Mobile Mechanic in Reading

Absolutely. A car remap will improve what your car is able to achieve, both in fuel economy and in power (BHP) output, so you get the best of both worlds in terms of performance. Find out more about our car remapping service.

If you still have your vehicle’s manual, it will normally give an indicative mileage for changing the timing belt, often somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. As with many things on a car, it’s tempting to eke out a replacement for as long as possible. But if the timing belt breaks while you’re driving, it is likely to cause your engine serious damage, which will cost far more than a timing belt replacement.

Signs that your timing belt is nearing its end include vibrations, a loss of engine power, problems starting, noises from the engine near the belt, and engine warning lights, including overheating. Contact us to arrange a check or replacement so you can keep driving safely.

Where you live doesn’t change how often your car needs a service. The old rule of thumb was every 12,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever came first. For vehicles over 10 years old this is still a good guide. It helps keep your car in good running order and prevents more costly repairs later, prevention rather than cure.

Modern cars, with better components, materials and lubricants, should be fine following the manufacturer’s guidelines, and intervals of 20,000 miles are becoming more common. Don’t be tempted to stretch things further, though: certain procedures and part replacements at set intervals matter for your car’s performance. See what’s included in our car servicing in Reading.

Lists compiled by motoring organisations often put gearbox problems at the top. They aren’t easy to spot, but poor gear changes put extra strain on a gearbox and can cause costly damage. Close behind are electrical issues, which isn’t surprising given how much of a modern car is monitored by a computer, and warning lights sometimes show when no fault exists.

Clutch problems come third, and are more common on older vehicles, where years of driving wear the clutch until it slips and eventually burns out. If you suspect any of these, book your vehicle in and we’ll run vehicle diagnostics alongside some old-fashioned visual checks.

The two main signs are your vehicle pulling to one side, or your steering wheel not sitting straight while you drive in a straight line. The most common cause is potholes, especially deep ones that give the car a jolt, and taking speed bumps too hard can do it too.

Left alone, misalignment makes your tyres wear unevenly and affects fuel efficiency, both of which cost you money. More importantly, it can affect braking, especially with ABS, so book wheel alignment as soon as you notice either sign.

If your air conditioning isn’t cooling as well as it used to, a recharge is most likely what it needs. We’ll check that this is the cause, then top up the system with refrigerant, and clean or replace the air or pollen filters if needed. More on our air con regas.

One of the harder signs to spot is worse fuel economy, because a poorly performing exhaust burns more fuel for the same power. Slower acceleration than usual makes it more obvious.

Other signs are much more noticeable: knocking, growling, rattling or banging noises from the exhaust or underneath the car, an exhaust hanging lower than usual, or a strong smell of fumes or burning, which points to gases not passing through the catalytic converter properly. If you notice any of these, get in touch about exhaust repairs before further damage is done.

We specialise in mechanical and electrical repairs, and in ongoing maintenance through servicing, MOTs and remapping. If you need bodywork repairs after an accident, we’d suggest a specialist body repair workshop, and we can repair the workings of your car so you can drive it there.

No, we don’t offer a mobile tyre fitting service. We do offer wheel alignment, which is worth having checked after new tyres are fitted.

The most obvious sign is your car not starting as quickly as it used to. Delayed starting is a sure sign of a problem, and while the car is still driveable you should book it in as soon as possible. Other signs are electrical: dimmer lights and slower electric windows or other moving parts.

A check engine light could point to the battery, but it could be something else, so our car diagnostics service is useful here. If you notice a bad smell and see corrosion on the battery connectors, there is definitely a battery problem. See our car battery replacement service.

There are three main causes. The most common is a hard impact, such as hitting a pothole or a kerb, or taking a speed bump too quickly. Another is general wear in the suspension: if the shocks or struts are a little loose, the wheels can go out of alignment, and because the change in steering is gradual it can be hard to notice. The third is a modification to the suspension. If you notice any of these, get in touch and we’ll make sure you’re driving safely.

We cover all the service requirements set by the manufacturer for your vehicle’s mileage and age. A service goes much further than an MOT in keeping your car performing well and avoiding costly repairs later. Changing the oil and air filters at the right time keeps your engine running smoothly, and replacing a timing belt before it breaks, which is relatively inexpensive as part of a service, could save your engine and a large repair bill.