Do you have questions about car maintenance or opinions on your previous experiences when sorting out an MOT or service? Ask Quick Lane - £200 voucher to be won

[LucyBMumsnet]

Quick Lane CEO David Alexander and Centre Manager Vicky Oakes have answered Mumsnet users questions on car maintenance and MOTs. Click here to read what they had to say.

Your car’s MOT may have you worrying about the amount of work that will need doing, how long your car could be out of action for and how much you’ll be out of pocket, but it’s crucial that your vehicle can get you from A to B safely. However, lots of people find the world of car maintenance and servicing confusing, and aren’t sure about what they should expect.

With this in mind, Quick Lane is here to help answer your questions about the car servicing industry and what you should expect when you’re getting an MOT or your car serviced. They’d like to hear about the experiences you’ve had in the past, and whether there’s anything putting you off of engaging more heavily with car maintenance, so that they can help you understand how to have a less stressful experience in the future. Quick Lane CEO David Alexander and Centre Manager Vicky Oakes will be answering your questions.

Do you have questions about whether your experience of car servicing or getting an MOT was what it should be? Perhaps you have questions about the car servicing industry and your perceptions of it? If you’re distrustful of the car servicing industry, perhaps you have questions about what you should look out for?

Here’s what Quick Lane has to say: “Quick Lane is a movement to change previously disappointing, intimidating or surprising interactions when looking to get your car serviced or worse, in a disruptive situation like a punctured tyre or an MOT failure. At Quick Lane our ambition is to build a business whereby a community of vehicle owners can be confident that any question regarding their vehicle will be addressed in the right way by experts – we’re supporting this with our Quality Assurance Check. It doesn’t cost Quick Laner Customers anything and we complete them on all the vehicles we see to provide our customers with all the information they need to keep them and their families safe and mobile.”

Want to know who will be responding to your questions and comments? Find some information on David and Vicky from Quick Lane below:

David Alexander, Quick Lane CEO
David has been the CEO of Quick Lane for just over a year, after working for likes of British Gas and Europcar. He was brought into Quick Lane for his experience within customer services and his non-automotive background to try and bring new energy to the sector rather than the tried and tested.

Vicky Oakes, Quick Lane Centre Manager
Vicky started her time with Quick Lane as a Service Advisor receiving high volumes of 5-star customer reviews. Because of her dedication to customer satisfaction and continuing the brand mission detailed earlier by CEO David Alexander, Vicky has been promoted to Centre Manager.

Whether you’ve got a burning question or an experience to share, let Quick Lane know by posting on this thread and their experts will join the conversation and address some of the queries raised.

All who post on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

@Summergarden

I always wonder which level of service is worth paying for. There are bronze, silver and gold levels at my garage with price tags to match and I usually opt for bronze as have low mileage. Would a gold level likely save money further down the line?

Hi @summergarden, and thanks for this very good question.

A gold service would ensure that other items are included, whereas a bronze service would just replace the oil and oil filter. However, the air filter and spark plugs should be replaced, depending on the vehicle age.

I hope that's helpful!

• Vicky

@jitterbugintomybrain

Is it better to have a service at the official dealer eg. Volvo, or are independent garages just as good and better value?

Hi @jitterbugintomybrain, and thank you for your question.

The good thing here is you can’t go wrong – simply pick the centre that suits your needs and budget best. Choose based on recommendations, previous experience and maybe in the way they deal with your initial enquiry.

Independent centres can offer the same as a dealer, sometimes at a discounted rate – there could be a variety of reasons for this, including building and staff overheads. Main dealers may have higher costs, but you could also have an existing relationship with them if your purchased your car direct – and it’s always nice to continue a valued relationship.

I would always say to do some research to ensure that the centre has good reviews and are reputable – ask a friend or Google, and then choose the centre that feels right for you, your needs and your budget.

• Vicky

@NowImmeagain

The orange engine maintenance light has come on several times in my Merc A180 12 reg. What triggers this? I've been told various things by the garage but it kept coming on again. The last time they says the fuel injection needed recollaborating and it should now be sorted. So far, so good! Why couldn't they tell the first few times if they run a diagnostic check?

How often do tyres really need air putting in? I hate doing it and there's no one else to do it. Is there anywhere that will do this for a very small fee? Without making me feel stupid!

Thanks.

Hi @NowImmeagain – thanks for your question!

The EML will illuminate for a whole host of different reasons. If a fault's detected anywhere on the vehicle, it will always illuminate this one light, warning that there's a problem. Sometimes when a diagnostic is done to read any problems within the engine, it can display a number of different faults. Some faults can mask others, so while a starting point is given, it does not definitively say what the issue is. The checks are run many times, as it's a process of elimination to find the root cause.

Tyre pressure is not just a safety issue – it can also affect the car's efficiency and directly affect fuel consumption, so a regular check every six months would be advised. You may also see that more modern cars have tyre pressure alerts that will light up in colder conditions where additional air may be needed. Lots of petrol stations have air pumps, and the large majority of cars have the pressure needed on the inside of the car when the car door is open. Air pressure checks should be part of most centres' vehicle health checks – we offer ours for free as part of our commitment to keeping our Quick Laners on the road.

I hope that helps!

• Vicky

@Montydoo

If you do not get your service done by a dealership (which costs an arm and a leg) is it worth the risk - it's less than half the price at my local garage, and with my car being 3 years old - if there is a major engine fault would the warranty be affected by not having the service done with them - if I have all of my service stamps. ? TIA

Hi @Montydoo! Many thanks for your question.

