FAQs

Different driving styles and terrain have a dramatic effect on how often your brakes need replacing.

For example, a set of brake pads could last upwards of 50,000 miles when it spends most of its time on the motorway. However, the same car used mostly in city environments could last less than 15,000 miles.

Generally speaking the front brakes will wear out before the rear brakes, this is due to a higher percentage of the braking load been at the front, this more so on front-wheel drive cars.

All brakes pads have different levels of friction material from new, generally when the friction pad reaches the thickness of 3 millimetres, AutoBliss would advise replacement. Unlike pads, Brake disc thickness are easily measured, that is once the wheel is removed. At AutoBliss we have the correct data which tells us the manufactures minimum thickness specification for replacement, in some cases this is stamped onto the disc itself.

• Your brake warning light is on, this could be indicating your brakes are low
• ABS light is on, possibly indicating your anti-lock brake system has a fault
• Your brake pedal is spongy, slow to respond or reaches the floor.
• You hear grinding or constant squealing when driving or braking

If at any time you notice any of the symptoms listed above, it’s a good idea to have AutoBliss check your brakes. At AutoBliss if our inspection revels you require new brakes or repairs, we will explain exactly why and what options are available, we leave it to you to choose when to repair at a pace and price point that suits you.

A vital and often overlooked part of car maintenance is changing your brake fluid this can help ensure the safety of vital components.

Most manufacturers recommend that you change your brake fluid every 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever is sooner. At AutoBliss we offer the option to change your brake fluid as part of the Full Service Plus Package to help save our customers money. At AutoBliss Our fully qualified technicians will replace the old fluid with new brake fluid to the correct specification using the latest in specialist tools and Automotive Data. We will also safely dispose of the old fluid in an environmentally friendly way.

All our technicians have been handpicked not just for their expertise and training but for the character and integrity. Trained to work on any make and model of car coupled with the latest in technology and special equipment makes for a straightforward and honest service. For us its not just a job.

All our work is protected by our Quality Guarantee for your peace of mind.

At AutoBliss we only use high-quality original equipment specification parts as standard. Plus, all our servicing is guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles, giving you that extra peace of mind.

Please be aware that all vehicles are different therefore prices may vary. All our service prices seen are based on average vehicles serviced with us over the past 3 years. If your vehicle(s) requires any special attention please let a member of our team know beforehand.

The short answer is no. At AutoBliss we do not invalidate your dealer warranty. There is considerable confusion among car owners about their new car warranty or dealer warranty. At AutoBliss we get asked this question a lot, online and in general conversation.

“The salesman told me I have to get my car serviced by the dealer to maintain the warranty.”

This is simply not true however it may affect your finance agreement which is very rare but worth checking.

Under EU Block Exemption legislation, which has been around for many years now, a manufacturer cannot force a buyer to have their car serviced by their official dealership network and cannot refuse to honour a new car warranty simply because a car has been serviced elsewhere. However, a manufacturer does have the right to set a servicing schedule which must be adhered to.

As a car owner, you have the right to take your car to any licenced garage or mechanic for servicing, but you must ensure that the servicing is carried out exactly as per the manufacturer’s servicing schedule.

This means servicing must be undertaken on time and must use genuine or original equipment specification parts or lubricants specified by the manufacturer.

If you choose to have your car serviced at AutoBliss we keep and give to our customers detailed invoices and receipts for all work carried out so you have proof that the car has been serviced according to the dealer schedule.

If your car requires repair work under its new car warranty, the manufacturer has the right to insist that this work is undertaken by its official dealerships. This is entirely fair, since the manufacturer is paying for this work. At AutoBliss we will help guide you through this process and in most cases will handle it for you from start to finish ensuring peace of mind.

Please note that not all warranties are provided by the vehicle manufacturer, and it’s here you as the customer need to be careful.

Many dealers will offer you extended warranties for a new car, or a used car warranty of some description, but these are usually not provided by the manufacturer (dealer warranty) and are basically aftermarket insurance/warranty policies. As such, the requirements may be different and may tie you to a specific dealer or franchise for servicing.

Once a car is 3 years old (4 years in Northern Ireland) it must be tested each year to check it meets road safety and environmental standards.

This Ministry of Transport test is commonly known as an ‘MOT’. MOT tests are carried out at around 21,000 authorised test centres around the country, all of which display an official blue sign featuring three white triangles.

An MOT involves dozens of checks on your car, ranging from the brakes and fuel system to lights, mirrors, seatbelts, windscreen wipers and exhaust system. It doesn’t cover the condition of the engine, clutch and gearbox.

An average MOT test takes between 40 and 60 minutes, but there are a couple of other things to take into consideration.

1. If your vehicle fails the test and repairs need to be made this will take longer.
2. The test might take an hour or less, but, even if there aren’t any repairs, this does not mean your vehicle will only have to be at the garage for sixty minutes.

Test centres can require you to drop your vehicle off first thing in the morning and collect it when ready. This means you should be prepared to be without your vehicle for the day.

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency sets the maximum fee official test centres can charge for an MOT. It’s currently £54.85 for cars and motor caravans.

Nearly two in five MOT tests are a fail first time. Yet often this is because of minor faults the owner could easily have fixed beforehand.

Here are the top five simple reasons for MOT fails, according to research published from 2014:

1. Screen wash not topped up.
2. The car was dirty or full of clutter. Clear the mess from the boot and cabin and give the windows and mirrors a quick wipe.
3. A registration plate problem. For example, the plate used the incorrect type face/spacing, or was dirty or missing altogether. If you have a personalised plate, make sure it follows DVLA rules.
4. Stickers on the windscreen blocking the driver’s view. Make sure anything stuck to the windscreen like parking permits is outside the wiper’s sweep area.
5. Lit-up warning light on the dashboard. The MOT has included lit-up warning lights since 2012.