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More servicesER Automotive Blog
Helpful car care guides.
Practical advice from our technicians, written for local drivers.
Common Ford Focus Problems (2011–2018) and What They Cost to Fix
The faults we see most on the Mk3 Ford Focus, from the 1.0 EcoBoost wet belt to PowerShift judder and 1.6 TDCi turbos, and how to keep repair bills down.
Read more →5 min readVW Golf Mk7 Known Faults: What to Watch For
The Mk7 Golf is a good car, but water pump leaks, 2.0 TDI EGR and DPF faults and DSG judder all come up. Here is what to look out for and what to do.
Read more →4 min readIs the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost Reliable?
The 1.0 EcoBoost has a mixed reputation. We look at what goes wrong, which cars are affected and how to keep one running well.
Read more →4 min readDSG Gearbox Service: Why It Matters
What a DSG service involves, how often it is needed, the warning signs of a problem and why skipping it can lead to one of the biggest bills on a VW or Audi.
Read more →5 min readNissan Qashqai Common Problems (2007–2021)
The faults we see most on the first and second-generation Qashqai, from diesel DPF blockages to CVT judder and 1.2 DIG-T oil use, with advice on each.
Read more →4 min readBuying a Vauxhall with the 1.2 PureTech Engine: What to Check
Thinking of a used Corsa F, Grandland X or Crossland X with the 1.2 petrol? Here is what to check on the wet belt, oil use and service history before you buy.
Read more →4 min readHow Do I Protect My Car From Keyless Theft?
How thieves steal keyless cars without the key, the simple habits that stop them, and when a ghost immobiliser is worth fitting.
Read more →4 min readWhy Is My Car Overheating?
The common reasons a car overheats, what to do straight away if the temperature gauge climbs, and when it points to a bigger problem.
Read more →4 min readHow Often Should Brake Fluid Be Changed?
Why brake fluid wears out even when the level looks fine, how often it should be changed, and the signs it is overdue.
Read more →4 min readWhat Is the Legal Tyre Tread Depth in the UK?
The UK legal minimum tread depth, how to check your own tyres in a minute, and why it is worth changing them before they hit the limit.
Read more →5 min readThe Most Common MOT Failures and How to Avoid Them
The faults that fail the most cars at MOT time, and the simple checks you can do at home the week before your test.
Read more →4 min readWhat Is Checked in an MOT?
A plain-English guide to what the MOT tester looks at, what is not checked, and how long the test takes.
Read more →4 min readInterim, Full or Major Service: Which Do I Need?
The difference between an interim, full and major car service, what each one covers, and how to choose the right one for your car.
Read more →4 min readWhy Is My Car Air Con Not Blowing Cold?
The common reasons car air conditioning stops blowing cold, when a regas will fix it, and when there is a fault to find first.
Read more →4 min readAdBlue Warning Light On? What to Do
What AdBlue is, what happens if you ignore the warning, how to top up safely, and why the light sometimes stays on after filling.
Read more →4 min readWhat Are the Symptoms of a Faulty EGR Valve?
What the EGR valve does, the signs it is sticking or blocked, and whether cleaning or replacement is the right fix.
Read more →4 min readSigns Your Turbo Is Failing
The warning signs of a failing turbo, what usually causes turbo damage, and why it is worth diagnosing before buying a new one.
Read more →4 min readWhat Are the Signs of a Blown Head Gasket?
The symptoms of a head gasket failure, the things that look like one but are not, and why you should stop driving if you suspect it.
Read more →4 min readWhen Should I Change My Cambelt?
How to find your cambelt change interval, why a snapped timing belt is so expensive, and what a proper cambelt job should include.
Read more →4 min readHow Do I Know If My Clutch Is Going?
The signs a clutch is wearing out, what else can cause the same symptoms, and how to make your next clutch last longer.
Read more →4 min readWhy Does My Car Battery Go Flat in Cold Weather?
Why batteries fail on the first cold mornings, the warning signs to watch for, and how Smethwick drivers can avoid a no-start this winter.
Read more →4 min readDo I Need to Change My Antifreeze Before Winter?
What antifreeze does, how to check it, and when a coolant change is worth doing before the cold weather arrives in Smethwick.
Read more →4 min readWhy Does My DPF Light Come On More in Winter?
Short, cold journeys stop diesel particulate filters cleaning themselves. What the DPF light means and what to do about it.
Read more →3 min readWhen Is My MOT Due?
Check your MOT due date and understand the 3-year rule. Simple guide for Smethwick drivers.
Read more →4 min readHow Often Should I Service My Car?
Interim, full, and major services explained. Find the right schedule for your driving.
Read more →4 min readWhat To Do When Your Engine Warning Light Comes On
Solid vs flashing warning lights. How to diagnose the issue safely.
Read more →4 min readWhy Is My Car Making a Grinding Noise When I Brake?
Worn brake pads, stone ingress, or seized calipers. How to tell what is wrong.
Read more →4 min readWhy Won't My Car Start?
Dead battery, starter motor, or fuel pump. Diagnostic guide for Smethwick drivers.
Read more →4 min readWhy Is My Car Pulling to One Side?
Tyre pressure, brake drag, or wheel alignment. Three common causes explained.
Read more →4 min readSigns Your Vehicle Suspension Needs Repair
Knocking noises, poor ride, and uneven wear. When to book a suspension check.
Read more →3 min readMOT Advisory vs MOT Failure — What Is the Difference?
Understand what advisories mean and when to fix them before they fail.
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