Don’t wait for your MOT to check your vehicle is in working order. There are several car maintenance checks you can do yourself to ensure your car is roadworthy.

Car Maintenance Checks

1. Tyre tread

Your car’s tyres are very important, so inspect them frequently – especially the tread depth. Making sure each tyre has enough tread is vital to make your car grip in the wet. Each tyre on your vehicle must have 1.6mm of tread or more. If you are caught with tyres with tread depths below the limit, you will get a fine and points on your licence – per tyre.

2. Tyre pressure

As well as tread depth, measure tyre pressure regularly. Your vehicle’s handling can be erratic if your tyres are wrongly inflated, and it affects grip. This is dangerous at high speeds. The correct tyre pressures are in your car manual or door sill.

3. Engine oil levels

Checking the engine oil is easy. Make sure the engine is cold then open the bonnet. Find the dipstick, pull it out of its tube and wipe off the excess oil with a cloth. Push it all the way in and pull it out again, looking where the oil stuck to it. Markings on the end indicate if your oil level is low.

4. Lights

You should check your headlights, indicators, reversing, fog and brake lights all work properly. This is quick to do and easier if someone helps you. Alternatively, park by a window and use the reflection.

5. Screen Wash and windscreen wipers

Make sure your wipers don’t leave streaks or smears on the window and top up your windscreen fluid if it gets low.

Car Clinic MOT Centre –Ellesmere Port garage

Car Clinic MOT Centre Ellesmere Port garage, is the place to go for your Ellesmere Port MOT. For a free quote for car repairs Ellesmere Port, Ellesmere port car servicing or new tyres Ellesmere Port than just give them a ring on 0151 3390101.

Some people are concerned that their car warranty will be invalidated if they cannot get their car serviced during the coronavirus outbreak.

Will the Coronavirus Shutdown affect my car warranty?

In normal times, failing to have your car serviced in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines can invalidate your warranty. The time between services, ensuring that your garage uses the right approved parts and having all of the specified work carried out is very important. However, due to the current crisis situation, most experts believe that the usual rules will have to be altered to account for the fact many garages are closed down and non-essential use of cars is prohibited.

What About My MOT?

The government has announced that MOTs falling due while the lockdown is in progress can be delayed by six months. You still must keep your car roadworthy and will need to have your car MOT test done eventually, but you at least have a grace period before the MOT is required.

After the Lockdown

After the lockdown has ended, your local garage will be able to complete any service work or MOTs that are due and make sure your car is roadworthy. It is a good idea to have a general health check of your vehicle at this point, as the battery and other key components will have been allowed to stand for a long time and could be at greater risk of failure.

Car Clinic MOT Centre

Our Ellesmere port garage is currently closed until Monday 27th April in the interests of the health, safety and well-being of our customers as well as our staff. Please continue to check our Facebook page for updates, as we will be staying connected with our valued MOT Ellesmere Port, tyres Ellesmere Port & car garages Ellesmere Port customers. Look after one another, we will see you soon.