Small warning signs could prevent big repairs

Car repairs can be a costly affair, but often a major fault can be detected and caught early on, preventing a more expensive bill if ignored. There are many little glitches that our vehicles will experience in their lifetime and many of them can be an early warning sign. However, if diagnosed at your local garage as soon as the rattle, rumble or rip begins to appear, it could save you from a more costly repair job.

Here are some common faults about your car which could save you a fortune, if you take your vehicle to your local garage for a check-up as soon as you notice a difference in the sound or handling of your car.

Steering pulling to one side?

This could be caused by your wheel alignment being off, possibly because you hit a pothole or went over a speed bump too fast, but there are about four other reasons why this might be happening. Whatever it is, ‘steering pull’ as it is known in the industry, is a safety issue and should not be ignored.

Spongy clutch or brake pedal?

The most common cause of sponginess in brake or clutch pedals is air getting in which can prevent fluid from flowing properly. If anything feels different with your clutch or, more importantly, brakes, get it checked out quickly – it could be simply needing the fluid flushed or changed.

Very bumpy on roads?

If you feel every single bump or crack on the road while driving, this could suggest a suspension problem. This can be an expensive repair job. However, it might be something as simple as under-inflated or overinflated tyres. Firstly, check your car’s recommended tyre pressure in your handbook, then inflate accordingly. If the problem persists, take it to your local garage for investigation.

Noisy car when driving?

Any noise when driving that you have never noticed before is a warning sign. From a tapping sound to a popping noise or constant whirr, it is never good news. Sometimes the temptation is to leave it for a day or two and hope it goes away – but the most sensible (and cost efficient) thing to do is to take it in to your local garage as you may just stop a bigger repair from happening.