How to Find a Reputable Mechanic Garage in UK
It can always prove to be quite an arduous task to find good garages with competent mechanics while moving into a new locality in UK. Given the poor economic conditions in the recent times, many of the small garages have also shut down, which has left the patrons looking elsewhere for new repair shops. Searching for new trustable garages for getting the car repairs done can moreover turn out to be quite a challenge. Some simple instructions are stated hereunder to easily find reputable mechanics as well as garages in the UK:
- Asking friends as well as neighbors about the recommend local garages can be a good idea. This is because everyone needs car repair at some point or the other. Relying on the referrals for reputable mechanics can prove quite fruitful in locating the right mechanic garages. If possible, one should also enquire about the type of repairs done as well as the prior experience with the mechanic garages used.
- Looking for the various franchises of mechanic garages in UK can also be another viable alternative. The listing for the various regional as well as national chains can be checked out over the internet or various automobile magazines. The various advantages of the franchises are that they have a tendency to use the latest diagnostic equipment along with the newest repair information for the specific car models. This is almost unconditionally throughout the UK as the franchise owners are required to meet certain preset standards for being a part of the larger corporation. Problems while getting repair work done at franchises can be registered in the form of a complaint at the appropriate position in the corporate hierarchy.
- Another novel idea is to search for new fangled car dealerships which especially deal in the specific car make for which the repair work is to be done. Even though it is quite true, especially in the UK, that the dealerships do not always offer the cheapest prices for car repair work, but the growing competition for business in terms of car sales due to the slower economy has certainly lead to a steep decline in car repair costs. An additional benefit of utilizing the service department of the car dealers is that they only use the original car parts as the parts are frequently under warranty. Dealerships often focus only on the car brands which they sell. Thus, the mechanic garages of the car dealers have all the right tools which are needed for the proper repairs.
- It might also be productive to check out the various local business bureaus. If major work needs to be done such as the engine or the transmission work, it might be useful to check for any previous complaints against the various reputable mechanics being considered. Few complaints are usually the norm as even the best mechanic garaged have some unsatisfied customers, but any pattern of related complaints is clearly indicative of the fact that trusting the specific reputable mechanics with costly repair work is not advisable.
How to Identify Engine Problems
A typical car engine is made up of a number of different systems which are mechanically fitted together in order to provide functionality to the vehicle. However, while the engine systems can work harmoniously with one other, they might also malfunction like other devices. Troubleshooting and identifying car problems can turn out to be a very simple process if one complete understands the vehicle as well as its interactive relationship with the movable parts and the related functionality. Some of the general engine problems which may be experienced by the car drivers on the road as well as their most likely remedial solutions to resolve the specific issues are stated below:
- Engine Overheating – The functionality of the internal combustion engines is mad plausible by the utilization of the heat energy which is obtained from combustion of the fuel. Almost all types of the combustion associate in some manner with the waste heat, whereas the primary function of cooling system is managing the efficient disposal of the same. Thus, when the collecting, carrying and dissipating ability of cooling system reduces, the engine overheating might occur. While identifying car problems, the major malfunctioning causes for the cooling system should be evaluated. It might be the decrease in coolant fluid or the antifreeze level owing to the leakage or the evaporation. Other reasons for such engine problems might include low heat conductivity because of the deposits in water jackets of engine and the insufficient flow of air through the radiator.
- Engine Backfiring – The back firing or the after firing might occur when the wires of spark plugs have not been properly fitted, the carbon is sticking inside distributor cap or ignition timing has not been properly adjusted. While identifying car problems, it should be noted that backfire commonly implies the dark emission mixture of water and fuel which burns when the car starts up. The common cause of such engine problems is condensation which forms at top half of fuel tank. Thus, a regular change of the fuel filter would prevent the same.
- Cranking Engine Does Not Start – While identifying the car problems, such a trouble occurs when the engine makes cranking noises but doesn’t start due to the spark emanating from sparking plug as well as engine compression. Rectifying these types of car problems involves checking for slack hoses, which might be leading to the vacuum leak. The fuel system might also be problematic and it might prove fruitful to check for the problems of faulty pump, restriction in fuel lines and the blockage in fuel filter.
