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Car Maintenance - your questions answered

06/09/2011

Here at Grants we fully understand how important it is to service and maintain your car.  However we also understand how daunting it can be for some of you so we thought we'd put together some frequently asked questions to help make it less daunting!

Q What are the best ways to keep my car in good condition?

A It is a good idea to regularly clean your car inside and out, keep it topped up with oil and make sure you get it serviced when it is due.  There are also helpful tips in your manufacturer handbook on how to check the oil and coolant levels, as well as the condition of your tyres.  Keep a look out for any warning symbols that may appear on your dashboard - your handbook will help you understand what these symbols mean.

Grants SEAT says: "If you don't have time to keep your car clean why not pop it in for a valet.  Also if you are unsure about topping up your oil or coolant levels just pop in and we'll show you how!  Finally we are happy to check your tyres for you to ensure they are safe and legal”.  

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Q My car is running fine.  Do I still need to get it serviced?

A Yes.  It is important that your car is serviced at regular intervals according to your specific manufacturer guidelines.  Every car manufacturer will carefully calculate how long their vehicles can be driven without the need for certain parts to be checked.  Keeping your services up to date will enable you to enjoy your car, safe in the knowledge that it has undergone all the appropriate checks.

Grants SEAT says: "Having your car serviced not only keeps it in tip top condition but keeps you mobile to get to work, take the kids to school and all those other important reasons you have a car.  It will also improve the re-sell value when you come to sell it". 

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Q How do I know when I need to get my car serviced?

A Most cars require a service approximately every 12 months from new - or sooner if they reach a certain mileage set by the car manufacturer.  Don't worry your dealer should contact you when a service is due.  Some cars have a symbol which appears on the dashboard when a service is needed.  If this appears contact your dealer and arrange an appointment.

Grants SEAT says: "Having your car serviced with us couldn't be any easier - we'll phone you before your service is due to give you plenty of notice to get it booked in.  If you don't want to wait we have a selection of courtesy vehicles and for our local customers we have a collection and delivery service".

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Q My car needs some repairs, what happens now?

A If your car requires work and you can still drive it, you should contact your dealer to make an appointment.  Your dealer may be able to collect your car from your home address and return it to you when the repairs are done.  Alternatively they may have the facility to offer you a courtesy car while your car is being repaired.  If your car has broken down you will need to call your emergency breakdown service and they will come out and try and repair your car if they can, or recover it to the dealership if further repairs are needed.

Grants SEAT says: "Once your car is with us we'll deal with everything for you.  We will keep in touch to let you know how your car is and what needs doing along with the cost before we actually start any work.  If the repairs are going to take some time to rectify we'll do our very best to supply a courtesy car to keep you mobile".

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Q The oil in my car needs topping up - where can I get this from?

A Your dealer should be able to supply the correct oil.  Check the manufacturer handbook for help and make sure you don't overfill it as this can result in damage to some components.  Check your dipstick carefully to establish the oil level.

Grants SEAT says: "We stock engine oil which is recommended by the manufacturer to ensure your engine is running to its optimum level".

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Q What is an MOT test and when do I need to get this done?

A When three years old your car will require an MOT test certificate.  A MOT test, or Ministry of Transport test, checks the condition of the important safety related items on your car - this will include checking your tyres, brakes, body condition, fuel system, lights, exhaust, seat belts, exhaust emissions, steering and suspension. 

Grants SEAT says: "Like with servicing we will contact you just before your MOT is due to give you plenty of time to get it booked in at a time that suits you.  If your car fails we will contact you immediately to confirm what needs to be done and the cost to put it right".

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There has been a lot of media coverage exposing service centres who charge customers for work they didn't need or for parts that didn't need replacing.  The team at Grants are totally committed to customer service and endeavour to work in a fair and transparent way at all times to ensure total customer satisfaction and trust.

We are accredited by Motor Codes, who are a Government backed body that regulate the way service centres operate to avoid dishonesty and lack of transparency.

For more information on how Motor Codes operate and to see what our customers say about us click here.