What you need to know;

You can also call on 01656 300400 we are happy to help.

 

Are independent garages really cheaper?

Many independent garages claim to be cheaper than franchised dealers, but they often cannot back up their claims - as a recent judgement by the Advertising Standards Authority illustrates.

The ASA has taken action against a web-based servicing which directs people to a network of independent garages around the country.  In a radio advertising campaign the company claimed to "cost much less than main dealers".

However, when challenged by the ASA the company was unable to show that it had properly monitored its competitors' prices , and the data it did provide was deemed to be out of date.  Nor was it clear that the compoany was genuinely comparing like with like.  As a result of these and other issues, the advert from that company has now been banned.

Why not take the time to ring your local Main Dealer - you may be surprised.

 

What's a reasonable garage labour rate?

Vehicles are now very complex with multiple sensors and electronic control units to keep exhaust emissions to a minimum, improve stability/braking and to operate sophisticated safety systems. So you really should take your vehicle to the experts, but they can be very expensive.
timing
Garage hourly rates vary considerably according to location, the nature of the facilities and whether or not they hold a franchise.

Labourrates.co.uk is an independent company that compares Franchised Dealer labour rates across the UK.

You’ll be pleased to know that our Labour Rate is only £69.95 per hour however we have fixed pricing for all general maintenance items which are highly competitive in the market place - ring 01656-300400 and ask for details.

What's an environmental charge?

Cars contain many toxic substances such as oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, batteries, etc, and each one of them must be disposed of correctly. This often involves temporary storage in approved bins at Bridgend Ford.
Waste disposal specialists who have to maintain registered vehicles, premises and facilities appropriate for the materials being handled then collect the contents of the bins from us. Your environmental charge helps towards the safe disposal of these toxic substances.

What are the advantages of synthetic oils?

Synthetics and semi synthetics give improved performance at high temperatures and support extended drain intervals. They are generally the preferred choice for high perfomance cars or for motorists who particularly value long life/durability.

Your vehicle handbook should specify the grade/type of oil to be used based on the results of extensive durability / extreme environment testing by the manufacturer.

If synthetic oils are recommended then that is what you should use.

We don't recommend mixing mineral and synthetics, nor do we recommend switching to synthetic oils unless the vehicle handbook specifies that you may do so.

If the manufacturer has confirmed that synthetic oil is suitable for your vehicle and you intend to switch then you must make sure that the engine is drained fully of mineral oil first. 

How do I find out if my vehicle has been included in a safety recall campaign?

A manufacturer will issue a safety recall when it discovers a safety defect that affects a number of vehicles.
Manufacturers will then notify owners of vehicles that may be affected by the safety defect.

If you are concerned that your vehicle has been listed in a recall but have not received any
confirmation we would recommend that you contact us.
From your registration or VIN we will be able to advise whether there are any free outstanding recall actions on your vehicle.

What is a cambelt? (Also known as a Timing belt or Timing chain)

In the internal combustion engine application, the cambelt connects the crankshaft to the camshaft(s), which in turn controls the opening and closing of the engine's valves.
There are little upside-down mushroom shaped pieces of metal called valves at the top of every engine.
They open and close in time with the pistons going up and down to let fuel in and gas out. The cam belt links these valves to the pistons - if it breaks the pistons can hit the valves and do a lot of damage and that means opening up the engine.
In the majority of cases when a cambelt breaks, it will cause instant damage to the valves and pistons.
This belt or chain which is responsible for keeping vital components sequenced, will fail by either jumping a tooth, or snapping entirely. This sudden loss of engine timing management will cause the valves and pistons to collide causing visible internal damage, and resulting in loss in power causing your vehicle to stop.
The resulting internal impact damage can lead to a new engine or cylinder head being needed, which could cost in excess of £1,000.

Timing belts must be replaced at the manufacturer's recommended distance and/or time periods. You can find this information in your Service book or just call us here at Motorbodies for free advice.

Why do you recommend brake fluid changes?

Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in hydraulic brake applications in vehicles. It is used to transfer force into pressure.