- Engine Noises – The engine noises might prove extremely fruitful in identifying car problems provided the various car noises are recognized in an intelligent manner. Unusual noise usually identifies the source of occurrence of the engine problems and can thus aid in taking immediate remedial measures in order to avoid major repairs later. However, it requires a little experience to interpret the various engine noises as well as the manner in which they can be differentiated from one another.
How to Choose the Best Method of Vehicle Transport in UK
Several plausible reasons might often make it necessary for people to move their cars in the UK. Moreover, moving or even simply going for a long vacation might necessitate that the car might also need to be transported along with the passengers. In addition, scenarios involving the buying of the cars or selling of the cars online might also necessitate the car transport over great distances. In any of the aforementioned cases, multiple options are available for car transport within the UK by using the various reliable vehicle transport options available. These might cover a myriad range of prices as well as maintenance levels. The various options available for transporting cars within the UK are outlined underneath:
- Driving: It is perhaps the simplest way available which involves driving the car in order to move it. However, the basic assumption in this case of transporting cars is that the car which is being moved should be in a proper working order, in addition to meeting all the requisite safety standards. In case the trip is one-way, the car transport driver might also require some means of coming back, via air or road.
- Towing: An additional option for transporting cars is towing. This alternative however is mostly useful whenever the car which has to be transported is not in a running condition or has not been registered for being driven legally on the public roads. For the same purpose, a myriad number of shipping companies offer the towing packages which allow the transporting of cars by many standard rent vehicles which are especially equipped with the trailer hitches. Moreover, the towing preference will entail the need of a vehicle whose towing capacity exceeds the weight of the car, which in effect implies reduced fuel efficiency owing to the additional weight. The driver would also require a vehicle using which the return journey would be possible.
- Shipping: Several shipping options are also available nowadays for transporting cars. Out of the available options, the open flatbed type of carriers is the most economical. Even though this might expose the car to unwanted elements as well as road debris, but on the upside, it would require the car to be driven as the motorized system is instead used to load as well as unload the car. There are enclosed carriers are available for the purpose of car transport. Even though it is more expensive as compared to the other options, it offers protection to the car from outer environment, during the entire trip duration.
Choosing the best method for transporting the car involves taking many key factors into consideration. It should be firstly determined whether the car can be safely and reliably driven or not, even prior to checking whether the car is registered or not. The subsequent step should involve doing cost analysis in determining whether the gas savings cost while driving car to the destination is more economical than hiring a reputed shipping service company Some of the sports cars and the collectible models might require additional security and in that case, shipping inside an enclosed carrier vehicle might prove to be a better option.
Know More about Buying Cars at Auctions
Buying cars at auctions can turn out to be a great way of saving money, while getting a good deal at the same time. In addition, since most of the cars being sold at the auctions are in a great shape, little work might indeed need to be done on the same. Others cars at the auctions might even run right away. Also, since a majority of people do not shop for the cars at auctions, it also implies that one stands a very good chance of receiving a fine deal. However, it should be noted that buying auction cars requires one to get to the venue of the auction as early as plausible, along with a copy of the car value guide. The steps for buying cars at auctions are as follows:
- Firstly, prior to attending a car auction, it can prove beneficial to bring along the latest copy of a good value guide, which enlists the car value along with the recent car sales prices. This is important because it can give a definite idea about the market value of the various cars at the auctions. It can moreover ensure that one gets a good deal without paying too much.
- Next, it is advisable to get to the car auction at the earliest time possible as well as stay until the very end. This is because one never knows what exactly might turn up at the auction block for sale. Moreover, best car deals are typically found at beginning and ending of the day under normal circumstances. Reaching early at the car auctions also gives one the opportunity to get a good look over all automobiles prior to their auctioning.
- Asking around about the history of the interesting cars can also be a nice idea. The possibility of running an independent background check for the auction cars should be also explored if possible. Most of the car auctions nowadays also have special stands set up to offer the buyers a chance to run checks on the cars at auctions. This can prove to be quite necessary in order to evaluate whether the auction cars have undergone any major accidental damage in the past or not.
- After short listing the cars of interest, the premium on the same should be checked as it gets added to selling price of the auction cars. Tit is pivotal to understand that the premium is the specific amount which goes to auction house for the buying and selling services. It might ranges from the set price to the fixed percentage of the car’s value. Thus, the premium might make the deal a bit more expensive and thus it should be checked out beforehand.
