Here at Atherley Garage, we pride ourselves on the comprehensive range of services we offer to customers in Southampton. Whether you’re looking for car servicing, MOT testing, car repairs, bodywork or anything else from our extensive range of vehicle services, the mechanics at Atherley Garage take on any job, no matter how big or small. We understand that not every vehicle owner is an expert in MOTs or garage services. We strive to keep things as simple as possible, which is why we’ve compiled a comparative guide to our most commonly used vehicle services below.
Car Servicing – One of our most common vehicle services. Our Southampton-based mechanics use this proactive measure in order to reduce the risk of future breakdowns and subsequent car repairs or other garage services. There is a standard for car servicing but individual vehicle manufacturers also make recommendations. It is strongly advised that car owners follow these recommendations and keep the service book and history of their vehicle up-to-date. Failure to do so could drastically reduce the resale value of the car.
The two most common types of car servicing are “full” and “interim”. As a rule of thumb, full car servicing takes place once a year, or after every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Interim car servicing takes place every 6 months, or after 6,000 miles of travel, whichever arrives sooner.
Car servicing involves an inspection of the functionality of your car. Our vehicle mechanics check everything, from the engine to the brakes, and from the suspension to the lights, to ensure your car is safe for another year on the busy roads of Southampton.
MOT Testing – Perhaps the most well-known of all garage services. Whereas manufacturers recommend car servicing, MOT testing is a mandatory inspection of vehicles set by the government in conjunction with the DVSA. MOTs are compulsory for all vehicles that have been on the road for at least three years.
The purpose of MOTs is to ensure individual vehicles meet the minimum standards for safety, roadworthiness and emissions. MOT testing covers the surface elements of a vehicle, but excludes the engine, clutch and gearbox. This means passed MOTs indicate the car is safe to drive, but further vehicle services could be needed to see if it is performing well.
If MOT testing is failed, the vehicle is deemed non-roadworthy by our mechanics. If a vehicle fails one of our MOTs, we are more than happy to immediately carry out the required work or garage services to get you back onto the Southampton roads as quickly as possible.
Standards for MOTs are set by the DVSA. The DVSA also monitors MOT testing centres and their mechanics to ensure standards are met across the board. There are 7 different classes of MOTs, but the majority of Southampton vehicle owners fall into classes I to IV.
Car Repairs – Naturally, these are the garage services we all want to avoid. While our car servicing significantly reduces the likelihood of malfunction, your car or van is still a machine, and machines breakdown from time to time. We know how frustrating car repairs and the cost of subsequent vehicle services can be, especially if your vehicle is off the road for any amount of time.
This is why our mechanics strive to complete car repairs at our Southampton garage as swiftly as possible, without cutting any corners on workmanship. Wherever possible, we use the same equipment and parts as the original manufacturer or OEM-compliant equivalents, maintaining the otherwise smooth performance of your vehicle before any large-scale car repairs become necessary.
Bodywork – With Southampton roads getting busier, the number of bumps and prangs is on the rise. Impact causes varying degrees of damage to your vehicle that might require bodywork, be it a dented bumper, scratches or broken headlights and rear lights.
We understand the urge to put off any car repairs, garage services or bodywork for the sake of getting yourself to work or the kids to school. While vehicle damage can vary greatly, if you decide against getting bodywork or any accompanying vehicle services undertaken, even the most minor issues can be penalised by the police in the event of a roadside check.
These penalties can include fines and points on your license.
Wear and tear plays a part in the need for car repairs and garage services too but regardless how the damage occurred, if it is left, wear and tear can cause structural damage which might later cause the vehicle to fail MOT testing. Bodywork repairs and accompanying vehicle services carried out by the mechanics at our Southampton garage can range from a spot fix to extensive welding work on the suspensions mounts, floor panels or wheel arches to name but a few. As with anything road related, it’s best to practice caution.
Contact Atherley Garage today on 02380 631861 for a free, no-obligation quote on bodywork repairs, car servicing, MOT testing and our full range of vehicle services.