As a car owner, it is important to be able to distinguish between a service and a MOT. A service will check for wear and tear and parts/fluids will be replaced where necessary, whereas the MOT is there to provide a safety inspection to ensure roadworthiness.
If you are thinking to yourself "When should my car be serviced?", you will be interested to know that recommended car servicing intervals vary by make and model of the car; however, as a rule, it is recommended that your car should undergo a full service every 12 months or 12,000 miles - whichever occurs first.
Service due? Take advantage of Protyre's Gold, Silver or Bronze service packages!
Get your vehicle serviced by Protyre's experienced technicians, click the banner below to book now.
What happens if your car fails its MOT?
If your car fails its MOT, the garage will issue you with a VT30 certificate outlining the factors that caused the failure of the test. There is no time limit as to when a retest must be carried out. This is entirely up to the discretion of the individual; however, it is crucial to remember that any vehicle that does not have a current MOT certificate cannot be used on the road, apart from when going for repairs or to a pre-arranged MOT test.
You can get free MOT retests at your local Protyre garage if your car failed its MOT first time.
MOT due soon?
Click the button below to book now and prevent a last minute panic!
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Tracking issues
If you find your tyres seem to be wearing quicker than usual, this may be a sign of a problem with your car's wheel alignment, also known as 'tracking'. Incorrect alignment could also mean that you experience crooked/unstable steering, pulling from the steering wheel, or a steering wheel that is not level when driving. Your steering wheel may also stay at an angle even when driving in a straight line and your tyres may squeal occasionally.
There are many factors that may cause wheel misalignment, including worn suspension springs, incorrect adjustments and general wear and tear. Wheel misalignment is also quite common after accidents or even after hitting a pothole or bumping a curb.
Get a Free Alignment Check with Protyre
Protyre offer a number of free checks to keep your vehicle safe and on the road. Click the button below to book an alignment check.
Free Alignment Check
Getting your vehicle's wheels aligned regularly - every 10,000 miles or two years - is recommended and provides the following benefits:
Front wheel alignment costs an average of just under £35, depending on the make and model of the car. Remember that it is usually more expensive at a registered dealership than one of our trusted local Protyre garages.
Protyre Garage Services
Wheel alignment is just one of many Garage Services available at Protyre. Click on the button below to book now.
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About the author
By David SholicarDavid is the National Retail Operations Manager for Protyre. One of David’s areas of responsibility and expertise is dealing with the DVSA and MOT’s for Protyre. As the Authorised Examiner Designate Manager ( AEDM ) David deals with applications for changes to the many Vehicle Testing Stations ( VTS’s) including managing the growth of the Number of MOT testing stations that Protyre operate, allocating MOT tester roles, and monitoring the MOT Test logs to ensure that Protyre MOT standards are maintained as the best in the industry.
FAQs
Here are some common signs that you may be dealing with poor alignment:
- Your vehicle pulls to one side.
- Uneven or rapid tire wear.
- Your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight.
- Squealing tires.
- Shaking or vibrating steering wheel.
- Your steering wheel feels loose or unresponsive.
If you find your tyres seem to be wearing quicker than usual, this may be a sign of a problem with your car's wheel alignment, also known as 'tracking'. Incorrect alignment could also mean that you experience crooked/unstable steering, pulling from the steering wheel, or a steering wheel that is not level when driving.
How to check your own alignment? ›
Jack up one of the front tires, secure the vehicle on jack stands, then spray-paint a stripe on the tread while spinning the tire. Try to keep your hand as steady as possible so your line can be even on both tires. Measure from line to line with the tape level with the floor.
How do I know if my wheel alignment is done correctly? ›
Once the adjustments and toe angles are addressed, the mechanic restarts the car and removes the steering wheel lock before turning the steering wheel back and forth a few times. This is a good indicator of whether the alignment worked and how to proceed. Once complete, the steering wheel is re-centred and locked.
How do you tell if your tires are out of alignment? ›
5 Important Signs Your Vehicle Needs Wheel Alignment
- The Steering Wheel is Off-Center. One of the fastest ways to diagnose off-center wheels is via the steering wheel. ...
- The Car Pulls To One Side. ...
- Uneven Tire Wear. ...
- The Vehicle is Vibrating. ...
- The Wheels Are Visibly at Odd Angles.
Wheel alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels so that they are in the correct position. This helps to ensure that the car drives straight and that the tyres wear evenly. Wheel Tracking: Essentially another term for wheel alignment, it focuses on maintaining the correct position of the wheels for optimal performance.
What is the most accurate wheel alignment? ›
Thrust Alignment: A thrust alignment is the most accurate alignment for vehicles without adjustable rear suspension. Only the front wheels are adjusted. Here's how: There's no guarantee both rear wheels are pointed straight ahead as they should be. One may be pointed exactly forward and the other slightly off.
Can you drive a car with bad tracking? ›
Yes, you can drive with bad wheel alignment, but it is not recommended. It can cause your vehicle to pull to one side, and your tyres to wear unevenly.
How to check wheel alignment and balancing? ›
A good way to check is by looking at your car's logo at the center of the steering wheel, if it is tilted, then there is a problem with the alignment. Your vehicle is due for servicing if the wheel is tilted beyond 2-3 degrees on either side.
How do I find my alignment with myself? ›
How to find your own inner alignment: 5 routes to deeper...
- 1) Identify your values, who you are and your boundaries. ...
- 2) Challenge your current stories. ...
- 3) De-shame and bring about more self-compassion. ...
- 4) Tap into your inner allies. ...
- 5) Remove roadblocks with accountability and perspective.
Did you know can align your car in your driveway? All you need are a few simple tools and a little patience. Using strings to set the alignment on your car is a quick and dirty method to get you down the road after lowering your car or adding negative camber before hitting the autocross course.
How to know if wheel alignment is bad? ›
One of the signs that your car may be out of alignment is if it is constantly pulling to one side or another on the straight. Your steering wheel can also give you clues that you have an alignment issue, for example, if it appears off-centre when you are driving straight or if it vibrates.
How do I know if my tires need to be balanced? ›
The common symptoms of an out-of-balance wheel-tire assembly are uneven and faster tread wear, poor fuel economy, or vibration in the steering wheel and/or floorboard that gets worse at faster speeds. When all areas of the wheel-tire assembly are as equal in weight as possible, the tire will roll smoothly.
How do I know if I am out of alignment? ›
Anxiety, fatigue, short temper, inertia, and confusion are some of the signs you are trying to navigate while out of personal alignment. Just like with the car, we can always tell by the way we feel.
What is a symptom of incorrect wheel alignment? ›
The problems caused by imbalanced tyres and out-of-alignment wheels can be similar: poor fuel economy, rapid or uneven wear, vibrations in the steering wheel, or other handling problems.
What is the symptom of poor alignment? ›
Symptoms of Bad Wheel Alignment
Steering wheel is off center. Car pulling to one side. Uneven or premature tread wear on tires.
What are the symptoms of a bad wheel balance? ›
The common symptoms of an out-of-balance wheel-tire assembly are uneven and faster tread wear, poor fuel economy, or vibration in the steering wheel and/or floorboard that gets worse at faster speeds. When all areas of the wheel-tire assembly are as equal in weight as possible, the tire will roll smoothly.