- Bidding should only be done within the price range which one is comfortable with. For this purpose, the car value guide can shows the exactly typical value of the car and thus the bid should be approximately in that price range only. Keeping in mind the budget as well as the amount which one can afford to spend is thus very critical.
How to Determine the Cost of Shipping Car
The entire process of the transportation of the car by shipping can really turn out to be a very costly and taxing process unless the necessary measures are taken. As opposed to dealing with the hassles related to selling the car and consequently purchasing a new one at the new location, one can rather opt to shipping the car directly in order to save both time as well as money. The car transportation industry is quite large and thriving; thereby, there are loads of options available for the shipping the cars, depending upon the budget. The hassles in transporting the car can be reduced and simultaneously the anxiety involved in moving can be lessened by arranging the automobile to be sent to the new home.
The process of determining the cost for automobile shipping firstly involves contacting the trustworthy car shipping companies in order to get for quotes as well as estimations concerning the price of shipping the cars. However, it should be kept in mind that the companies which provide the most cost-effective automobile shipping should only be considered. There are myriad factors which can affect the final expenditure in shipping the cars. Some of these include the weight, type, model and size of the car, which affects the direct transportation pricing, and the shipping insurance cost, which must be purchased to ship the car, constitutes the indirect transportation pricing. The entire distance from the destination, as well as the choice between the domestic and the international shipment also drastically affects the absolute cost of automobile shipping. Some of the companies also change the vehicle shipping rates dependent upon the season as different weather conditions can affect the transporting process.
While dealing with the shipping companies, it can be a good idea to get all the various agreements in writing itself. This should include the estimates of the time involved in pick-up and delivery as well as the shipping and insurance policy estimates. A bill for lading should also be obtained from the shipping company at time of the pick-up. It should be noted that the bill should clearly specify the current condition of the automobile. It should also be ensured that no form or report should be signed unless it is read comprehensively and completely. Such precautions can help in making an effective claim if any damage to the car occurs while its shipment.
It should also be kept in mind that shipping the cars also involves several tasks like researching the reputable shipping companies, requesting the quote estimations, scheduling the date of pick up and arranging the payment. The companies moreover should also be contacted and booked in advance if possible. All these tasks cannot be accomplished in a short period of time. Thus determining the most economical automobile shipping requires organization as well as planning for the shipping of the car in advance itself. It should preferably be done at least three to four weeks before moving.
Understanding the Procedure for Exporting UK Cars
The first and the foremost thing to understand, while exporting a vehicle, is that the car must necessarily clear the customs at United Kingdom in order to be exported. According to the DLVA or the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency, the process of exporting a vehicle on a temporary basis for less than twelve months is simpler as the vehicle then continues to be taxable under the UK laws. However, if one chooses to permanently move the vehicle to another country, it can indeed prove to be quite a challenging task. In this regard, there are basically two types of exports which are possible for a car, from the UK: exporting permanently as well as exporting temporarily. The various steps which need to be followed for achieving both of these are stated hereunder in an elaborate manner:
1. Exporting Permanently
- Firstly evaluate the time period for which the automobile has to be taken outside the United Kingdom.
- The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency or DVLA should be contacted next in order to enquire about the exportation of the used car from UK. In order to export cars, it is generally required to complete the purple colored section which is called the “Notification of Permanent Export”. It is normally located on the registration card of the vehicle. After filling it out, it should be sent to the DVLA.
- The registration certificate should however be kept in possession for further use before exporting a vehicle. This is because it will be needed to register the automobile abroad after export of the used car from UK. A duplicate one can be easily obtained from DVLA if one has lost the original copy of this important document.
- The export cars shipper should be contacted at last in order to ship the car to the chosen country. It should however be ensured that the company guarantees the safety of the car.
2. Exporting Temporarily
- The government of the UK should be firstly paid the outstanding taxes on the vehicle if the export of the vehicle is being done for less than twelve months.
- It should also be ensured in advance that the car is kept under an insurance company n UK so that a tax renewal can be secured in the future. This proved to especially very useful when the overall taxable period comes to an end or expires while the car is still overseas due to some reason.
- The DVLA should surely be contacted if one loses the necessary registration certificate so that the licensing office can mail a new one before the export of the used car from UK. Moreover, one does not need to fill out any paperwork in relation to DVLA if it is required to export cars for lesser than a year.
