Service and MOT Questions & Answers

All answers supplied by NMG's Service Team have been provided in good faith without liability. You should always refer to your vehicle's handbook, your dealer or seek professional help from a reputable dealer or garage before undertaking repairs or maintenance.


Q. When should I have my emissions checked?

Q. How often should I check my tyre pressures?

Q. At what tread measurement, do I need to change my tyres?

Q.How often should I replace my wiper blades?

Q. My car tends to pull to one side during normal driving, what could the cause be?

Q. What does an air con service entail, can I do this myself?

Q. My steering wheel vibrates at certain speeds, what is the cause likely to be?

Q. I have been offered a set of secondhand tyres, is it OK to fit these?

Q. My steering wheel is not straight, can I have it aligned?

Q. The outside edges of my tyres are wearing quicker then the rest of the tyres - is this normal?

Q. I have to keep topping my engine oil up between services, is this normal?

Q. I have difficulty starting my car in the morning is it due to my battery?

Q. I often see water dripping out under my car at the end of a journey but I do not have to top my coolant tank up, why?

Q. Why do I keep hearing a banging noise from my suspension when I go over speed bumps?

Q. Recently I have noticed a strange smell like a musty damp smell in my car cabin, what could that be?

Q. I'm going on holiday when my MOT is due; can I have the MOT done in advance?

Q. My MOT runs out when I'm on holiday, does it matter if I wait until I return to have my cars MOT done?

Q. I'm going abroad with my car, does my car have to be MOT'd for use on the continent?

Q. I have been told I will need Head Light Beam Deflector when I travel abroad, does my car require them and how do I fit them?

Q. I have been told my tyre tread is lifting, I have had my tyres for a long while and they seem ok to me, should I have them checked?

Q. My brake pedal vibrates when I brake, is this normal?

Q. I notice that my tyres seem to be wearing out on the inside edge on the front, is this because the tyre pressures are incorrect or could it be something more sinister?

Q. My cooling system seems to use quite a lot of fluid recently, but I cannot see a leak anywhere, is this normal?

Q. My brakes tend to stick on overnight, why?

Q. Why does my steering wheel shake when I brake?

Q. My cooling system is very milky in colour, even after I recently drained it all off and started from fresh. Why does this keep happening?

Q. I'm planning a long trip, should I have my Battery checked?

Q. Before my trip should I have my Fan Belt Checked?

Q. When should I have my Brakes checked?

Q. When should I check my Seat Belts?

Q. I'm having difficulty opening my car doors; I think the key may be damaged.

Q. What spares should I carry for long trips?

Q. How often should I check my Spare Tyre?

Q. I can smell Exhaust Gas inside the cabin of my car, is this normal?

Q. My engine sounds louder than normal, should I have it checked?

Q. I have just started driving, what should I carry in my car in case of emergencies?

Q. Every time I use my Air Conditioning System, I notice a puddle of water under the engine, is this normal?



Q. When should I have my emissions checked?
A. Normally three years from new registration or annually after the first MOT.However emissions output is a variable thing and may require a intermittent inspection, you should do this if the engine performance has deteriorated and or if there is evidence of excessive smoke from your exhaust and or exhaust gas smells.


Q. How often should I check my tyre pressures?
A. Before every journey.


Q. At what tread measurement, do I need to change my tyres?
A. The legal minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm, however most motoring organisations recommend tyre replacement between 2-3m, as for example this only gives you a meager 1.4 tyre depth above the level considered as legally safe. Worn tyres kill, get them checked.


Q. How often should I replace my wiper blades?
A. Most blades will last 12 months but performance will deteriorate dependant on usage and weather conditions.

Q. My car tends to pull to one side during normal driving, what could the cause be?
A.There are several possible reasons for this, possible causes could be tyre pressures, even the tyre itself or wheel alignment. The best option would be to take the vehicle to your dealer who can check this out for you using the latest laser tracking equipment.


Q. What does an air conditioning service entail, can I do this myself?
A. It is a check of the efficiency of the system which includes a full system re gas using special equipment which does not allow the gas to escape into the environment. This must be carried out by a specialist. Your system requires a full discharge every two years and a recharge and top up every year, there are two types of service and NMG can carry out both.


