Is your car running rough? Don't wait until it breaks down.
Engine, cambelt, clutch, cooling and fuel system repairs, plus the preventive maintenance that stops them being needed. Diagnosed first, quoted in writing, fixed once.
One workshop for repairs and the maintenance that prevents them
Most of the expensive repairs we see were cheap ones six months earlier. That is why we treat repair and maintenance as the same job. Bring the car in for the fault, and we will also tell you what is coming up, so you can plan for it instead of being surprised by it.
Every repair is carried out by a qualified technician who works on hybrid, European and Japanese cars every day. We cover the engine, braking system, shock absorbers, exhaust, cooling and lubrication systems, and anything in between.
How often should each system be checked?
Use this as a baseline. Your manufacturer’s schedule overrides it where the two differ.
- Braking system: every 15,000 km.
- Full safety and systems check: every twelve months.
- Shock absorbers: every 25,000 km.
- Exhaust system: every 20,000 km.
- Electrical systems and the engine computer: every 15,000 km.
- Oil and lubrication system: every 10,000 to 15,000 km.
All of these are inspected as part of our service packages, and we also carry out standalone system checks and preventive inspections if you just want to know where the car stands.
Engine performance
There is a persistent belief that newer vehicles no longer need regular maintenance. They do. Without it you get hard starting, misfires, surging, hesitation and stalling, and the fuel bill climbs while the car gets slower. Regular engine maintenance reduces the chance of a large repair later and pays for itself in fuel.
Below are the items we check and replace most often, alongside whatever your manufacturer’s scheduled maintenance calls for.
Spark plugs
Worn or damaged plugs cause drivability problems and burn more fuel. Depending on the type fitted, plugs are replaced every 50,000 to 100,000 km to keep power, smoothness and economy where they should be.
Plug leads and ignition coils
Heat, voltage spikes, debris and corrosion all shorten the life of leads and coils, and a failing coil will misfire under load long before it fails completely. We inspect them whenever plugs are replaced and test them with the scan tool when a misfire is logged.
Cambelt replacement
A cambelt that snaps usually takes the engine with it. Replacing it on time is far cheaper than the alternative. Give us the make, model, year and mileage and we will tell you exactly when it is due.
Water pump
On most engines the water pump is driven by the cambelt and sits behind it. It is replaced at the same time, because doing it separately later means paying for the same labour twice.
Clutch
Slipping, a lack of drive or crunching gears mean the clutch needs attention. A short test drive tells us whether it is an adjustment or a replacement. Either way we get you back on the road quickly.
Air filter
A blocked air filter starves the engine, which then works harder for less power and worse economy. We inspect it with every oil change. Dusty roads and construction sites can mean it needs changing far more often than the schedule suggests.
Fuel filter
The fuel filter, PCV valve and breather element are routinely skipped at cheap services, and the result is a run of drivability faults. Change them every two years or 30,000 km to keep performance and fuel efficiency up.
Fuel injection cleaning
Rough idle, hesitation and slowly falling fuel economy are often just deposits in the injectors. A fuel system clean removes them and restores performance and economy without replacing parts.
General repairs
Overheating, oil leaks, rattles, warning lights, noises that only happen when it is cold: our technicians diagnose and repair most engine and running-gear faults in-house. If something does need a specialist, we will say so rather than guess.
We also offer inspection packages that look at everything above and give you a written estimate for whatever needs doing, so you can decide what to fix now and what to plan for. One workshop, one point of contact, no runaround.
What happens next
Book online or send an enquiry below describing the symptom. We confirm by text or email. We diagnose first, then phone you with a plain-English explanation and a written estimate. Nothing beyond what you approve is carried out.
Common questions
My car is running rough. What should I do?
Book a diagnosis. Misfires, hesitation, surging and stalling rarely fix themselves and usually get more expensive the longer they are left. We scan the car, test the likely causes and phone you with a plan and a price before touching anything.
When is my cambelt due?
It depends on the make, model, year and mileage. Tell us those four things and we will tell you the interval. If the belt has already passed it, or you cannot prove when it was last done, replace it. A failed cambelt usually destroys the engine.
Do newer cars still need regular maintenance?
Yes. The idea that modern cars look after themselves is a myth that costs people engines. Plugs, filters, fluids and belts still wear, and a modern engine is less tolerant of neglect than an old one, not more.
Will I get a quote before any work?
Always. Every repair starts with a written estimate, and nothing beyond it is done without your approval.
Enquire or book: Car repairs
Tell us about the car and what it needs. We reply within the hour during workshop hours and confirm every booking by text or email.
Thanks, your enquiry is on its way.
We will confirm your booking by text or email, usually within the hour during workshop hours.