Author: Declan

Hire car for free?

Written by Declan
If you have a car accident that isn’t your fault, did you know that you may be entitled to a hire car for at no cost. Many insurance companies will only offer you a courtesy car which is usually a very small car but if you have an upgraded policy then you may be entitled to a like for like car. If you have not chosen this option there are still ways in which you can get a like for like car without having to fork out on renting one. An accident management company will be able to arrange to get your car repaired and also supply you with a like for like car if you are involved in an accident that isn’t your fault. If the other person has...
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Keeping MOT costs down

Written by Declan
MOT’s can be scary for many car owners as they may not know what work is required until they have the MOT done. From the initially £40 approx. for the MOT test, the final bill can often go up by hundreds on cars requiring quite a bit of work to get it to pass. There are a few things that you can do to try and keep your MOT costs as low as possible. Firstly try and find a garage that you trust. Although the MOT test is very strict, unfortunately there are same garages that will take advantage of a test and quote for work that does not really need doing. When carrying out some recent online research I was surprised to find that many garages offer a MOT...
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How to check your car oil

Written by Declan
All cars need oil to run the engine. The oil used is specifically designed for use in a car engine and it varies depending on what engine you have, so always be sure to check the required oil before adding it to the sump. You can check the oil level in your car by checking the dip stick. This is a stick that shows you the level of oil and to check it you need to remove it when the car engine has not been running (engine is cold) and the car is parked on a flat surface. Wipe the stick and then push it firmly down in to the hole. After a few seconds remove the stick and look to see where the level is. If the level is...
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Keeping up with car services

Written by Declan
A car service can cover a number of things depending on what car it is, the age and mileage. Many older cars are recommended to be serviced once a year or every ten thousand miles (whichever comes first), but some newer models now have long life servicing meaning they only need to be done every 20,000 miles or two years. When a car is still within its manufacturer’s warranty, the servicing is essential to ensuring the warranty is valid as if it is not done on time or missed completely, this can effective void the warranty. Some manufacturers also stipulate that the service must be carried out by a main dealership. Costs of services vary depending on where you have it done and which service is due. Most cars require...
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Buying a new car

Written by Declan
It can be very exciting buying a new car from a dealership. You can usually go and have a look round and test a few of them to get the feel for what you want prior to buying it. The beauty of buying a new car is that you have the peace of mind of a warranty and many manufactures are now extending this well over the three years. When you arrive at the garage, allow yourself some time to have a look around before you get in to a discussion with a sales person. They can be very helpful but you may feel a little under pressure if they are there initially. Once you have had a look round, then speak to one of the sales people and ask...
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