Smart Motorways: What Are They And How Do They Work?

The image shows a map of the smart motorway network in England and what category each motorway falls under.

What are smart motorways? Smart motorways were designed to improve safety, reduce congestion, and increase capacity on England’s busiest motorways. They use variable speed limits, hard shoulder running, and automated lane signals to effectively manage traffic. Variable speed limits allow the Highways Agency to adjust the limit depending on the amount of traffic.  Hard shoulder … Read more

Interim vs Full Service: What’s The Difference?

Mechanic doing a car service

An Interim Service has fewer checks and part replacements than the Full Service, it is less comprehensive. Generally, it is recommended that a full service should be conducted once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. An interim service on the other hand is conducted every 6 months or 6000 miles and is … Read more

What is a Pitted Brake Disc and How to Fix It

brake disc close up

A common type of brake wear that can occur over time is pitted brake discs. A mechanic may advise during your annual service that you have pitted brake discs or you may notice some grooves or unusual ‘pits’ on your brake discs. In this article, we’ll take a look at what pitted brake discs are, … Read more

How to Troubleshoot a Starter Motor

mechanic inspecting starter motor in engine

A starter motor is a key component in starting a car, and it is often the first thing to fail on an older car. Although it is a common source of a problem, it may not always be an easy one to identify. This article will help get you started with diagnosing a starter motor … Read more

How to Deal with Rusty Brake Discs

Car brake disc

You’ve inspected your brakes and noticed that the brake discs have corroded. The rust that has formed on the discs will mean your braking power has reduced and you’re likely experiencing a pulsation when stepping on the brakes. What do you do next? This article will provide you with answers on how to deal with … Read more

MOT advisories: What do they mean?

Car exhaust emissions

If you’ve got an ‘advisory note’ on your recent MOT, you’re probably a bit concerned about what this means and what you need to do next. This article covers everything you need to know about MOT advisories. What is an MOT advisory? An MOT advisory is a warning issued by an MOT examiner when they … Read more

DIY: How to check your Engine Oil Level

checking oil level in car

Did you know that most car experts reckon you should check your engine oil at least once a month? To ensure that your engine remains well lubricated it is very important to check and top up your engine oil regularly. If the engine oil level drops too much there is a real danger of engine … Read more