We’re aware that many drivers often don’t know what they need when it comes to car repairs, unsure how to fix strange noises, smells or other issues to keep their vehicles on the road. As part of our mission to deliver exceptional vehicle repairs with a personal touch, we want to help better educate you about common repairs and how to identify when you should book each one.

As a result, here are some of the key services we offer at our expert garage in Wimbledon, with the symptoms you’ll likely experience and when you’re likely to need to book them to help you diagnose what your car needs.

Clutch Replacement

Difficulty changing gear, being able to push the pedal to the floor easily, a burning smell when using the clutch, grinding, shrieking or clunking sounds while changing gear or a higher biting point than usual all suggest an issue with your clutch.

You usually need to change your clutch every 40,000 to 100,000 miles or 8-10 years, with aggressive driving wearing clutches out sooner.

We offer a wide range of clutch services, providing thorough inspections and changing or repairing any parts as necessary to keep you in control of your car.

Brake Pad/Disc Replacement

A persistent squeaking, grinding or squealing sound when braking, poor braking performance or your car pulling to one side under braking are key signs that you need to either replace your brake pads or discs – or perhaps both. Your car may also have a brake pad warning light which will illuminate when part of your system needs changing.

Brake pads should last more than 25,000 miles, with careful driving and gentle braking extending their lifespan to 40,000 to 60,000 miles, while brake discs should last around 50,000 miles. We recommend replacing both sets in pairs and replacing brake pads and discs at the same time wherever possible to save you time and money.

We can expertly replace either your car’s brake pads or discs to ensure smooth, safe braking for years and miles to come.

Brake Fluid Replacement

Brake fluid should be light golden or amber in colour, with a thin, oily consistency and translucent qualities. If yours looks any different or you can push the pedal all the way to the floor or find yourself pumping the brake pedal to slow down, you need a brake fluid change to keep your car safe to drive.

We recommend replacing your brake fluid every 2-3 years or 20,000 to 30,000 miles as part of your vehicle’s regular maintenance. If your handbook says otherwise, or you receive a recommendation to change your fluid after a service, you should follow these intervals instead.

Suspension Repairs

Creaking when turning corners, poor ride quality or bodywork rubbing against your tyres all indicate suspension issues. As this system is made up of many different parts, it’s hard to identify exactly what’s wrong with your car without fully inspecting it first.

Despite this, suspension repairs are some of the least common car issues with repairs only needed when you specifically notice a problem – usually every 40,000 to 50,000 miles (but careful driving can extend this lifespan).

We can fix a range of suspension issues, fully inspecting your vehicle beforehand to find the exact cause of your problem to ensure we complete the right repair the first time.

Exhaust Repairs

Blue, black or excessive white smoke, a rattling noise coming from the exhaust or excessive noise or the smell of fuel within the cabin can all indicate an issue with your exhaust and the need for a repair. As the same symptoms can indicate several exhaust problems, we’ll need to thoroughly inspect the system to find what’s wrong before providing a comprehensive quote.

Fortunately, exhaust repairs are usually infrequent issues, with most repairs only required every 60,000-70,000 miles - unless your driving habits or external factors cause it to deteriorate faster.

We’ll always complete a thorough inspection before recommending the correct repair to ensure we get your car back in top condition first time.

Coolant Change

Regularly changing your vehicle’s coolant is crucial to keep it in top condition. If your coolant is dirty, dark in colour or you can see debris floating in the reservoir, you’ll need to replace the fluid to ensure your cooling system regulates your engine’s temperature properly.

We recommend booking a coolant change every 2-3 years, especially if the quality is noted during your next car service.

Wheel Alignment

If your car pulls to one side, you suffer excessive vibrations in the steering wheel or unnecessary tyre wear, it’s likely your wheels have become misaligned after a high-speed collision with a kerb, pothole or speedbump.

Most cars only need a 2-wheel alignment as they’re front wheel drive, but if your car has all-wheel drive, you’ll need to book a 4-wheel alignment.

While you only need to book a wheel alignment if you notice any of the issues above or whenever you change the tyre on your drive wheels, you can also book a preventative appointment every 2-3 years to keep your car moving smoothly.

What Should I Do if My Car Repair Isn’t Listed?

Even if your symptoms aren’t listed above, our Wimbledon garage is here to help. We offer exceptional car care across a range of makes and models at affordable prices to help you keep your car in top condition. We always use premium, OEM-approved parts and invest in cutting edge technology to provide the highest quality car care, whatever your vehicle needs.

We also have a mobile mechanic service covering most areas of South London including Tooting, Streatham, Mitcham, Clapham, Sutton, Kingston upon Thames and Thornton Heath to help even if you can’t get to us.

Local drivers love what we do and trust us to deliver a range of exceptional car repairs that truly revolve around you. Contact us today to discuss your issue or book an appointment using our online tool if you now know what you need.

FAQs

I can’t work out what repair I need, what should I do?

If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your car, book an inspection at our Wimbledon garage and we’ll find the problem for you. We just need to know what symptoms you’re experiencing, so please provide as much detail as possible to help us start our inspection.

Will these repairs take long to complete?

Some services like a wheel alignment, coolant change or brake fluid change take around an hour to complete, while clutch replacements and some exhaust and suspension repairs can take several hours.

We’ll be able to provide a clear time estimate once we’ve inspected your vehicle and identified the repair you need.

Is it worth working out what’s wrong with my car?

While you don’t need to know what’s wrong with your car to book an appointment at our garage in Wimbledon, it’s quite useful if you do. Knowing what your vehicle needs helps us pinpoint the problem quicker, ensuring a speedy turnaround, and it means you know exactly how much your repair is going to cost.

If you want to know what repair your vehicle needs but you can’t work it out, give us a call to discuss your problem in more depth and give you an accurate, competitive quote.

What should I do if my symptoms aren’t listed on this page?

If you can’t see your symptoms on this page, but your car has a problem that needs repairing, either give us a call or book an appointment at our garage in Wimbledon. We’ll find out what’s wrong with a thorough inspection and then provide an affordable repair quote.