Garage questions answered

We're at 2-3 Sinclair Court on the Denbigh West Industrial Estate in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1RB. See the map and directions.

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. We're closed on Saturdays and Sundays. On bank holidays, please call 01908 371693 first.

Call 01908 371693, send us a WhatsApp on 07843 699463, or use the quote form. Tell us the make and model and what you need, and add a photo if it helps.

Since 1986. The business started as Ro-Fit & Rodweld and has grown into MH Auto Services, run by Martin Harvey. Read our story.

Yes. We take card payments.

No, we don't offer courtesy cars. Call 01908 371693 and we'll tell you how long the job should take so you can plan around it.

Yes. Our labour, and our paint and bodywork, are guaranteed for 12 months. Parts carry the manufacturer's own warranty, which varies from part to part.

Yes. We work for trade and private customers.

No. We don't do the MOT test itself, but we get cars ready for it and carry out the repairs needed to pass, including brakes and welding to MOT standard.

Yes. We can check it over before the test and quote for anything that's likely to fail, so you can decide what to do first.

GOV.UK says you can take it away if your current MOT is still valid and no dangerous problems were listed. Otherwise it needs repairing before you drive it, and it must stay roadworthy at all times. Driving a car that failed because of a dangerous problem can mean a fine of up to £2,500, a ban and 3 penalty points.

Use the free MOT history checker on GOV.UK. Enter the registration and it shows the expiry date and any past failures and advisories.

Often, yes. Call 01908 371693 and we'll tell you when we can take it.

Yes. We weld sills, chassis and wheel arches to MOT standard. See welding.

Yes. We weld sills, chassis rails and wheel arches to MOT standard. Send us a photo or the failure sheet on WhatsApp, or bring the car in, and we'll tell you what's needed.

Yes. We weld vans as well as cars, for trade and private customers.

Yes. Welding and rust repair are a big part of the restoration work we do.

The MOT fails rust in the load-bearing structure where parts like seat belts, suspension and steering are mounted, and in any supporting structure within 30cm of those mountings. It fails if the rust has made a hole or the metal doesn't feel firm when pressed. Read our guide to MOT corrosion failures.

The quickest way is a few photos of the rusty area on WhatsApp to 07843 699463, or the failure sheet if it has failed its MOT. You can also use the quote form.

Lanoguard is a lanolin-based underbody protection that helps stop rust. We're a Lanoguard application centre, so we apply it in our workshop with the car up on the lift.

Lanoguard say it should be topped up at least once a year.

Lanoguard say it can go over surface rust, but loose or flaking rust should be removed first. If the rust has gone further than the surface, we can weld the area before it's treated.

Yes. As well as Lanoguard, we offer full undersealing and cavity wax oil. Tell us about your car and we'll talk you through the options.

Lanoguard say their coating is translucent, so the metal underneath can still be checked. It stays oily at first and is dry to the touch after about 7 to 10 days.

We follow the manufacturer's service schedule and use genuine and matching-quality parts, which is what keeps a manufacturer warranty intact when an independent garage services your car. Some extended warranties sold by car makers have their own rules, so check yours if you have one.

We use genuine parts and parts of matching quality.

Yes. We keep full service records, so your car's history stays complete.

Follow the schedule your car's manufacturer sets, which is usually given in miles and months in the handbook or service book. If you're not sure, tell us the make, model and mileage and we'll let you know.

Yes. Bring the car in and we'll find the cause, then tell you what it needs and what it will cost before we do any work.

Yes. We do pre-purchase inspections. Call us to arrange a time and bring the car to our workshop.

Yes. We regas car air conditioning and repair it when it isn't working.

Common signs are squealing or grinding when you brake, the car pulling to one side, a soft or spongy pedal, vibration through the pedal or steering wheel, or a brake warning light. If you notice any of these, get them checked.

Get it checked as soon as you can. If the pedal feels soft, the car pulls hard to one side or the brakes don't feel right, don't drive it. Call us on 01908 371693 instead.