- The shipping company which provides services to export cars should be contacted next in order to transport the car to the requisite destination.
Moreover, after one decides upon exporting a vehicle from United Kingdom, it is pivotal to strictly abide by the specified government procedures to export cars before finally transporting the purchased car to the requisite destination. Moreover, if one lived previously in UK and is now moving out, it becomes necessary to export the used car from UK. Exporting the used car from UK requires fulfillment of various rules depending upon whether the automobile has to be exported on a permanent basis or a temporary basis. Additionally, it should be noted that all of the countries forming the United Kingdom other than the constituent country Northern Ireland require one to follow the whole procedure. The steps listed hereunder describe the generic procedure which should be followed strictly in exporting a vehicle from the UK:
- If one is planning on exporting a vehicle for more than twelve months, the case is considered to be that of a permanent export. It requires that the notification of the permanent export section should be filled out on the vehicle registration certificate, which should consequently be sent to the DVLA. In case one loses the pivotal registration certificate, the application for the certificate of the permanent export should be filled out and provided to the DVLA before the deadline in order to export cars.
- The next step is to check whether the vehicle is under the category of personal export cars scheme in the UK. This is important, because under the personal export scheme, one is allowed to buy a car inside the UK, with intention of exporting a vehicle overseas without even paying the VAT taxes. Eligibility depends on whether the owner has already bought a car or will purchase a car in UK in addition to filling out the VAT notice number 705. In case while exporting a vehicle, it is found eligible for this scheme, a pink colored registration book will be received, indicating that the car which has been bought is tax free. However, if one is not a permanent member of EU, the vehicle has to be driven for twelve months before the exporting process, whereas an EU resident has to drive the car for six months before exporting the vehicle.
- An appropriate auto shipper should be located next in order to export cars to the other country. For this purpose, a number of UK based cargo shipping companies are available. The cargo insurance should also be bought necessarily, either in an independent manner or via the shipping company. It should also be made sure that selected shipping company should be registered to Federal Maritime Commission as well as has a functional shipping license.
- Subsequently, the export customs procedures should be completed next. It requires the filling out of the export forms over the internet or in the export office at the sea port from where the car will be transported. Most of the custom broker companies moreover also handle actual shipping procedure of the vehicle, which can turn out to be highly convenient.
How to Deal with Shipping Companies while Exporting Cars
Shifting the place of residence from the United Kingdom to any other country can turn out to be quite an arduous task, especially with regard to all of the household items which would need to be transported. However, if one additionally possesses a car, its movement is much simpler as it can easily be transported to its destination place with ease. This is because an international automobile shipping company can prove quite helpful in order to ship cars. It should be noted that two types of automobile shipping options are generally available. The first out of these is RORO or Roll On Roll Off, wherein the vehicle is driven and parked in the lower level deck of a transport ship and further secured for the transportation purposes. The other available method available to ship a car from UK is container shipping, wherein the automobile is secured inside a large cargo container, and is placed on a ship for further transport. The various steps involved in shipping a car from UK are outlined hereunder:
- The preferred mode of shipping should firstly be decided upon. It is usually noticed that RORO generally turns out to be the cheapest way to ship cars. However, if one needs to load the car up with the personal effects, then container shipping should be chosen because it is very difficult to pack anything along with a car, which is being shipped via RORO.
- The next subsequent step is to get the free online price quotes from the various international automobile shipping companies. However, it should be kept in mind that while filling out the free quote form, one should specifically state the type and make of the car to be shipped as well as the preferred method of shipping and the target destination.
- The price quotes obtained from the various shipping companies should be evaluated relatively in order to pick the right shipping company to ship a car from UK. It can also prove worthwhile to check if the price quotes include the port fees, the export certificate fees, car insurance or any other fees. If any of the above are not included, the extra cost for the shipping should be suitably obtained. It should also be made sure that the shipping company will fully assist in getting the requisite export certificate in order to reduce the customs delays.
- The selected company should be further contacted in order to arrange shipping of the car from UK using the specific contact details which are provided in the quote. Additionally, the transportation of the car to the port should be suitably arranged if one chooses not to drive it till there. Typically, this might result in extra costs and the amount mostly varies depending on the distance from the port. The date to ship a car from UK is generally fixed, but the due date of arrival at the destination always remains tentative.
