Car repair

January 16, 2023 by S4LadminPARC

Finding a reliable car garage can feel like an impossible task. A problem with your car can lead to so many others; how can you know who to trust with such an important part of your life?

We’re here to help with a list of questions you need to ask when deciding who to trust with your car.

Is Your Car Garage Experienced?

Always make sure that the mechanics working at your car garage are experienced. Every mechanic has to begin somewhere, but ‘somewhere’ shouldn’t be your car. When checking out a prospective garage, inquire as to how long they’ve been in business. You deserve a mechanic that knows what they’re doing and has the experience to prove it.

Do They Offer a Warranty?

When having your car serviced, you may find that an old part needs to be swapped out for a new one. It is vital that all of these parts enter your car under a warranty. If your car mechanic is not willing to guarantee their work and the parts they use, then why should you be confident in them either?

Is Your Car Garage Local?

It’s one thing to have found a good car garage, but you should also make sure that they are close enough for that to matter. When you are looking into a car garage for the first time, make sure that they’re local. A local car garage makes all car servicing and repairs more convenient and less expensive to fulfil, both for them and for you.

You can find out whether a car garage is actually local to your area in one of a few ways. The simplest is to just ask them. Most car garages will be more than happy to tell you where they are and what area they cover. Another way is to check their website for contact information and listed branches. Finally, you can also put their business name into google maps, which will specifically list the areas your car garage has branches.

Does Your Car Garage Let You See/Keep Your Old Parts?

When having car parts changed, it is essential that you request old parts. One of the main worries that drivers have is that they’ll be hit with exorbitant and useless fees in order to raise prices. A reliable garage will not pressure you to buy unnecessary replacements, especially when it lets you inspect and claim your old parts, as you’ll be able to see whether the part needed replacing yourself.

If you’re worried that your garage has charged you for a new part or repair that wasn’t necessary, contact us today. Our expert team can walk you through what they would have done and whether any removals or replacements were necessary. Just remember to keep those old parts!

How Do They Review?

Find out what the garage’s other customers have to say about them. But where should you look for those reviews?

Anywhere but the company’s website.

A company website is likely to be managed by an IT professional with marketing in mind. They will often filter out ‘inconvenient’ reviews for the sake of their employer to attract you as a customer. This doesn’t make a company inherently untrustworthy, but it does mean that you should look for their reviews elsewhere.

Instead, look for external review sites. These sites make their money by preserving legitimate reviews and offering a complete and honest picture of a company for their users.

Check out our profiles on sites such as Yell, Google My Business, or Which? Trusted Traders for examples of what to look for in a well-reviewed car garage.

Are They Open To Answering Questions?

Choose a car garage that is easy to communicate with. A team of professionals that are happy to talk you through your car repairs are a team of mechanics that: one, know what they’re doing and, two, aren’t trying to overcharge you with jargon-heavy double-speak.

Make sure your car garage is open and willing to answer questions.

Contact PARC For Reliable Car Garage Services In Pontypool

Looking for a car garage you can rely on? Look no further than the Pontypool Accident & Repair Centre. Our experienced and friendly team comes highly reviewed and are happy to answer any questions. We return all of your old parts upon request and offer a robust warranty service. Contact us today to learn more.

May 25, 2021 by S4LadminPARC

Servicing your car is an important part of maintaining your vehicle and extending its lifespan. As car and van servicing experts in Pontypool, we have seen the effects of not servicing your vehicle regularly and know that it is a much more cost-effective way of looking after your vehicle. Our fully equipped garage employs only the best and most experienced mechanics to ensure that the services we conduct leave your vehicle performing better and safer.

Servicing Your Vehicle - Is It Necessary?

If you have noticed the performance of your car or van deteriorating or if it’s been a while since your vehicle has had a service then it might be time to book one in. This will help your car run smoother, perform better and be more cost-effective to drive. Vehicle services are important for indicating any potential problems that might arise in the near future too.

Often preventing breakdowns and larger mechanics bills, having your car serviced at least once a year will improve its efficiency and extend its life. Regular services can also help to hold the value of your car as many buyers want to see a well-kept service history.

It is a common misconception that not servicing your car or van will save you money in the long run however, the reality is that as trained mechanics we do tend to pick up on minor issues starting to occur before they become bigger problems which may end up costing much more money than a service. We advise everybody to have their vehicle fully serviced at least once a year or every 10-12,000 miles. This way your car will be checked in a reasonable time frame for any issues, thereby saving you on costly repair jobs.

