Car care guides

Plain-English answers to the questions drivers ask before they book a garage. Each guide says when it was last checked and where the facts come from.

MOT

The MOT test explained: what's checked, what it costs and what to do if you fail

When your car needs an MOT, what the tester looks at, quick checks you can do yourself, how results work and how retests are charged.

Servicing

Interim, full or manufacturer service: which does your car need?

What each type of car service includes, how often to have one, and what to ask a garage before you book.

Why car air con needs a regas, and what the garage actually does

Why refrigerant slowly escapes, the signs your air con needs attention, what a proper regas involves and what it costs.

What is antifreeze, and why does your car need coolant all year?

What coolant does, why it's mixed with water, why you shouldn't mix types, how to check the level safely and when to change it.

Tyres

Car tyres explained: tread depth, pressure, age and reading the sidewall

The legal tread depth, the 20p check, how to check pressures, how old is too old, and what the numbers on the sidewall mean.