FAQ’s2020-05-26T08:08:57+00:00

Car MOT

What MOT class does my car fall into?2019-07-18T15:45:34+00:00

Class 4 MOT:  

  • cars (up to 8 passengers) & motorcaravans 
  • 3 wheeled vehicles 
  • ambulance and taxis (may be subject to further testing) 
  • Goods Vehicles (up to 3000 kg DGW) 
  • Private passenger vehicles (9-12 seats)
  • Private Hire Vehicles (up to 8 seats) – may be subject to further testing 
  • Dual-Purpose Vehicles 

Class 5 MOT:  

  • Private passengers 
  • 13-16 passenger vehicles 
  • More than 16 passenger vehicles
  • Ambulances
  • Play Buses 

Class 7 MOT:  

  • Goods Vehicles – 3000kg DGW – 3500kg DGW
When is MOT due on a new car?2019-07-18T15:45:14+00:00

You do not need to MOT your car until it is 3 years old.

How often does my car need a MOT?2019-07-18T15:44:46+00:00

You do not need to MOT your car until it is 3 years old. After this, you must get a valid MOT certificate which should be renewed once every 12 months. Failing to MOT your car is illegal and you can land yourself a hefty fine as well as points on your license.

What happens if I fail my Car MOT?2019-08-01T10:11:35+00:00

If you fail your car MOT, our vehicle technicians will advise you on the reasons for this failure. Once we have discussed this, we will plan the next steps in order to ensure that your car is road safe. But, don’t worry – your re-test will be completely free of charge within 10 days of your car MOT failure.

How can I improve my chances of passing a MOT?2019-08-01T10:06:16+00:00

As MOT standards have changed to become stricter, it is essential that you prevent any smaller faults from showing during your MOT, to improve your chances of passing your MOT the first-time round.

  • A very common reason for failing your MOT is down to the condition of your lights. Switch on all your lights and check no bulbs have blown including your brake lights, indicators, headlights, taillights, fog lights and hazard lights.
  • Ensure your tyres are inflated to its correct pressure. The minimum tyre tread depth standard is 1.6mm.
  • It is vital that you check that there is nothing distorting your view of the road. This includes checking your wiper blades are functioning correctly and ensuring there are no cracks/chips on your windscreen.
  • It sounds very minor, but it is important that your horn is working correctly, as it is a vital function to alert other drivers of your presence.
  • Check your brake fluid levels to ensure it is above the minimum level and below the maximum level.
  • Your brakes are very important to safe driving, so check your handbrake as your cable may need adjusting if it is difficult to handle.

Van MOT

What happens if I fail my Van MOT?2019-08-01T10:13:09+00:00

If you fail your van MOT, our vehicle technicians will advise you on the reasons for this failure. Once we have discussed this, we will plan the next steps in order to ensure that your van is fully road safe. But, don’t worry – your re-test will be completely free of charge within 10 days of your van MOT failure.

What class is my van for MOT?2019-07-22T11:22:29+00:00

All you need to do is bring your van in, and we will handle the rest. We cover class 4, class 5 and class 7 vehicles – contact our experts today to find out more.

How can I improve my chances of passing a MOT?2019-08-01T10:06:16+00:00

As MOT standards have changed to become stricter, it is essential that you prevent any smaller faults from showing during your MOT, to improve your chances of passing your MOT the first-time round.

  • A very common reason for failing your MOT is down to the condition of your lights. Switch on all your lights and check no bulbs have blown including your brake lights, indicators, headlights, taillights, fog lights and hazard lights.
  • Ensure your tyres are inflated to its correct pressure. The minimum tyre tread depth standard is 1.6mm.
  • It is vital that you check that there is nothing distorting your view of the road. This includes checking your wiper blades are functioning correctly and ensuring there are no cracks/chips on your windscreen.
  • It sounds very minor, but it is important that your horn is working correctly, as it is a vital function to alert other drivers of your presence.
  • Check your brake fluid levels to ensure it is above the minimum level and below the maximum level.
  • Your brakes are very important to safe driving, so check your handbrake as your cable may need adjusting if it is difficult to handle.

Car Service

How much is a car service?2019-07-22T14:03:09+00:00

Contact us on 01902 715 055 to find out how much your car service will cost.

How long does a car service take?2021-09-09T07:53:54+00:00

Generally, a car service takes between 1.5 hours to 3 hours, depending on the type of service you opt for.

Van Service

How much to service a transit van?2019-07-31T06:47:18+00:00

Contact our friendly team on 01902 715 055 and we can tell you how much your transit van service will cost and when we can book you in.

Tyres

Can I book in my vehicle to have my tyres replaced?2020-01-28T12:15:50+00:00

Whatever service you need from us, give us a call and let us know when you would like to book in and what for.

What is the difference between a summer and winter tyre?2020-01-28T12:15:09+00:00

Winter tyres are made to provide improved driving performance in conditions below 7 degrees celsius.

