5 Tips On Increasing The Life Of Your Car

Let’s face it, cars are out of date as soon as you buy them, there’s always a newer model in production and even then, the manufacturer whether it be Vauxhall, Ford or Mercedes are always looking to innovate and take advantage of the latest technology.


And what’s more, is that a car is an expensive investment. So naturally, you want to get your money’s worth before upgrading to a newer model. How might you increase the longevity of my car you may ask.


Well in this guide, we’ll give you 5 tips on what you can do to increase the life of your car.

Tyres

By making sure your tyres are fully pumped up and have the legal amount of tread depth, you can help increase the longevity of your car.


If you’re drinking around with deflated tyres and a worn tread depth, it can be damaging to not just the wheels of your car but also the power. You will need more petrol and power to move the car along, thus it taking more energy than it normally would.


Always make sure your tyres are pumped up and that you have the correct tread depth on your car.

Maintenance Checks

Remember when you learned how to drive, you also had to do some maintenance checks under the bonnet? Well, these checks can also help increase the life of your car.


Engine oil, brake fluid, windscreen wash, battery and general checks under the bonnet of your car can help keep your car on the road for longer.


Running around without any oil or brake fluid can be dangerous, so you want to make sure these are topped up, at least on a monthly basis.

Fuel

The most important factor here is to always make sure you’re filling your car with the correct fuel type whether that’s petrol or diesel. Otherwise, this can be damaging to your car and quite expensive to fix.


And where possible opt-in for the higher quality fuel, it may be more expensive, but it can impact your engine components and help improve the longevity of the vehicle.

Interior

Perhaps one of the easiest tasks on this list it to make sure your car is clean. We’ve specifically mentioned the interior, but you should not forget the exterior too. Keeping the seats clean, the footwells clean and the overall interior and exterior body work of the car can help keep the car looking relatively new, even if it’s a few years old.

Service

And finally, you should always get your car booked in for a service.


Issues that may be spotted earlier on may end up being cheaper to fix. And servicing your car also increases the resale value and may lengthen the longevity of the car.


Not to mention, this could also help you save money on your MOT. One of the worst things about having an MOT is whether or not it will pass or fail.


By servicing your car, it reduces the risk of any nasty surprises when you take your car in for it’s MOT.

5 Most Common Reasons Cars Fail Their MOT

As we settle into the new decade, many of us are already starting to consider what’s on the calendar for the upcoming year. For all motorists, it’s the usual MOT, yearly service or perhaps some essential maintenance work that we’ve been putting off for a month or two.

But if you have your MOT rapidly approaching, you might be starting to think about whether your car is going to pass its test or not. If your keen to see your car pass with flying colours, let's take a look at the 5 most common reasons why cars end up failing their MOT in the first place!

Signalling & Lights

Did you know that just under 20% of vehicles that go for their MOT test fail due to an issue with their lights?

Whether this is a blown headlight or registration bulb, or the indicators not functioning as they should, a simple check before heading to the test centre could help you avoid a disappointing fail certificate!

Suspension

With the harsh Winter months taking their toll on the roads here in the UK, the frequent emerging potholes can cause a multitude of issues for your vehicle. From a leaky shock absorber to a snapped spring, over 13% of failed MOT’s are caused by issues relating to the suspension.

Brakes

As a motorist, we understand the importance of having safe brakes that are in good working order. But did you know that an alarming 10% of MOTs fail every year due to having issues with the braking system?

Listening out for any grinding or loud squeaking noises may indicate that your brake pads are running low.

Tyres

Despite all the nifty safety mod-cons, your car isn’t fully safe unless the tyres carrying you from A to B are in tip-top condition. Continuously driving on poor tyres that aren’t fit for purpose is a disaster waiting to happen.

Ensure your tread on your tyres are free from bulges, cuts and that your tread is at least 1.6mm.

Visibility

Being able to see where you are driving is a pretty essential aspect of driving safely on the road. However, an alarming number of motorists fail their MOT every year due to impaired visibility issues.

From cracks and chips in the driver's eye line to air fresheners and sat-navs obstructing the line of view, more than 7% of motorists fail their MOT due to these reasons.

5 Tips To Help Keep You On The Road This Winter

5 Tips To Help Keep You On The Road This Winter

Let’s face it there is never a convenient time to break down on the roads, but during the cold Winter months breaking down is something many drivers are keen to avoid. So, you will be pleased to know that there are actually a few things that you can do during those colder months to help you avoid breaking down!

Check Your Fuel Level

This might sound obvious step to take, but it’s often the simplest of hurdles that often end up tripping us up in the long run. Before heading out ensure that you have enough fuel to get you to and from your destination if harsher weather was to hit.

Nobody wants to be stuck in the snow with no fuel!

Tyre Tread

Although the legal minimum requirement of the tread is 1.6mm, during those colder months of the year it is recommended that drivers have 3mm of tread on their tyres. This is to better aid traction and grip should you encounter ice or snow on the roads.

Having too little tread is not only illegal in the UK, but it will also impair your ability to drive safely in adverse weather conditions.

Oil Level

Checking your oil level is essential all year-round, simply checking the level regularly with the dipstick can help you to avoid breaking down when you least need it. Running your vehicle dangerously low on oil can have serious mechanical implications.

Keep Your Screenwash Topped Up

During the Winter months, there is a greater amount of dirt and grit on the roads, which naturally results in filthy windscreens. Ensuring that your screenwash is topped up with a quality pre-mix which is effective down to -15 is essential.

Avoid A Frozen Engine With Coolant

On those colder mornings, the last thing you want to encounter whilst rushing off to work is a frozen engine. If you keep your car serviced regularly, you shouldn’t need to top up the coolant, however, if you’re heading out on a long journey it’s always best practice to check first.