How can I tell if my exhaust needs attention?

Most exhaust problems can be diagnosed by listening out for unfamiliar noises or with a visual check underneath the car.

• A loud roar could signify a hole in your exhaust pipe
• A persistent rattle may mean part of the exhaust is loose
• A tinkling sound could be a problem with your silencer
• A chugging noise could indicate a blockage in the system
• A hissing sound often indicates a crack in a gasket, pipe or in the manifold

If you begin to feel the clutch making some small jerks, just like knots on a string, it can be a sign that the clutch is defective

When should you replace the clutch?

Normally the clutch smoothly releases in both directions. It may feel harder to press down, or does not release as easily as normal. When you depress the clutch and shift gears there will be some sounds like cogs are running against each other, a sort of grinding noise. This indicates it is time to get the clutch looked over by a professional.

It is recommended that you should recharge your air conditioning system every 2 years with gas and lubricant, in order to keep it running efficiently. This is not included as part of a routine car service and so it can often be overlooked. If your car is more than 2 years old it is more than likely due a recharge.

Our Re-Gas service ensures that your air conditioning system is working efficiently by testing the gas pressure to see if it has dropped. A drop in gas pressure will result in a loss of cooling efficiency, which will make your engine work harder and in turn use more fuel.

The cambelt is a rubber belt that controls the timing of your vehicle’s internal combustion engines. It performs a vital function by ensuring that the crankshaft and the camshaft rotate in synchronisation.

Unfortunately, like other vehicle components, your car’s cambelt will almost certainly need changing at some point. You can often tell when it needs a change, as you will notice your car performing unusually. In this article, we cover the main tell-tale signs that it’s time to get your cambelt replaced.

Most manufacturers recommend a cambelt change every 40,000 to 60,000 miles.

Your vehicle's suspension system is effectively a complex series of components designed to work together to limit the vibrations and undulations from the road surface, providing a smooth, controlled and comfortable driving experience.

The principle car suspension components include a coil spring and a shock absorber or, as it is sometimes known, a dampener. These shocks and springs work together to dampen down and cushion the vehicle by absorbing the impact from potholes and other minor imperfections in the road. This keeps your vehicle stable and your tyres firmly in contact with the road surface for the maximum amount of time which is essential for your brakes to work effectively. Worn shock absorbers can add up to 2 metres to your braking distance when travelling at 30mph as tyres have less contact with the road.

Just like exhausts, when your brakes have a problem they will let you know. Common signs of brake problems include:

• A squealing or grinding noise when braking
• Brakes juddering when applied
• The vehicle pulls to one side when braking
• A grinding noise when the brakes are applied
• A grinding noise when the brakes are off
• A loss of efficiency during heavy braking or on a long descent
• A high, hard brake pedal
• Rear wheels locking upon braking

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or have any other concerns with your braking system, don't wait until it's too late

A modern car is full of electronics and electrical components and every now and again something may fail. Maybe the electric windows have stopped working, maybe it's the wiper motor, the rear window heater, the seat warmers, the car radio, one of the loudspeakers, a bulb in the headlights, the fog lights, the tow bar plug or the electric sun roof.

Whatever is wrong, it usually requires repair, replacement or a diagnostics check to see whether a fuse has blown or whether the problem goes deeper.