1 April 2026 · 4 min read
Cambelt or Chain? How to Check Which One Your Car Has
Three possibilities: dry cambelt, timing chain, or a wet belt in oil. Each has a very different service cost. Here is how to find out for free.
Read it →From the workshop
Real car advice from a real garage.
Twelve write-ups on the questions we get asked most often in Slough. Written by the people doing the work, not a marketing agency.
25 March 2026 · 4 min read
How Long Does a Car Service Actually Take?
Realistic timings so you can plan your day. Drop and wait, drop and collect, or leave it overnight, depending on what the car actually needs.
Read it →18 March 2026 · 6 min read
Gearbox Servicing - The Service Most Garages Skip
Most main dealers will tell you the gearbox is sealed for life. It is not. Here is what your DSG, ZF or CVT actually needs and when.
Read it →11 March 2026 · 6 min read
Ghost Immobilisers, Metatrak and Scorpion Trackers - Which One Do You Need?
Ghost stops the car being driven. Metatrak and Scorpion help recover it after it has been stolen. Which one you need depends on what threat you are protecting against.
Read it →4 March 2026 · 5 min read
Car Tyres: Budget vs Mid-Range vs Premium - What's Actually Worth It
Cheap tyres are not automatically bad. Premium tyres are not automatically necessary. Here is when each one is the right call.
Read it →25 February 2026 · 5 min read
What Is a Boost Leak and How a Smoke Test Finds It
Turbo cars that suddenly feel flat, drink fuel, or throw intermittent codes are usually leaking boost somewhere in the intake. A smoke test finds it in minutes.
Read it →18 February 2026 · 4 min read
R134a vs R1234yf - Why Your Car's Aircon Gas Matters
If your car is from 2017 onwards it almost certainly uses R1234yf, not the old R134a. Putting the wrong gas in damages the system and voids the warranty.
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11 February 2026 · 6 min read
Kerbed Your Alloy? Refurb vs Crack Welding Explained
A scuff and a crack are not the same job. One is a refurb, one is a welding job, and a kerbed alloy with a slow leak might need both.
Read it →4 February 2026 · 5 min read
Failed Your MOT? Common Reasons and What It Costs to Fix
Most MOT failures are not catastrophic. They are small things that should have been spotted at the last service. Here is what fails most and what to do about it.
Read it →28 January 2026 · 6 min read
Signs You Need an ECU Remap (and What to Expect on the Dyno)
If your car feels flat below 3,000rpm and overtakes are a stress, the manufacturer map is the most likely cause. Here is what a remap actually changes.
Read it →21 January 2026 · 6 min read
Wet Belt vs Timing Belt - What's the Difference and Why It Matters
A wet belt is not just a normal cambelt with a fancy name. It runs in engine oil. When it goes wrong it goes very wrong, very fast.
Read it →14 January 2026 · 5 min read
How Often Should You Service Your Car?
Annual? Every 6 months? Whatever the dealer says? Here is what your car actually needs and what is a waste of money.
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