Drop the car off
Bring it at the time we agreed and hand over the keys. Tell us if anything has changed since your enquiry, such as a new noise or a warning light.
Repairs
Car repairs and maintenance in Killingworth
Repair costs depend on your vehicle and the work needed. Send us your registration and a brief description of the problem, and we'll explain the next steps.
Grouped by problem
What we can look at
Repair prices depend on your car and what has failed, so each one is priced for you rather than listed with a number. Start with the description that sounds closest — we will work out the rest.
Brakes
Pads, discs, calipers, hoses, parking brakes and ABS faults. Pads and discs wear down, calipers can seize and ABS faults need testing before anything is replaced.
If you notice: squealing or grinding, a soft or long pedal, pulling to one side when braking.
Ask for a priceClutch and transmission
Clutches, dual-mass flywheels (which help reduce engine vibration through the transmission), gearbox repairs and transmission servicing.
If you notice: a clutch that slips or judders, difficulty selecting gears, vibration through the transmission.
Ask for a priceTiming belts and chains
Timing belts and cambelts (which keep key engine components working in time), wet belts, timing chains and auxiliary belts.
If you notice: a schedule that has come due, rattling or squealing from the belt area.
Ask for a priceEngine work
Engine repairs and replacement, head gaskets, oil and coolant leaks, turbos and engine mounts.
If you notice: warning lights, overheating, oil or coolant loss, unusual knocking.
Ask for a priceCooling system
Radiators, thermostats, water pumps and cooling repairs.
If you notice: overheating, a coolant warning light, visible leaks or a sweet smell.
Ask for a priceSuspension and steering
Springs, shock absorbers, suspension arms, bushes, bearings and steering repairs.
If you notice: clunks over bumps, vague steering, uneven tyre wear.
Ask for a priceElectrical faults
Alternators, starters, wiring, ECUs (a vehicle control computer), sensors, ignition parts and coding.
If you notice: a battery that will not hold charge, starting problems, warning lights or electrical faults.
Ask for a priceExhaust and emissions
Exhausts, catalytic converters, DPFs (the filter that traps soot in diesel exhaust), EGR and AdBlue faults.
If you notice: a loud or blowing exhaust, excessive smoke, an emissions warning light.
Ask for a price
Brakes and handling
If the car feels wrong under braking, stop and call
If the pedal goes soft or long, the car pulls when you brake, or the steering feels loose, pull over somewhere safe and ring us before you drive any further. We would rather hear from you than have you find out at the end of a slip road.
If the car still brakes and steers normally but something has changed, message us and we will book it in. Either way the repair is quoted for your car, and nothing is replaced until you agree it.
Call the garageWorth stopping for
- A pedal that feels soft or sinks further before the car slows
- The car pulling to one side when you brake
- Vibration through the pedal or the steering wheel
- Grinding or a metallic squeal that stays after the first stop
- Steering that feels loose, or the car wandering at speed
How a quote works
Agreed before anything is done
A symptom is not a diagnosis, and a quote is not a bill. Here is the process from your first message.
- Step 01
Tell us about your car
Call or send a message with your registration and what you have noticed. You do not need to work out the fault yourself.
- Step 02
Agree the price and the appointment
We confirm the total for your vehicle before the work is accepted, and agree a day that suits you.
- Step 03
Receive the findings
You get a clear explanation of what we found and what it needs. Any additional work is only carried out with your agreement.
What to expect
From drop-off to collection
Once your car is booked in, here is how the day runs. You hear from us before anything extra is done.
Inspection and testing
We look at the car and test the system the fault points to. That is what turns your description into a cause we can put a price on.
You agree the price
We call or message with what we found and the total to fix it. Nothing is ordered or fitted until you say yes.
The repair is carried out
We do the agreed work and replace only the parts that need it. If something unexpected shows up, we stop and speak to you before going further.
Check and collection
We check the work and road test the car where it applies. When you collect, we explain what was done and anything worth keeping an eye on.
Your approval covers the price, not just the job. Any extra work is quoted and agreed with you before it is started, and you are free to collect the car and think about it instead.
Pre-purchase
Inspections for a car you are thinking of buying
Priced for that individual car, because the scope depends on what you want checked.
Pre-purchase inspection
An inspection of a car you are considering buying, quoted for that vehicle.
Ask for a price
Car jargon, explained.
Terms you may hear from us
Not sure what your mechanic means? Here are some common terms explained in plain English.
Unusual noises
You do not need the right word for the noise
Describe what it sounds like, where it comes from and when it happens, and we will work out what to check. A noise is a clue, not a diagnosis, so we test before anything is replaced.
- A knock or clunk over bumps or when you turn
- A whine or hum that rises and falls with speed
- A rattle at idle that changes when you press the clutch
- A scraping or grinding noise when you brake
- A ticking or tapping that gets faster with the engine
Call 0191 236 6671
Repairs are only carried out once you have agreed the quoted price.
Questions