EU legislation requires all manufacturers to offer at least a 2-year, unlimited mileage warranty on all their new cars, which is transferable if the car is sold on. Different legislation (the good old EU again though) states that manufacturers cannot force buyer to have their cars serviced by their official dealership network, and cannot refuse …
Although as I write it’s a bright and mild winter’s day outside, no lesser authority than the Daily Express are warning of a six-week sub-zero Arctic cold spell starting in January. Mind you where would the Express be without a weather headline to invent-I-mean-report. When it does get cold though your car’s battery, the unsung …
Servicing your car can seem like a bit of a waste of money – if it’s not broke don’t fix it, right?! Problem is, not servicing your car is like not looking after yourself health-wise, the least you’re doing is storing up trouble for later. As an example, my Smart Roadster needs the clutch adjusting …
One of the most common causes of MOT failure is faulty lights on a vehicle, meaning the exterior lights not the many and various dashboard warning lights which are now the subject of separate checks. It’s easy enough to check your lights before bringing the car in for an MOT. For a start all lights …
We’re often asked what the ‘rules’ are regarding retests when a car fails its MOT. If your car unfortunately fails its MOT test, you have a number of options depending on the kind of problem which needs repairing. 1. Free retest – minor issues If your car fails due to the fairly minor issues in …
Comparison site TootCompare.com has compiled a list of the cars with the best and worst pass rates for their first MOT, using 2013 data supplied by VOSA: 1. Lexus 2. Subaru 3. Honda 4. Toyota 5. Audi 6. Saab 7. Land Rover 8. Mercedes-Benz 9. Suzuki 10. Hyundai 89.5% 88.7% 87.2% 85.7% 84.8% 84.5% 84.3% 84.2% 84.1% 83.8% 32000 31000 25000 …
In March 2013 some new checks have been added to the MOT Test which we expect to catch many people out, as they are things which previously have been advisory only and are now causes for MOT failure: The biggest one is probably: “The vehicle will also fail if a Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) malfunction …
The MOT Test was introduced in 1960 by the then Ministry of Transport. Back then it was only for vehicles over 10 years old and only the lights, steering and brakes were checked; remember this was a time when new cars were very expensive (relative to wages) and most cars being driven on British roads …
Laila Benfaida is a Trading Standards Officer for Hampshire County Council was asked how to find a good mechanic and what to do if you get stung by a rogue one. Do your homework – There are many forum sites and owners’ clubs online that’ll give an idea of the likely cause of faults if you …