As long as you have the service completed by a VAT-registered garage and the garage uses approved parts and the correct oil grade for your vehicle, any warranty claim would be honoured.

I hope that reassures you!

• Vicky

@BoobsOnTheMoon

Do you give your staff any guidance on who to address their talk about the car and any repairs needed to if a couple come in? My DP doesn't drive but on more than one occasion when we have taken the car to a garage together (if he's been with me for some reason), the staff have directed all their questions and comments to him despite watching me get out of the drivers seat

I now walk out of any garage where that happens. Luckily I've found a great local mechanic (not part of a chain, they're the worst in my experience) who are always mindful of the fact it's my bloody car!!

Hi @BoobsOnTheMoon. Thanks very much for your question, and I understand your concern.

Being a lady myself, I always lead by example, actively encouraging all staff to approach customers as equals. I can see why this might happen in an all-male environment (although it is, of course, unacceptable) but I do believe the motor industry is taking giant leaps forward in this area as a whole...and not before time!

I'm so pleased to hear you've nevertheless found a great local mechanic who's respectful.

• Vicky

Thanks so much - that will certainly save me money - approved parts it is then - thanks so much for the great answers

I've had such negative experiences with car servicing, that I leave everything to my family now.

How would you know if the parts used are approved and/or genuine?

My MOT was due this week. I booked the service and mot ages ago as we are shielding, so have got the pick up service to save having to go out.
I had a call last week postponing service and MOT as the garage has been hit by covid so is currently closed. They’ve booked me in for when they reopen, first available slot with pick up, but it will be after my MOT runs out.

Luckily we won’t need to use it for those few days and the person collecting will be able to drive it as it’s going to get its test, but I worry about being stung with extra work that isn’t really necessary because they know I can’t take it away for a second opinion. I’ve had it happen even when I have been able to take it away in the past, and had some nasty unexpected bills as a result. Doubly annoying when the car doesn’t seem to drive any differently afterwards.

Is there any way to check the work is really necessary? (It’s a dealership eather than independent).
I usually don’t bother with the extra flushes and superboost thing that are offered as add ons to the service as have tried occasionally and they don’t seem to do much but wonder if I should occasionally in case it will stop them from doing other big unnecessary work or if they really do help later down the line.

I think I’m cynical as I know people have tried to take advantage in the past and when my dad was alive he was an engineer so knew exactly what was what and could make sure I wasn’t getting ripped off. But now - it gets hard to tell what’s really needed and what isn’t. Doubly so with the MOT being expired this time when they do it...
Thanks, hope that makes sense!

@barricade

We've recently had a MOT completed on our new (-ish) Peugeot car. Quick process, no faults. 3 weeks later, a 'spanner' symbol has started appearing on the car dashboard indicating car service is due. It's easy to reset the dashboard setting, but if there is a genuine fault with car, it will not be addressed. Did the garage miss a fault, and if not, surely they should have reset the counter?

Is it recommended we visit the garage again for anothercar check / service?

Hi @barricade – many thanks for your question, and I'm happy to help with this.

The spanner light is indicating that a service is due. This is not something that would have been present at the time of the MOT test, and if it was present it wouldn't fail an MOT. All that the technician would be expected to do is advise the customer that the vehicle is due a service.

Resetting the light is also not recommended, as the warning is there to remind you that the car needs regular maintenance e.g. your service needs carrying out.

• Vicky

@ohdannyboy

My last MOT gave me some 'recommended' work - not essentials, one of which was tyres - I want to replace all four, but can only afford 2 this month and two next - what would you recommend front or back first ? which is the more important ? (and are remoulds any good for all 4) my mileage is quite low as i am WFH for the foreseeable

Hi @ohdannyboy, and thanks for this great question.

Which tyres to change would depend on the 'recommended work'. Are some tyres worn more than others?

If you were just to change two, I'd recommend that you change the two on the same axle, either front or back.

I hope that helps!

• Vicky

@HouseholdBubblesandEeeeek

What’s the best way of checking the reliability of a mechanic/garage for doing services and MOTs?

Hi @HouseholdBubblesandEeeeek – that's a very good question!

I'd always say to do your research by checking the company reviews on TrustPilot – that's your best bet.

I hope that's helpful!

• Vicky

@SillyMoomin

Why are some MOT’s more expensive than others? Surely an mot should be a standard price as they only do the same thing?

Hi @SillyMoomin, and many thanks for your very good question.

The maximum that you can be charged for an MOT test is £54.85 (for a class 4 car). However, dealers and independent garages can charge anything below that. Some may choose to discount this to increase trade, for example.

• Vicky

@m0jit0

I'm always so nervous that my car will fail it's MOT. Is there things that we can do before hand or check ourselves before booking it in?

Hi @m0jit0. Thanks for your question!

Cars fail their MOT test due to issues with their tyres, specifically tyre tread. This is something that can be checked at home prior to booking your MOT without the need for any expensive equipment.

If you're at all unsure, pop to a centre and ask them to have a quick look for you. I hope that's helpful!

• Vicky

@Nootkah

At what age of cat is it no longer worth having a car serviced by a main dealer?

Hi @Nootkah, and many thanks for your question.

A vehicle doesn't have to be serviced by a main dealer. As long as the service schedule is adhered to and approved parts and correct oils are used, then any warranty claim will be honoured.

I hope that helps!

• Vicky

Thanks to everyone who posted a question for the experts at Quick Lane to answer. The winner of the prize draw is @shrill - congratulations!

What should we do to a car to help condensation building up in the winter inside the car?