Q. My steering wheel vibrates at certain speeds, what is the cause likely to be?
A. It is possibly a result of tyres being out of balance. You should get your dealer to check this out. Most dealers will provide you with a full tyre health check free of charge.


Q. I have been offered a set of second hand tyres, is it OK to fit these?
A. It is not recommended as they could have been damaged in a way that is not always visible. tyres nowadays are not as expensive as you may think. Most dealers nowadays supply and fit tyres at a most competitive price.


Q. My steering wheel is not straight, can I have it aligned?

A. Yes, for most cars, aligning the steering wheel is a straight forward procedure which can take between 30 and 60 minutes.


Q. The outside edges of my tyres are wearing quicker then the rest of the tyres - is this normal?
A. No, abnormal tyre pattern wear is normally a result of steering mis-alignment or suspension component defects, you should have a steering alignment check and suspension inspection.


Q. I have to keep topping my engine oil up between services, is this normal?
A. Yes, it is perfectly normal to expect some engine oil usage between services as the oil is lubricating hot moving parts and at the same time, it acts also as a coolant. In modern high performance engines and high pressure engines like turbo diesel the manufacturers recommend oil top up every 1,000 miles or 1 month if required. If you think it may be excessive contact your main dealer, or pop into NMG for one of our Heath Checks.


Q. I have difficulty starting my car in the morning is it due to my battery?
A. It could be but it is more likely to be another issue if the engine is actually turning over. Take it into your dealer to be checked out, preferably leave it there overnight ready for a cold start in the morning. NMG offer this battery check in our Health Check.


Q. I often see water dripping out under my car at the end of a journey
but I do not have to top my coolant tank up, why?
A. If you have air conditioning this is likely to be the cause. It is perfectly normal as it is merely condensation run off.


Q. Why do I keep hearing a banging noise from my suspension when I go over speed bumps?
A.I would advise that you take your car into your dealer to have the suspension checked out as a matter of urgency in cases such as these. It is possible that your shock absorbers are wearing or have failed.


Q. Recently I have noticed a strange smell like a musty damp smell in
my car cabin, what could that be?
A. Many cars today are fitted with Climate Control or Air Conditioning and these need routine service and cleansing. Failure to do this may result in the smell you are experiencing as your filters may need replacing, or the system may need an inspection. The other most likely cause is water ingress into your vehicle somewhere. Most dealers like ourselves can offer Air Conditioning Services or Anti-Bacterial Services; at NMG, we do this While-U- Wait.


Q. I'm going on holiday when my MOT is due; can I have the MOT done in advance?
A. Yes you can have your MOT done early, a new MOT certificate can be extended up to a maximum of 1 month. If in doubt call NMG and we will advise you.


Q. My MOT runs out when I'm on holiday, does it matter if I wait until I return to have my cars MOT done?
A. All vehicles that use the public road must have a current MOT Certificate without exception; NMG can fit you in at short notice, while you wait.


Q. I'm going abroad with my car, does my car have to be MOT'd for use on the continent?
A. Yes, nearly all EU countries require a road worthy certificate to support vehicle insurance. You should check the current regulations that apply to the countries you are traveling through. NMG can give you annual reminders when your MOT is done through one of our testing stations.


Q. I have been told I will need Head Light Beam Deflector when I travel abroad, does my car require them and how do I fit them?
A. It is a legal requirement that UK right hand drive cars have the ability to deflect the dip beam pattern when driving in countries that are left hand drive. Let NMG supply and fit your Head Light Deflectors.


Q. I have been told my tyre tread is lifting, I have had my tyres for a long while and they seem ok to me, should I have them checked?
A. Tyres like most things do suffer from old age, tread patterns can lift from the tyre casing on some tyres or become distorted, let NMG conduct a free tyre check and give you a very competitive price.


Q. My brake pedal vibrates when I brake, is this normal?
A. No, excessive vibration through the foot brake normally indicates a problem with the braking system, however if your vehicle is fitted with ABS, it is possible that this will cause pedal vibration under extreme braking and this may not be abnormal, let NMG conduct a Health check on your vehicle.

