and life.
Transmission FAQs
Gears slipping, harsh shifts or a new warning light? Below are the UK’s most-asked questions on clutches, manuals, automatics (incl. DSG/CVT), fluids and MOT issues. If yours isn’t here, call 07515485808 for free, no-obligation advice.
Revs rise but road speed doesn’t, especially in higher gears; there’s a burning smell and weak acceleration on hills. If it’s progressive, book soon—continued slipping overheats the clutch and flywheel.
Likely worn synchros, low/old gearbox oil, clutch not fully disengaging, or a stretched cable/hydraulic issue. We’ll check clutch travel, linkages and fluid, then advise the most economical fix.
Intervals vary. Many manuals benefit from fresh oil around 40k–60k miles/4–6 years. Automatics, DSG and CVT units often specify fluid/filter changes in a similar range—always check your handbook; we can look it up by reg.
A torque-converter auto uses fluid coupling; DSG/dual-clutch pre-selects gears for fast shifts; CVT varies ratios smoothly with belts/chains. Each needs the correct fluid and service procedure.
Often, yes. Common causes are low/dirty fluid, a clogged filter, software adaptations, or a failing solenoid. We can scan the TCM, check pressures/levels and replace fluid/filters on-site where accessible.
This indicates a stored fault in the transmission system. Driving in limp mode protects the box but reduces power. We’ll read codes, test sensors/solenoids and advise a safe, cost-effective plan.
Yes—especially wet-clutch types, typically around 40k miles for fluid/filter changes (model-dependent). Skipping services shortens clutch and mechatronic life. We use the correct OEM-spec fluid.
A stiff pedal suggests a worn clutch or release bearing; a soft or sinking pedal points to air or leaks in the master/slave cylinder. We can inspect hydraulics and replace components on your driveway.
A dual-mass flywheel rattle is common on higher-mileage diesels. Left alone it can worsen and damage the clutch. We’ll confirm the source and quote for clutch + DMF together if needed.
Possibly. ATF is usually red/brown; manual oil is darker and smells sulphury. Leaks from seals, coolers or driveshafts should be fixed quickly to avoid internal damage. We can identify and stop the leak.
The MOT doesn’t strip a gearbox, but fluid leaks, insecure mounts, ineffective parking brake, warning lights (where applicable) or unsafe road test behaviour can cause a fail or advisory. We do pre-MOT checks and MOT fault repairs.
Many automatics shouldn’t be towed with driven wheels on the road due to lubrication limits. Use a flatbed or lift the driven axle. If you’re stuck, call us—we’ll advise the safe option for your specific model.
24/7 Breakdown Recovery FAQs
Stuck at the roadside, on a dual carriageway or motorway? Here are England’s most-asked questions on what to do, who to call, what’s included, MOT/safety rules, and options if you don’t have cover. If you still need help, call 07515485808—free, no-obligation advice.
A lot. We handle no-starts, flat batteries, alternators/starters, overheating, belts/hoses, minor fuel leaks, misfires, sensor faults, brakes binding, and punctures/tyre swaps (where a usable spare is available). If a quick fix isn’t safe or sensible, we recover you.
We triage calls and send the nearest unit. In our core West Midlands area, same-hour attendance is common; further afield we’ll give you a clear ETA and live updates.
No. We’re pay-as-you-go. You only pay for call-out/diagnostic and any parts/labour you approve. Many customers find this cheaper than yearly cover.
Yes. We offer local recovery to home, workplace or our partner garages, and long-distance recovery on request. We’ll advise the most cost-effective option before we load.
Yes. We do safe jump-starts, test the battery/alternator, and can supply & fit a new battery on site with warranty.
Put hazards on, get behind the barrier if safe, and call us. If you’re in a live lane and can’t reach a safe area, call 999 first; then we’ll coordinate recovery and keep you updated.
Yes. We follow manufacturer procedures for auto gearboxes and dual-clutch units, and we recover EVs/hybrids with the correct safe-tow methods. For EVs with low charge we’ll recover to a charger if needed.
Where possible we’ll plug/repair small tread punctures or use sealant to get you moving safely; otherwise we’ll recover to a tyre centre or source a replacement tyre.
Yes. We can arrange a safe fuel drain and system purge on site where appropriate, or recover you to a facility. Don’t start the engine—call us and we’ll advise the quickest fix.
Simple and transparent: call-out/diagnostic + parts/labour you approve + recovery distance if needed. We confirm the price before work starts. No hidden fees.
Your location/postcode or junction, vehicle reg, make & model, a short description of the issue, and whether you have a spare wheel or passengers with you. A photo or quick video helps us bring the right parts.
Yes. Parts come with manufacturer warranty and our labour is guaranteed. If there’s any issue, we’ll put it right—fast.