Not always. Discs need replacing when they're worn below the manufacturer's minimum thickness, scored or warped. We'll tell you which you need, and what it will cost, before we start.

It depends on the car and how and where it's driven. Lots of town driving and stop-start traffic wears them faster. We can check how much is left and let you know.

Yes. Our labour is guaranteed for 12 months, and the parts carry the manufacturer's own warranty.

Brakes, suspension and steering, exhausts, cambelts, batteries, starter motors and alternators, radiators and water pumps, air conditioning, and diagnostics when a warning light comes on. We also do welding, bodywork and servicing.

We don't do clutches, gearboxes, engine rebuilds or head gaskets, DPF and EGR work, tyres, or general electrical fault finding. Call us if you're not sure and we'll tell you straight away.

Yes. We repair and weld vans as well as cars, for trade and private customers.

Yes. We tell you what needs doing and what it will cost before any work starts.

Our labour is guaranteed for 12 months. Parts carry the manufacturer's own warranty, which varies.

The AA says a steady amber light is usually less serious and you can normally finish your journey, but get the car checked soon. A flashing amber light needs checking straight away. A red light means stop when it's safe and call your breakdown cover.

Yes. The MOT inspection manual lists an engine warning light that's on, or not working, as a major defect, so get it checked before the test.

Common causes listed by the AA include oxygen sensor faults, a blocked diesel particulate filter, mass airflow sensor problems, and spark plug or ignition coil faults on petrol cars.

Not always. A fault code shows which system has reported a problem, so we check the car over to find the part at fault before quoting.

We don't take on DPF and EGR work or general electrical fault finding. If that's what we find, we'll tell you.

Clunking or squeaking over bumps, one corner sitting lower than the others, tyres wearing unevenly, and handling that feels bumpy or unstable.

Yes. A broken, cracked or fractured coil spring is an MOT failure.

Shock absorbers, coil springs, suspension arms and steering parts, on cars and vans of all makes.

No. We don't do tyres or wheel alignment (tracking).

Yes. Our labour is guaranteed for 12 months, and the parts carry the manufacturer's own warranty.

Your car's maker sets the interval in miles and years. The AA says it's often somewhere between 40,000 and 100,000 miles, or every 4 years or more. Check your handbook, or call us with the registration and mileage.

On many engines the pistons hit the valves, which can cause serious engine damage. That's why it's worth changing the belt on time.

On many cars the cambelt drives the water pump, and the belt has to come off to reach it, so the two are often replaced together. We'll tell you if your car needs it.

It depends on the engine. Some use a metal timing chain instead of a belt. Tell us the make, model and engine and we'll let you know.

Check the service history and any receipts that came with the car. If there's no record, it's safest to treat it as due.

The AA says most manufacturers recommend a regas every 2 years, as the gas escapes naturally over time.

It may be low on gas and need a regas, or there may be a leak or faulty part. We'll check and tell you which.

Most UK cars with air con use R134a or R1234yf. It depends on the car, and so does the cost. Tell us the make, model and registration for a quote.

Yes. If a regas doesn't fix it, we find the fault and quote for the repair.

Yes. We colour match the paint to your car and use water-based paint.

Yes. We carry out insurance repairs. Call us on 01908 371693 to talk through your claim.

Yes, from bumper scuffs, scratches and dents to accident damage and damaged panels.

Yes. Send a photo of the damage on WhatsApp to 07843 699463, or add it to the quote form.

Yes. We repaint single panels, such as a door or a wheel arch, and blend the paint to match the rest of the car. We don't do full resprays.

Yes. Our paint and bodywork are guaranteed for 12 months.

Yes. Talk to Martin about your car and what you want from it, whether that's welding and paintwork or a bigger project.

Yes. We weld and repair rust on older cars, and can protect the underside with Lanoguard once the work is done.

Yes, including brakes, suspension and servicing. We don't do engine rebuilds or gearbox work.

Send Martin some photos on WhatsApp to 07843 699463 or use the quote form, and tell us about the car and what you'd like done.