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Professional Vehicle Testing, Servicing, MOTs, Repairs, Clutches, Brakes by Skilled Mechanics

Car mechanics are amongst a group of professionals that we need to be able to trust, for our safety, and budget. Many car owners don’t know their cambelt from their flywheel, but they shouldn’t need to with the amount of garages around. It’s the skilled mechanic’s job to provide a quality service, but unfortunately this isn’t always the case!

When 2,000 people in the UK were surveyed, it emerged that a whopping 85% do not trust car mechanics. According to one professional, this viewpoint is justified in many cases. Here are four of the underhand tactics he told Confused.com, were employed by dodgy garages to part you from your money. [and how not to fall victim]

1. Use of Jargon

Some garage workers will use what appears to be a foreign language in order to persuade the car owner of the need for additional work. Make sure you ask questions, particularly about the need for any replacement parts. Ask for answers in plain English and if you don’t get an answer that you understand you may want to go elsewhere.

2. Second Hand Parts

It’s outrageous but sometimes parts are replaced with used components and not the new version you paid for. They may even not have been replaced at all, and it’s not always easy to tell. Ask to see the old part or have the new one pointed out if possible, and get an itemised bill.

3. Do you need a New Tyre?

Tyres do not always need to be replaced, unless they are badly damaged, cut or bulging. A puncture in the tread can often simply be repaired. Ensure they show you the problem, and if it really does need replacing, check online that you are not being overcharged for your tyre.

4. MOT Scams

Don’t be fooled by a list of bogus repair requirements risking an MOT fail, although some may be essential for roadworthiness. The Government have taken steps to make it clearer to drivers which issues need to be dealt with immediately. Some minor defects may be acceptable and allow the car to pass it’s MOT.

Remember that despite this expose, not all garages are untrustworthy, and some like John Atherton have an unequalled reputation and a long history of customer focussed service.

Affordable Tyre Fitting Service, High Performance Tyres, Lifetime Guarantee, Wigan

Affordable Tyre Fitting Service, High Performance Tyres, Lifetime Guarantee, Wigan

Driving is convenient, helpful and pleasurable for most people, but it can also sometimes be a little unpredictable. We all have to take more care at certain times, particularly in bad weather. If you are unable to cancel or postpone your journey when the weather takes a turn for the worse, there are ways to look after yourself and lessen the risk of accidents.

Accidents during conditions like heavy rain, snow or ice are most frequently caused by loss of traction. Tyres cannot grip the road properly and the car begins to slide out of control on the slippery surface. To avoid getting into difficulties, slow down, drive smoothly and pay more attention. Take care not to jerk the steering wheel or jam on the brakes or gas, and take control as if you were negotiating a wet or icy path on foot.

If things do get out of hand, and your car begins to skid or hydroplane:-

• try not to panic
• take your foot off the gas
• look at where you want to go and gently steer the car in that direction
• lightly apply the brake if needed
• as you get back some control and if you are pointed in the right direction you can ease your foot on the gas

There are courses available in order to practice this scenario in safe surroundings, so you automatically know what to do and how to recover from a skid. The biggest mistake made by drivers in this situation is looking where they don’t want to go, or at things they wish to avoid colliding with. This natural reaction is often counteractive and results in the exact opposite of what they wanted to achieve.

At John Atherton Autos, we are proud to offer customers the highest quality products and services possible. Market leading Roadstone tyres deliver exceptional performance, great value for money and can now be ordered online. Good tyre tread is essential to a safer driving experience and will improve road grip in all circumstances.

Professional Vehicle Testing, Servicing, MOTs, Repairs, Clutches, Brakes by Skilled Mechanics

High Quality Tyres, Lifetime Guarantee, Reliable, Affordable Tyre Fitting Service, Wigan

Actually brakes, seatbelts, the steering wheel are all pretty important in them selves, but perhaps the winners here are the tyres! These are the only bits of the vehicle that touch the road, meaning they are responsible for getting you safely from A to B. If your tyres aren’t up to scratch, it doesn’t matter how good the function of your brakes, steering, accelerator etc.

This is why having excellent quality tyres is a must for every type of vehicle and something we mustn’t compromise on. There is available a wide choice of tyres, some better than others, with varying performance when it comes to road grip, speed, noise and fuel consumption. A good tyre will perform well in all weathers, including snow and icy conditions. Choosing budget tyres is a false economy however, as they may become bald faster, not grip the road causing bumps and knocks or increase fuel consumption.

Lots of motorway driving requires your tyres to do well at constantly higher speeds, frequent countryside driving calls for tyres that can handle a range of terrains. Winding country roads also mean tyres with great road grip when taking tight corners. Whichever tyres you choose, there are certain checks that need to be performed regularly, meaning at least monthly. These quick checks will ensure safe travelling, damage prevention and less wear and tear.

• The tread depth of your tyres – legally the minimum is 1.6mm
• Tyre pressure
• Any visible bulges or cracks in the tyre
• Wear and tear that is uneven

When it comes to tyre pressure, you can adjust this yourself, but the other points need attention, meaning replacement tyres. We offer some of the highest quality tyres on the market, and are the only company in Wigan to be approved by leading tyre manufacturers Roadstone. This means outstanding performance and a lifetime guarantee with a product that ticks every box. We also provide a range of other expert services to keep you on the road, such as MOT, vehicle testing, repairs, clutches, brakes and servicing.

Professional MOTs, Repairs, Clutches, Brakes, Vehicle Testing, Servicing, Skilled Mechanics