Q. I notice that my tyres seem to be wearing out on the inside edge on the front, is this because the tyre pressures are incorrect or could it be something more sinister?
A. Incorrect tyre pressures do have an adverse effect on the tyre itself, but in the case you describe with the inside edge only wearing away prematurely, it is likely to be a geometry problem that will require checking with specialised alignment equipment by your dealer. NMG carry out free tyre checks.


Q. My cooling system seems to use quite a lot of fluid recently, but I cannot see a leak anywhere, is this normal?
A. It is not normal to have to keep topping up the levels; there is clearly a problem with the system somewhere that may only become evident when the engine is under pressure. Your usual service centre should be able to perform a simple check by pressurising the system, or carry out a head gasket check if it is felt necessary. NMG could do this for you as part of our FREE Health Check.


Q. My brakes tend to stick on overnight, why?
A. It could be just overnight moisture within the drums, or a build up of dust and friction material making them stick. Usually a check, lubricate and clean is sufficient to resolve this type of issue. NMG carry out Brake Checks while-u-wait.


Q. Why does my steering wheel shake when I brake?

A. There could be several reasons why this happens but it would be advisable to take it straight in to your dealer who would be able to advise you as to the problem. With brake and steering related issues it is always best to check with the experts.


Q. My cooling system is very milky in colour, even after I recently drained it all off and started from fresh. Why does this keep happening?
A. The cause of this is usually because oil and water is getting mixed together in the cooling system which can point to major engine problems. If however the route cause has already been rectified, then it may require a full flush of the system.


Q. I'm planning a long trip, should I have my Battery checked?
A. Let NMG carry out a FREE Health Check on your vehicles battery and we will check your charging system for you as well.


Q. Before my trip should I have my Fan Belt Checked?
A. Most modern cars no longer have Fan Belts, but have belts that drive one or more ancillary items (called Drive Belts), NMG will check your Drive Belts during a Visual Health Check.


Q. When should I have my Brakes checked?
A. You should have your brakes checked at NMG every 6 months or 6,000 miles. We can incorporate this in either a fixed price service or our Health Check option, at competitive prices.


Q. When should I check my Seat Belts?

A. Your Seat Belts are a major safety item and will be checked every year for your MOT, but NMG recommend you check all your Seat Belts every 6 months, or if you are concerned that they may have been damaged or become trapped in anyway. Naturally it is three years before the vehicles first MOT so you cannot leave it to chance. NMG would check your seat belts for you during service.


Q. I'm having difficulty opening my car doors; I think the key may be damaged.
A. Often over looked during servicing, Ignition keys do wear out given the high usage they receive; NMG will inspect and advise on the condition of your key and if fitted your Keyless Entry Fob. You really do need to be sure that your keys are in good working condition, especially as many modern keys incorporate the immobiliser and or alarm systems. Things like key fob batteries are often overlooked.


Q. What spares should I carry for long trips?
A. NMG sell several different travel packs specifically suited to your vehicle, call for recommended items your vehicle should have, but as a reassurance, spare bulbs, spare fuses, jumper cables, fuel cans, etc.


Q. How often should I check my Spare Tyre?
A. NMG recommends you check your Spare Tyre every time you check your road tyres; let NMG conduct a FREE tyre check for you. We will provide a report on the tyres and our prices for replacement are hard to beat.


Q. I can smell Exhaust Gas inside the cabin of my car, is this normal?
A. No, Exhaust Gas inside the vehicle compartment can be highly dangerous; you should get NMG to check your Exhaust System as soon as possible as the ultimate result could be a fatality from Carbon Monoxide poisoning.


Q. My engine sounds louder than normal, should I have it checked?
A. An increase in engine noise can be any number of things but often it is normally associated with an Exhaust System Failure, NMG can fit all makes of exhausts, call in for a Visual Health Check.


Q. I have just started driving, what should I carry in my car in case of emergencies?
A. NMG sell New Driver Packs tailored to your vehicle and to you, please call us for the full range of options and advice on the best kit for you.


Q. Every time I use my Air Conditioning System, I notice a puddle of water under the engine, is this normal?
A. A patch of water from the Air Conditioning Condenser is normal for most vehicles, but if you have any doubts, you can call into NMG for a Visual Heath Check and report. We are also trained in Air conditioning Servicing and Recharge.