FAQs

At Elite Garages, we always try to get your car booked in as soon as possible and our booking system helps. Call your local garage within normal business hours or request a service slot online if after hours.

Some customers will have a bronze car service one year and a silver car service the next so if they’re not doing the mileage, it’s not always advised to book a silver car service every year. Most of our customers book an MOT and service at the same time.

We offer bronze car service (standard) and silver car service (premium) at affordable, competitive rates – see the home page for our current Car Service prices.

We always explain this in detail, providing a list of what’s included and what is not. If a customer asks what service they need, we can advise depending on the service schedule and the manufacturer’s specification. Click here for more information.

At the time of posting, the price of a bronze car service (standard service) is from £110 and a silver car service (premium service) from £210. The service time will depend on what is being done and if any problems are identified which may require additional work.

We will discuss the customer’s vehicle and what extras it may need and then provide them with a quote specific to their requirements. Typically, a bronze service starts from £110, and a silver service from £210 but prices do vary depending on the vehicle.

Absolutely! With more than 11,000 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras strategically placed all over the UK, 50 million records are scanned every single day. These hi-tech surveillance devices and police on patrol can instantly identify if a vehicle has an up-to date MOT or not.

Our MOTs are competitively priced and in accordance with industry standards although vary depending upon location and time of year.  You can check our prices based on where you want to have your MOT done by going to the MOT page and selecting your desired location, date and time.

In simple terms, budget tyres are the cheapest and often don’t last as long or hold up as well as mid-range or premium tyres. Mid-range seems to be the happy medium as they provide better grip and longevity which is only superseded by the more expensive, premium tyres that offer even better performance, including Bridgestone.

We never fit part worn tyres and always encourage customers to avoid fitting part worn tyres at all costs. There are many safety concerns and they really are not any cheaper than economy tyres in the long run. Here is a good article about why part-worns offer a false economy.

Brake pads and discs wear out over time and will need replacing at some stage. Since no vehicle can operate without functioning brakes, Elite Garages will check yours for free and make recommendations for brake repairs or replacements, if deemed necessary.

We can fit OE (Original Equipment) for customers and we’re always happy to discuss parts and brands.

Most manufacturers recommend replacing the cambelt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles or every 5-7 years, whichever comes first. Read more about how long a timing belt lasts here..

Your car’s cambelt won’t last forever; with increasing wear, it becomes more and more prone to breaking. If the cambelt snaps while the engine is running, it can cause the valves to collide with the pistons, resulting in bent valves and potentially damaged pistons and cylinder walls. If you don’t change it then it might break!

While all vehicle components require maintenance, it’s particularly important to pay attention to your car’s timing belt. Unfortunately, there aren’t always clear signs that a cambelt has reached the end of its life and even experts may have trouble diagnosing it without a deeper dive. However, click this link to find out the signs that a cambelt replacement is imminent, as many people have reported these as the main indicators.

Most manufacturers recommend replacing the cambelt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles or every 5-7 years, whichever comes first. However, this can vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, so it’s always best to check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations. Remember to treat the manufacturer’s intervals as the maximum frequency as it’s safer to get it done sooner, especially considering the damage it can cause if you don’t

Common signs of a car battery that is running low include dim or flickering lights, difficulty starting the engine, rapid clicking when turning the key and the battery warning light appearing on the dashboard. If you notice any of these symptoms, we highly recommend getting an expert to look at your battery and find out whether it needs replacing.

While several things can drain a car battery, the most common cause is leaving the lights or the radio on after the engine has been switched off. Other causes of battery drainage could be a faulty alternator, corroded battery cables and parasitic drains caused by an electrical short in the system. If you are concerned about your battery, book a FREE battery check at Elite Garages!

Generally speaking, the average lifespan of a car battery is between three to five years but may depend on several factors, such as the quality of the battery, your driving habits and how well it’s maintained.

As with internal combustion engine cars, an electric car service interval also depends on manufacturer recommendations so it’s important to check your owner’s manual for accurate details. For the most part, an electric car service schedule is similar to that of petrol or diesel cars.

Yes, even electric cars need an annual MOT once they are three years and older. The main difference is that a car with an internal combustion engine (ICE) has an exhaust system which needs to be tested, whereas this is not required during an EV service. If your vehicle is due an MOT, click here to make an appointment.

Electric vehicles require regular servicing and maintenance just like any other car. During an electric car service, technicians check various parts and components, including brakes, tyres, suspension, lights, electrics, high-voltage cabling, battery pack and more. Contact your nearest branch for a full list or read our EV Servicing page.

The tyres on electric vehicles are different from regular tyres as they have a reinforced sidewall to handle the extra weight of the battery packs. EV tyres also have specially designed treads to grip the road better and provide traction since they have a much higher acceleration than petrol or diesel cars. Ask us about the best EV tyres for you!

Yes, since the tremendous uplift in customer requests to repair and service electric vehicles, technicians at all of our branches have received the necessary IMI Level 3 electric/hybrid vehicle training.