The two types of service we offer are interim and full services. These two options serve different purposes in terms of maintaining your vehicle. Your vehicle may require one of our packages, depending on how many miles you drive and when the last service was performed. We have outlined both services here:

What Does Our Interim Service Include?

The interim service we provide includes a thorough inspection of multiple key components to ensure that your vehicle is in good working order. We also replace certain filters and parts, as well as top up fluids. This includes oil filters & fluid plus any others that require topping up for example power steering and window washer fluid.

On top of checking filters and fluids, we also assess the vehicle’s wheel nuts for their torque and adjust them if they need it. There are many other components that our skilled mechanics test for instance tyre pressure, your clutch brake fluid and the power steering reservoir to ensure that your vehicle is safe and performing as best as possible.

The rest of the component checks are conducted before informing you of any minor issues that may need further attention. We check the car or van’s brake pads and discs as well as the depth of tread on your tyres. If we do discover any additional issues that require further work, we will let you know before starting. The aim of our interim car service is to ensure that your car is healthy and working as best as possible before a full service may be required.

Full Car Service - What Is Included?

A much more in-depth and elaborate vehicle service, the full car service that we offer checks many more components than the interim service. We typically recommend booking your service at least once a year or every 10-12,000 miles if you tend to drive your car or van a lot. This will help to make sure your car and you are safe on the road and driving as efficiently as possible.

On top of all of the components checked on the interim service, the full service means more comprehensive checks to all major components of your car or van. Unlike the interim service, we completely empty and change the engine oil and top up other fluids. This can improve your engine health and its efficiency in the long run. Based on the usage of your vehicle and the condition of your air filters, we will change them if necessary. We finish the full service, once all of the in-depth component checks are complete and by topping up the windscreen wash, antifreeze/ coolant and any other fluids that your vehicle requires.

Many makes and models of vehicles are different which is why we conduct our services to the specific vehicle and its specifications. As experienced mechanics, we have knowledge of working with most car and van models meaning we are confident with the varying guidelines set by vehicle manufacturers for services.

How Much Do Car Services Cost?

Both of the car services we provide are completed at our Pontypool-based independent mechanics. The cost of a vehicle service varies based on whether or not your car or van needs extra maintenance to be safe. We provide high-quality automotive services at affordable rates.

Contact Us To Find Out More Information On Car Servicing Pontypool

For more information or to book your vehicle in for a service then contact us today. Our team of expert mechanics will be happy to help answer any question you might have and advise you on the right service for your vehicle.

July 29, 2019 by S4LadminPARC

If you are looking for some useful and easy car maintenance tips, then you have come to the right place. Here at The Pontypool Accident & Repair Centre, we are experts in vehicle repairs and getting cars back to their best condition. However, there are some quick basic checks that you can carry out yourself. By maintaining your cars quality, breakdowns and costly repairs can be avoided in the future. Keep reading our article below for our handy tips.

Daily Car Checks

If you drive your car every day, then you should be alert to any changes. If your engine is not running as smoothly or your brakes or steering feels odd, do not ignore these warning signs! Many breakdowns can also be battery related. If you start your car and the engine turns over slowly, then it could be a sign that your battery is on its way out.

You should also keep an eye on your tyres as any damage or loss of pressure requires attention. It is also important to be aware of the fuel gauge, as breakdowns from an empty tank are all too common. If you notice anything that looks unusual, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Weekly Vehicle Maintenance

During the week it is important to check and top up the windscreen washer fluid. This is especially if you need to change the liquid for ice in the winter, or to remove bugs in the summer. Also, it is a good idea to keep your windows, mirrors and lights clean. This also gives you the chance to see if all your lights are working as they should. So basically, take general care of your car to ensure little jobs don’t build up.

Tyres are also something you should check weekly. Not only the four that are attached to your car but the spare one in the boot. It’ll be no use going to replace an old tyre with one that isn’t in a good condition either.

Monthly Car Checks

On a monthly basis, you should check the oil level to ensure it is between the maximum and minimum marks on the dipstick. There also needs to be the correct amount of liquid in your cooling system, as well as including antifreeze in the mixture in all seasons. It protects against overheating and frost damage. Checking under the bonnet for any significant damage gives you peace of mind. If you do have any sort of feeling that something isn’t right then be sure to call us, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

You should also give your car a deep clean and polish, while making sure there is no damage to your paintwork! Check for rust and any water damage on the inside and outside, as you should get these things dealt with as soon as you can – before they get any worse.

Do You Need Car Maintenance in Pontypool?

If you need car maintenance in Newton Abbot, come and visit our fully equipped garage. No matter what your concerns are, our friendly service can help with a range of repairs. Give us a call to book your vehicle in today.