Your vehicle can warn you when something is wrong, but if you don’t know what to look out for, you might miss the fact your diagnostic check up is needed.

Every year, National Highways traffic officers deal with more than 85,000 breakdowns, and they estimate that over 40% of these are caused by preventable things, like poor tyre maintenance, power loss and engine trouble.

Here are 5 warning signs you should look out for:

1. Dashboard Warning Lights

Starting out with perhaps the most obvious sign; warning lights. Far too many people see the little engine, spanner or airbag warning lights appear and put off coming in for a diagnostic code read because they don’t believe it’s urgent.

Not only can it be extremely dangerous to drive your car in these circumstances, but it could also be costing you a lot of money. If you take your car in for a diagnostic code read straight away, then there’s a good chance that we can identify and fix the issue, but if you wait then you run the risk of the problems getting worse or becoming irreparable.

A diagnostic code read is not the same as a service or an MOT. During a check-up, one of our mechanics will conduct a thorough examination of your vehicle’s systems using a scanner connected to your vehicle’s diagnostic port. This will provide them with a list of error codes (if there are any issues) that have been stored in your vehicle’s computer system.

There are hundreds of different error codes which indicate different issues. Once identified, we can tell you what the problem is and begin to make the necessary fixes to your vehicle.

2. Unusual Sounds

Unless you have an electric vehicle, you would expect your car to make some noise when you drive. You don’t need to worry about ordinary engine revving, or the sound of your aircon working, but if you notice any new sounds that you can’t identify then it might be time for a check-up.

Some brake pads are designed so that they start to squeal when they’re worn down – this is how they let you know they’re due to be replaced. Other strange noises could include engine knocking or rattling, which usually indicates that there are mechanical problems such as worn-out bearings or insufficient lubrication within your engine. Whatever the sound is, it’s always best to come in for a check-up so that we can identify the problem for you.

3. Driving Feels Different

How your car feels when you drive – whether this is from unusual vibrations, difficulty steering or spongey brakes – can be a big indicator that something is wrong with your vehicle.

If you experience any unusual vibrations whilst driving, particularly through your steering wheel, then you could have problems with your tyres. Misaligned wheels, unbalanced tyres and suspension problems could all cause vibrations.

Issues with steering can also indicate suspension problems, and if you experience stiffness or have to work harder to turn your steering wheel, you could have power steering issues.

Lastly, spongy brakes (where you feel like you have to press your brake pedal harder before it starts to work) can indicate problems with your brake pedals.

4. Leaks, Smoke and Smells

If your car has been parked in one place for a long time, it’s always a good idea to check underneath it before you drive. If you notice fluid under your vehicle, there might be a leak of one of your car’s fluids, such as oil, coolant or brake fluid. Each of these are vital for driving your vehicle safely, so you should always investigate the source of the leak and bring your car in for checking immediately.

Exhaust smoke is not something to be concerned over, but excessive smoke or different coloured smoke can indicate several different issues in your vehicle. If you notice blue smoke, then it could mean that oil is burning, white smoke can indicate a coolant leak, and black smoke means that too much fuel is being burned.

Likewise, a burning smell could be a sign that your brakes are overheating or that you have electrical issues. But whether the issue is a leak, smoke or a smell, it’s important to get your car in for a diagnostic check.

5. Difficulty Starting Your Car

If you struggle to start your car or you’re unable to start it at all, then you could have a faulty starter motor, a faulty battery, or alternator issues. Ideally, you wouldn’t wait until the vehicle is completely unable to start before you contact a garage, that way issues can be resolved more quickly and – hopefully – before they turn into more serious issues.

If you notice a sudden drop in fuel efficiency and find yourself having to go to petrol station more frequently, then you could be having issues with your fuel system, clogged air filters, or faulty spark plugs. Whatever the issue, you’re wasting your money on constantly refilling the fuel if you don’t address the problems as soon as possible.

If you believe that your car is showing any of the above warning signs, or you feel like your car just isn’t running like it used to, then yu may be in need of a diagnostic check-up, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to book you in.