If your car air conditioner is blowing warm air, the refrigerant level might be too low. This usually indicates a refrigerant leak in your system but it could also be a faulty component that can be checked and repaired at Elite Garages Southampton

If the damaged area on the tyre is larger than 6 mm, and on the sidewall, you should not get a repair and rather opt for a replacement tyre.

Yes, you certainly can and it’s often something we recommend. In fact, around 95% of the time our customers get a premium or standard service with their MOT. Click these links to find  out what’s included in an MOT and what’s the difference between a Service and an MOT

Clutch judder is mostly caused by components and the flywheel not meeting properly. This often happens once your vehicle has come to a complete stop and then engaging the clutch during take-off. It could mean your clutch linkage may be worn or damaged.

The squeaking sound your brakes make come from worn-down brake pads and is often when metal rubs against metal. As you press down on the brake pedal, the brake calliper clamps around the pad and applies pressure to slow your wheel down. If your brake pads are worn, these components will rub together resulting in a grinding or squeaking noise.

This question is often also about the legal tread limit so we are always happy to explain that it is 1.6mm. We recommend changing your tyres at 3mm for optimal performance and safety but this is the customer’s choice. You can book a free tyre check to ensure your tread is above the legal limit.

Manufacturers have different recommendations but the general consensus is to replace your brakes when only 20% of the original thickness remains. Brake pads can last between 25,000 and 60,000 miles while brake discs anywhere from 80,000 to 120,000 miles. Remember, your driving habits can also impact the brake replacement intervals.

The price of brakes varies greatly as it depends on the vehicle and brake specification. At Elite Garages, new brakes cost anywhere FROM £80 but please note prices may be subject to change without prior notice.

Rapids are also budget tyres but they are more high-end and rated as premium economy.  Whilst they provide more grip than standard budget tyres, Rapids don’t perform as well as a good quality mid-range or premium tyre. However, Rapid tyres do offer a great in-between offering quality and value for money.

No, as part-worn tyres are not safe and there is no guarantee they won’t fail.

We can usually repair punctures if they are on the central part of the tyre (the middle three-quarters). If a puncture occurs outside this area and near the tyre sidewall, a repair is unlikely and you should get it replaced.

We will always try and explain this in detail, providing all the pros and cons. Put simply, budget tyres are the cheapest and often don’t last as long or hold up as well as mid-range and premium tyres. Mid-range seems to be the happy medium as they provide better grip and longevity which is only superseded by the more expensive, premium tyres that offer even better performance.

We can offer a variety of brands but will always recommend more premium parts, such as Pagid, but it all depends on the specific vehicle. OE fit is always best but we are able to fit various brands such as Delphi.

Brake pads can last between 25,000 and 60,000 miles while brake discs can be anywhere from 80,000 to 120,000 miles. Once again, how you drive can also impact the replacement intervals.

The front tyres should last for approximately 20,000 miles while the rear tyres may last a little longer. When you replace your tyres also largely depends on driving style, frequency and the quality of tyres fitted.

In the UK and Europe, the legal tyre tread depth for cars is 1.6 mm around the tyre circumference and the central three quarters. However, most tyre experts recommend replacing your tyres when the tread depth is at 3 mm for better braking distances.

A car service interval will largely depend on the car and the service schedule from the manufacturer. The common interval is 12,000 miles or 12 months, but you still have to check your car’s service book to verify.

The issue could be the clutch pressure plate or the clutch disc. However, other causes for clutch slipping is often found in the release system, an incorrectly reworked flywheel or the fitment of the wrong clutch. Our experts will be able to determine the cause and suggest a solution.

We supply a wide variety of brands, from budget, mid-range and premium tyres; each with its own benefits. As the name suggests, budget tyres are cheaper as they are not made to the same standards as mid-range or premium tyres. Mid-range tyres, especially Rapid, are often the preferred choice as it sits just below the premium brands. There is always a choice for our customers, and they can decide, and we are always happy to offer advice.

We get them in and out as quickly as possible. We have a good booking system where we can work out our day so we’re not overlapping appointments too much. We do our best so people aren’t waiting too long.

At Elite Garages Bournemouth we always try to get the customer’s car booked in as soon as possible and our booking system helps. Call your local garage here or outside of normal business hours where you can request a slot and we’ll be in touch the next working day to confirm it.

As a group, we stock a large number of tyres on-premises but if it’s not available, we can arrange next-day delivery from our warehouse. You can check availability and options online here 24/7

A car air con needs a service at least every 1 to 2 years as the coolant doesn’t last forever and filters can get clogged up with dirt and stagnant water. If you notice a strange smell, noise or visible leak underneath the car, it could explain why your air con is not working.

Most customers will have a standard service one year and premium service the following year. If they’re not doing the mileage, there’s no point doing a premium service every year. 95% of the time customers get a service with their MOT. Click these links to find  out what’s included in an MOT and what’s the difference between a Service and an MOT

We do our own service schedule which offers much better value but with dealership quality. (See what’s included in our Car Servicing Schedule here).