- It is also a good idea to enquire whether the selected shipping company has its own ship cars agents at the destination port to assist with the customs as well as obtaining the vehicle. If not, assistance should be requested in arranging an experienced agent to lend a helping hand there at an extra cost.
How to Buy a Cheap Car in UK
The thought of buying big and luxury automobiles is often an enticing one, but in some cases due to the budget constraint or limited requirement, buying older and cheaper cars can turn out to be a better option. However the key is to stay realistic in balancing the demands and expectations with the available options of cheaper cars. Here are a few facts which should be kept in mind buying economical cars in UK:
- Most of the second hand cars in UK are around ten to fifteen years old. However, most of them are bound to be in good running shape once they undergo the necessary smog checks along with basic repair work.
- Choosing mechanical integrity of the cheaper cars over their appearance is pivotal. In fact, most of the cars which are available for economical rates are bound to have some dents, which would anyways require a fresh coat of paint.
- The less sought-after car models almost always turn out to be better buys. This is because such car models have lower resale values.
Once the specific car types have been decided, the cheaper cars can be found in various ways:
- One of the best places to search for the cheapest cars is in the neighborhood. This is because people frequently need to trade off the extra vehicles in their homes. Thus, looking for the older model cars with the sale signs in nearby yards and driveways can prove to be fruitful.
- Checking out the repair shops can also prove to be a great idea. This is because some people often sometimes abandon their automobiles, when they are not able to afford the repair bill. Such shops usually sell off the car at the price which covers the necessary repairs work. Thus a great deal on all such cars in UK is also a viable option.
- Although the inexpensive cars have much less probability of being advertised, some good media sources such as the trader publications, the internet classifieds or even the newspapers might have low priced classified ads advertising selling of cheap cars.
- The auto auctions which have became a hit nowadays for cars in UK offer a prospective option for people having a great sense of adventure. This is because even though the cars might be available at the most economical prices, test driving the car or inspecting the car prior to buying is not plausible. Additionally, the process of bidding for the cheapest cars can turn out to be very stressful at the least.
It is although important to note that the new as well as used car dealers do not generally engage in selling cheap cars. Finding such reasonably priced cars might be only sometimes plausible though in case a dealer decides to take a used car off the hands of an exchange buyer. Unfortunately, there will still be lots of overheads involved in this case which will make the selling price of the car higher. Thus, it is more advantageous to seek out the other options stated above.
How to Buy a Car at Auction
Buying cars at an auction is indeed a great technique in order to save money, while at the same time getting a good deal. In addition, the major benefit of buying a car at an auction is not only their great shape, but also the little or no repair requirement after they are bought. Since most of the people do not shop for the cars at the vehicle specific auctions, it can prove to be a good chance to bag a great car deal. The process of buying a car at the auction only requires the customers to reach the venue as fast as possible besides buying their own copy of the car guide. The following steps can be followed to buy a car at the auction:
- Bringing a copy of some popular variety of the value guides can prove to be a really great idea. This is because the guide can help one in easily evaluating the fair market price of the car being sold. It also ensures moreover that one can easily get a good deal while not paying too much at one time. The guides moreover also generally provide the information regarding the listing value of the cars along with the prices of the recent sales.
- Getting into the auction early as well as staying until the very end is pivotal. This is because one can never exactly know as to what would turn up at the auction block. Additionally, the best bargains can usually be found at the starting or the ending of the day. Being an early bird at the auction also one the golden chance to glance at all the cars which are to be sold on the auction block during the course of the day.
- Asking about the past account of the cars of interest can be a good idea. One can even see as to whether if it is possible to run an independent background check of the shortlisted cars for buying. Most of the car auctions nowadays offer the buyers an opportunity to run a background check, along with especially designated stands for this very purpose. This can be helpful in letting one find out information regarding any accidents and major damage which the car might have incurred in the past.
- While buying a car, checking out the premium addition to the existing car price can prove to be a good idea. This is because the premium is generally a specified amount of money which goes to the car auction house in lieu of its services. It generally ranges a fixed price to a fraction of the car auction cost. The premium at the car auctions may make the car deal a bit expensive, and thus it is recommended to check it out beforehand.
- Bidding within the comfort zone at the car auctions is crucial. The car value guide can be useful in estimating the typical selling value of the car and thus prevents bidding at a unusually high amount. Keeping the budget in mind while buying a car at car auctions is thus very essential.