Most major vehicle manufacturers recommend that drivers should change their brake fluid at least every two years. This is because brake fluid is a hygroscopic fluid - meaning that it absorbs water over time reducing its effectiveness.

If the fluid is not changed before the water content reaches the 3% mark, the water brings down the normal boiling point of the brake fluid and air bubbles are created as a result. Once this happens, the brakes become ineffective and dangerous.

If that wasn't bad enough, a motorist probably won't even be aware that this has taken place because the braking system will appear completely normal until the brake fluid reaches the reduced boiling point - which usually occurs after braking heavily.

What happens next is this: the brakes take on a sponge-like feeling and don't work - so the car fails to stop. If the driver happens to be on a hill or driving along a motorway when this happens, the consequences don't even bear thinking about.

The only way to ensure that this doesn’t end up happening to you is to check that your brake fluid is changed at least every two years – preferably once a year. We can do this as part of your regular service, just mention that you want it done and we will be happy to oblige.

Why do you recommend Engine Flushes?

Engine flushing is a procedure that is used to clean the engine of sludge and other elements that build up in various parts of the machinery over time. The main purpose of the engine flush is to prolong the life of your engine. By performing an engine flush periodically, the internal components of the engine remain relatively clean and thus perform at optimum levels.

How often should I check my oil?

Running low on motor oil can cause a lot more damage to your car than you might think. Having a low level of oil in your car will mean that the engine is being worn far quicker than it should be and can lead to you having to fork out on expensive repairs. In extreme cases it can ruin your engine completely!

As car owners it's one of the most important things we're supposed to do - look after the engine and top up the oil regularly - but it's also one of the most neglected aspects of car ownership. Research shows that one in three cars has too little oil to run effectively, and many people wait until they see that little red light blinking at them on the dashboard, warning them that it's been too long since they paid their oil levels attention. In many cases, if you see the warning light come on then the damage has already been done and rather than preventative action, it becomes a case of damage limitation.

Why is having the Correct Tyre Pressure so Important?

Having the right tyre pressure can add ages onto the length of time that your tyres are operational for. Not only that, but it also improves the overall safety of your vehicle and helps you use less fuel, so is good for both the environment and your wallet or purse.

If you drive on tyres that are under inflated, they are prone to overheating. If they are over inflated they can cause you real problems steering and driving your car properly on the road, which could lead to an increased chance of a collision. It’s reported that around 6% of fatal accidents on the UKs roads are caused by under-inflated tyres suddenly failing.

The law in Great Britain is very specific when it comes to tyres. It's such an important part of car maintenance to ensure that all tyres are in good condition that to drive with defective tyres carries a high penalty; currently a fine of £2,500 and a 3 penalty point endorsement per defective tyre (that's £5,000 and 6 points for 2 defective tyres, and so on).

Worn or ‘bald’ tyres are called so because the tyre tread – which helps you to stop quickly in an emergency – has been worn down to an unacceptable level. Sometimes you can tell by looking that a vehicle has ‘bald’ tyres, but on the other hand, it can be really hard to tell just by sight alone – especially if it’s a close call. However if you are stopped by a police officer and your tyre tread is found to be below the legal limit, which for cars in Europe (including the UK) is 1.6mm, then you will face punishment so it’s really worth your while to check your tyres regularly and make sure that they are road-worthy and safe.
If you don’t know how to check your tyres, pop in and see us, we’ll check them for you for free.

Do I really need to use genuine parts?

As any vehicle distributor will tell you, genuine parts have several advantages over non-genuine parts.

Thanks to legal obligations and a reputation to protect, car manufacturers invest heavily in research, development and safety requirements. They implement stringent quality control standards which are often by-passed by non-genuine aftermarket manufacturers. With a new genuine part, you always get a part you can depend on.

The intrinsic higher quality of genuine parts often ends up saving money compared to aftermarket parts, thanks to longer life, better performance, lower fitment costs, a near-zero rejection rate and no cross reference errors. Here, at Bridgend , we always recommend genuine parts for these very reasons.

WE ARE HAPPY TO HELP ON 01656 300400