Mechanic holding a wet belt before checking if car has a wet belt or not.

Does my car have a wet belt?

Understanding your car's engine components is crucial for proper maintenance. One such component is the wet belt, also known as an oil-immersed timing belt. Wet belts are becoming more common in modern vehicles, especially in newer models and brands like...

MOT Tester checking a wheel during an MOT Test

How much is an MOT Test?

Navigating the world of vehicle maintenance can be daunting. One crucial aspect is the MOT test, a mandatory annual inspection in the UK. Understanding the costs involved is essential for every vehicle owner. The price of an MOT test can...

Image showing an mot tester conducting a fast and efficient mot

How long does an MOT take?

Understanding the MOT test is crucial for vehicle owners in the UK. It ensures your car meets safety and environmental standards. But how long does an MOT take? The duration of an MOT test can vary. Typically, it takes between...

Close-up of engine oil being poured into a car engine.

What Engine Oil Do I Need for My Car?

Choosing the right engine oil for your car is crucial. It ensures your engine runs smoothly and efficiently. But with so many options, it can be confusing. Engine oil is more than just a lubricant. It reduces friction, prevents wear,...

Close-up of a DSG gear lever inside a car, with control dials and the dashboard softly blurred in the background.

What is a dual clutch transmission? 

If you’ve been car shopping recently or browsing newer cars, you may have seen the term dual clutch transmission (DCT) popping up here and there and wondered what it actually means. It’s becoming an increasingly common feature in modern vehicles,...

An image of a mechanic showing how long it takes to change brake pads

How long does it take to change brake pads?

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, ensuring your brake pads are in optimal condition is crucial for safety. Brake pads are an essential component of your vehicle's braking system. Over time, they wear down and need to be replaced to...

A close-up of old gearbox oil draining out of a transmission pan.

How to change your gearbox oil

Your gearbox oil is a vital component of your vehicle’s transmission system that helps everything to run smoothly - literally. Most of the time, all you need to do is check the level of gearbox oil to ensure it’s not...

A woman uses an analogue tyre gauge to check the depth of her tyre treads.

How to check tyre treads

When you own a vehicle, it’s your responsibility to make sure it stays in good condition, helping to keep yourself and everyone around you safe when you take to the roads. But sometimes, it can be tricky to remember all...

A close up of a driver gripping the gearstick with his left hand while changing gear.

How to tell if a gearbox is going

Even if you do everything you can to maintain your vehicle, natural wear and tear will eventually cause various components within it to weaken and fail. The gearbox is no exception - and, as with many car parts, failure of...

Person changing a tyre on the roadside.

How to change a tyre

At some stage, your car will need to have a new tyre fitted, whether that’s because the old ones have worn down and aren’t safe anymore, or because you’ve had a puncture or blowout. Whatever the case, knowing how to...

A close-up of a vehicle’s gearbox and transmission system.

How does a gearbox work in a car?

Most of the time, it’s only when something goes wrong that we stop and think about the individual components in our vehicles - even in the case of such vital parts as the gearbox. With busy schedules abound, it can...

Close-up of an amber engine management light lit on a vehicle dashboard.

How to turn off your engine management light

Your vehicle’s engine management light (EML) is a vital one to recognise, as it’s designed to show on your dashboard if there’s a fault within your engine that could be dangerous if left unchecked. Also known as the engine warning...

A mechanic rolls a worn down tyre across the floor of an autocentre.

How long do tyres last?

Worn down tyres don’t grip the road as effectively as their fresher counterparts, meaning your vehicle will take longer to stop and may slip more on wet surfaces. This makes it dangerous to drive with them, particularly in adverse conditions...

A dipstick for measuring the level of gearbox oil in a vehicle, seen under the bonnet.

How to check the oil level in your gearbox

The gearbox houses a number of components necessary to allow your vehicle to change gear, making it vital for safe driving. These components interact with one another, and to do so, they need to be well lubricated. That’s where gearbox...

An engine management light or check engine light lit on a vehicle dashboard.

What is the engine management light?

Also known as the ‘check engine’ light, the engine management light is an LED symbol found on the dashboard of your vehicle that helps you to understand when there may be a fault that needs attention. Here, we’ll help you...

A person uses a tyre pressure gauge to check their tyres.

How to check tyre pressure

Take a moment to stop and think. When was the last time you checked your tyre pressure? If it’s been more than a few weeks - or worse, you can’t remember - then it could be time to check your...

A mechanic uses a multimeter to test the voltage of a car battery.

How to test a car battery

Whether you’ve noticed some problems with your car’s power system or you just want to check it on a regular basis, testing your car battery is a good way to keep an eye on its health. It’s something you can...