A diagnostic check is a process of checking a vehicle’s systems and components to help identify issues and rectify them. Modern vehicles are equipped with extensive computer networks that can provide information on the engine, brakes, and other related systems.

Conducting vehicle diagnostics in Stockport

Car diagnostics Stockport technicians nowadays use this information to carry out a range of checks to diagnose possible faults with cars before they escalate into potentially expensive problems.

The information is then relayed back to the service provider so they can tell you what will be needed for your car to fix any issues identified during the inspection. This procedure could also include preventative measures as well as industry-standard tests like emissions inspections and brake inspections, where needed.

What areas of a vehicle are tested?

Although the term ‘diagnostics’ can sometimes be used to refer to the analysis of equipment in all vehicles, it’s more commonly applied to the investigation of problems with electronically-controlled vehicles, such as modern cars and trucks.

The most common areas of a vehicle that can be checked through this process are:

Engine system

This is performed by checking the fuel supply and air filters, in addition to monitoring readings from sensors within the combustion system. The engine management system will look for particular codes that correspond with specific components to establish what may be wrong with your car.

Electrical systems

This could involve the battery, starter motor, alternator, and power steering pumps. The electrical system checks will gather information from the ignition system, which will monitor from when you turn the key in your car to when you release it.

Brake systems

This is typically done by checking for abnormal wear in brake pads as well as inspecting brake lines for signs of damage and leaks. Checking for abnormal wear involves measuring the thickness of brake pads using a tool called a micrometre and comparing it to the manufacturer’s specification to see if they’re within an acceptable range.

How often should you conduct vehicle diagnostics?

Vehicle diagnostics are an important part of maintaining the status of your car’s engines and electrical components. However, it’s important to remember that the vehicle’s systems aren’t going to fix themselves.

For them to remain in full working order, you should carry out a vehicle diagnostics check every three months if you’re regularly driving your car. The frequency will vary according to how often you drive your car and its age.

For example, people with older cars who routinely drive over 60,000 kilometres a year will need to perform vehicle diagnostics more frequently than people who don’t run at this rate.

What is the importance of vehicle diagnostics?

Outdated or faulty parts could potentially lead to breakdowns that are both inconvenient and expensive if they aren’t identified early. And if the fault goes undetected, it could lead to bigger issues in the future.

Repair vehicle

A diagnostic check is the best way for MOT garage Stockport service providers to identify problems before they occur and formulate a preventative maintenance plan that’s tailored to your vehicle’s needs.

Reduce costs

This can help reduce costs down the line because you’ll only have to have preventative measures carried out when necessary rather than regularly. Preventative measures can range from regularly checking air filters at certain intervals or changing oil at set times, as recommended by your provider of choice.

Modern vehicles are equipped with diagnostic systems, which make it much easier for service providers to carry out checks on many of their systems. Contact John Delany for all your vehicle diagnostics and repairs today.