The garage blog
Straight answers about your car
MOTs, servicing, warning lights and repairs, explained in plain English by the team at M D Auto Care in Aylesbury.
MOT
When is my MOT due? How to check, and how early you can book it
Find your MOT due date in under a minute, see how early you can test without losing your renewal date, and what to do if it has already run out.
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MOT
Can you drive without an MOT? The rules, the fines and the one exception
What the law says about driving with no MOT, the fine you could face, when you can drive to a test, and why a dangerous fault changes everything.
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MOT
What happens if your car fails its MOT? A plain English guide
Dangerous, major, minor and advisory explained, whether you can drive home, how retests work and how to avoid paying twice for the same test.
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MOT
What is checked in an MOT? The full list in plain English
Everything a Class 4 MOT covers, from lights and brakes to seatbelts and emissions, and the things it does not check, such as the engine and clutch.
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MOT
Why do cars fail their MOT? The most common reasons and how to avoid them
Lights, suspension, tyres, brakes and visibility cause most MOT fails. Here is what to check on your own car before the test, in ten minutes.
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MOT
MOT or service: what is the difference, and which does your car need?
An MOT is a legal safety check on the day. A service is maintenance that keeps the car healthy. Here is how they differ and when you need each one.
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Servicing
How often should you service your car?
Every 12 months or 12,000 miles is the usual rule, but your handbook has the final say. Here is how to work out the right interval for your car.
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Servicing
Interim, full or major service: what is the difference?
An interim service is a lighter check between big services. A full or major service is the thorough one. Here is what each includes and who needs which.
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Servicing
Can I service my car at an independent garage and keep my warranty?
Yes. Under block exemption rules an independent garage can service a car under warranty, as long as the work follows the manufacturer's standards.
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Warning lights
Engine warning light on: what it means and can you keep driving?
Steady amber, flashing amber or red? Here is what an engine management light means, when it is safe to carry on, and what a garage does to find the fault.
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Warning lights
Dashboard warning lights explained: what the colours and symbols mean
Red means stop, amber means get it checked, green and blue mean something is on. A plain guide to the lights you are most likely to see.
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Warning lights
DPF warning light on? What it means, what to do and how to avoid a big bill
A DPF warning light means your diesel filter is filling with soot. A longer drive can sometimes clear it. If it stays on, cleaning can save you a replacement.
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Repairs and parts
How long does a car battery last, and why does it die in winter?
Most car batteries last three to five years. Learn the warning signs, why cold weather and short trips finish them off, and how to avoid being stranded.
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Repairs and parts
Car won't start? The common causes and what to check first
Clicking, cranking but not starting, or nothing at all. What each symptom usually points to, and what to try before calling for help.
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Tyres and brakes
Why are my brakes squealing or grinding? What it means and what to do
Squealing is often the wear indicator. Grinding means metal on metal. Here is how to tell harmless noise from a safety problem, and how long pads last.
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Tyres and brakes
What is the legal tyre tread depth, and how do you check it?
The legal minimum is 1.6mm, but tyres perform far better above 3mm. How to check with a 20p coin, what the fine is, and when to replace.
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Repairs and parts
Timing belt or cambelt: when to replace it and what happens if it snaps
A snapped timing belt can wreck an engine. Here is how often to replace it, how it differs from a timing chain, and why it is done by schedule, not by symptoms.
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Repairs and parts
Why isn't my car's air conditioning cold? Causes and how often to re-gas
Low refrigerant is the usual reason, but not the only one. Here is what else can stop air-con blowing cold, how often to service it, and a simple habit that helps.
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Repairs and parts
How do you check your engine oil, and how much does your car need?
A simple, step by step guide to checking the oil level on the dipstick, topping up safely, and finding out how much oil your car actually takes.
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Ready when you are
Book online and a service adviser will review it and confirm your time. Prefer to talk? We are on the phone Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.