How will I know that my wheels need balancing?2020-01-28T12:13:08+00:00

You may notice the steering wheel begin to wobble when driving at a high speed.

When do I know if my tyres need replacing?2020-01-28T12:11:21+00:00

A tyre should be replaced when 3mm or less of the tread is remaining. The legal limit for a car tyre in the UK is 1.6mm across three-quarters of the tread. If your tyre shows signs of ageing, damage or abnormal wear. 

How do I find my tyre size?2020-01-28T12:10:20+00:00

The best way to find out which tyre size you need is to check the side wall of your existing tyres. If you are unsure, we are happy to take a look for you.

Bodywork

Can I book in my vehicle to have my repairs completed?2020-01-30T10:17:03+00:00

Whatever service you need from us, give us a call and let us know when you would like to book in and what for.

How will I be kept informed of the progress with my repair?2020-01-30T10:16:59+00:00

Once we have the go-ahead, we will let you know how long it will take and are always a phone call away if you need to ask us any questions. We will also let you know of a time slot for when you can collect your car after completion.

How long will it take to repair my damages?2020-01-30T10:16:56+00:00

We are repairing an accident damaged vehicle for you, this is a very skilful manual process, so please do note that the time estimate we give once we know the damage is the shortest it will be.

Will my car be repaired to the same standard as the insurance company recommended repairer?2020-01-30T10:16:51+00:00

Yes. As an independent garage from the insurance company, you are our client and the quality of our service is always maintained.

How will I get to work whilst my car is being repaired?2020-01-30T10:13:27+00:00

If we are repairing your vehicle that is going through an insurance claim, you will need to speak to them regarding a replacement car.

General Queries

What parts are changed in a service?2019-08-06T05:48:11+00:00

Each type of service by Auto Surefit, build upon the previous level. So the basic service will typically include an oil and filter change and a visual inspection. For more information please contact us on – 01902 715 055

How many months can you go without an oil change?2019-08-06T05:48:36+00:00

Normally, when you get to every 3,000 miles, or every 3 months you should. Now that most smart vehicles are able to tell you when an oil change is necessary, many people bring their vehicle in when this shows.

Do I have to get my car serviced at the dealership?2019-08-06T05:48:59+00:00

You are not required, since October 2003, to get your car serviced by a franchise dealer. So, good news, you can get it done with a local garage like us!

Do I need to bring anything upon my arrival?2019-08-06T05:49:29+00:00

It might be obvious, but you’ll need to bring your vehicle! Also, previous certification is not required as we’re able to look up details via the DVSA system. If you’re having a MOT and service at the same time, in some cases you might need to take along your logbook/service history. Just give us a ring and we can let you know what to bring.

How often do I need an MOT?2019-08-06T05:49:53+00:00

You will need to make sure that you have a MOT every year, on or before the anniversary of its previous test date. Not only is this for the safety of your vehicle, this is also a legal requirement.

I have lost my MOT certificate, what can I do?2019-08-06T05:50:12+00:00

You can get a duplicate certificate if you go back to the garage where the vehicle was tested, tell them the approximate date of the test and they should be able to help. Please note there may be a fee.

How can I best maintain my car or van in the future?2019-08-06T05:50:41+00:00

Caring for your vehicle saves you money. Getting your car or van serviced each year as well as maintaining it between them will ensure catching problems early on means vehicles are cheaper to fix, will have a better resale value and a longer life.

I’m a new driver with an old car, will a lot of work need doing?2019-08-06T05:51:10+00:00

Sometimes, but as long as you keep your vehicle often serviced and kept in the best possible condition, work done on it should be minimal

Does a van MOT and service take longer than it does with a car?2019-08-06T05:51:28+00:00

Not always. Usually MOT’s take around 45 – 60 minutes long and servicing up to 3 hours.

Do you keep vehicles overnight?2019-08-06T05:51:49+00:00

Only if necessary, we will keep vehicles overnight, but generally we like to make sure our customers get their vehicles back up and running.

If parts need replacing, can I buy my own parts and then Auto Surefit install them?2019-08-06T05:52:12+00:00

Sure – If you can find the cheapest part somewhere else than we can, go ahead! Let us know when you have it and our team can get to work fitting it.

Can you let me know what is needed to pass the MOT if I fail?2019-08-06T05:52:29+00:00

Auto Surefit will report back to you what issues we faced when trying to pass your MOT, so that you know what needs fixing.

How long does the whole process take?2019-08-06T05:52:53+00:00

Our services are quick and suitable, ranging from next daythe same-day or even done in a couple of hours!

How much does your MOT and servicing cost?2019-08-06T05:53:13+00:00

With prices varying based on the vehicle typeit can be from as little as £40 – However if your MOT does fail, just bring it back to us within 10 days and we’ll happily provide a free re-test. For more information, give us a call to enquire on 01902 715 055.