Car Diagnostics in Market Drayton

What diagnostics actually involves

A fault code is a starting point, not an answer. It tells us which part of the system the car isn't happy with, but not what caused it. A code pointing at an oxygen sensor, for example, can be a failed sensor — or an air leak, a wiring fault or a problem somewhere else entirely.

So after reading the codes we go further: checking live data, inspecting the wiring and connections, testing components and carrying out physical checks on the engine and its systems. That way we replace the part that's actually at fault, rather than guessing and charging you for parts you didn't need.

Clearing a warning light without fixing the cause just means the light comes back — often with the car running worse in the meantime.

Faults we investigate

• Engine management light (EML) and other dashboard warnings
• Running faults — misfires, lumpy idle, lack of power, stalling
• Starting problems and non-starts
• Electrical faults — sensors, wiring, charging, lighting
• Mechanical fault finding — noises, vibrations, leaks, overheating
• Faults that come and go, or only appear when warm or cold

What happens when you book in

1. Tell us what the car is doing and when it does it.
2. We read the stored fault codes and live data.
3. We test and inspect to confirm the cause.
4. We explain what we've found in plain English and what it will take to put right.
5. Repairs only go ahead once you're happy.

Intermittent faults

Some faults are harder to pin down than others, particularly electrical ones that only appear occasionally. Where that's the case we'll be honest about it and talk you through the sensible next steps rather than throwing parts at the car.

Diagnostic costs

How long a fault takes to trace depends entirely on the fault, so we don't publish a fixed price. Contact us for a quote — tell us what the car is doing and we'll explain how we'd approach it.