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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

whats the difference between a service & MOT?

A service maintains your car and keeps it as ‘healthy’ and efficient as possible, whereas an MOT test is a legal requirement that checks whether your car is still safe and road-worthy. During a service, certain parts for your car may be removed, checked and/or replaced. This is not the case with an MOT as it is simply a test of function and safety and has to be carried out every year once your car is 3 years old.

So, to legally tax your car and drive it on the road, you must have a yearly MOT test by law. If your car fails it’s MOT, the required repairs MUST be made in order for you to gain a pass certificate and continue using the car legally.

Unlike the MOT test, servicing is not a legal requirement, but for reliability, efficiency and longevity of your car it is a very good idea to book a regular service. It will save you a lot more time and money in the long run! To make it as simple as possible many people get their car’s service and MOT carried out at the same time meaning it’s easier to remember and fit in with other life’s commitments.

are you able to work on my van/motorhome?

Yes, we can cater for almost all size of vans, campervans and motorhomes for all servicing, repairs and MOT’s including class 7, high-top & tag axle vehicles.

how often should i service my vehicle?

As with everything, there is not a ‘one size fits all’ answer to how often you should get your car serviced as it depends heavily on the following factors:

  • Your yearly mileage

  • The make and model of your car

  • The age of your car

But to make it a little simpler, a helpful guide is to aim to get your car serviced every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes around sooner.

You can find out the service history in the car’s service book which should come with most vehicles when you purchased it. Always ensure you bring this book with you when having your car serviced so the garage can stamp it and keep it up to date. If you don’t have a service book for your car, don’t panic; we have our own service books available to buy.

im interested in buying a second-hand car and have found one i like for sale. can you check it over before i commit to buying?

Yes, we are always happy to help anybody who it looking to buy a second-hand car make the right decision. We understand that knowing what to look for can be a bit of a mine-field. So, if you have seen a car you like the look of and want a clearer picture of it’s condition, you can book it in with us for a ‘once-over’.

How does it work? Once a designated time is booked with us and have arranged it with the seller, you can bring the car to our workshop for us to inspect. We will then give you a detailed inspection report you can then take this into concideration when making your final decision and/or negotitating the price. As with everything… knowledge is power!

do you offer mot’s or work on motorbikes?

Unfortunatley, we do not currently work with motorbikes or scooters. We would happily signpost you to somebody who can though!

what should i do if my car breaks down?

First and foremost, get to a safe designated area.

Secondly, check if you have breakdown cover. If not give us a call.

We offer recovery services in the southest of England (subject to availability). We know this can be a very stressful situation and so we always aim to assist you in the most calm and efficient manner. When you call, we will ask for your location so we can provide you with a estimated time of arrival. We will then come and pick you and your vehicle up and deliver you to your home or chosen garage (it doesn’t have to be R.A.M Autos!)

The cost for recoveries will depend on the distance, vehicle type and circumstances of the breakdown. This will be quoted and agreed with you once we are provided with the location & details.

I want to get my car serviced- What types of service do you offer and what do they involve?

You may have noticed that there are different types or ‘levels’ of vehicle servicing available, and there can be some variation in their titles and what they involve, depending on the garage. The type of service you chose may be dictated by the age, mileage and service schedule of your car – we have access to all manufactures service data so can also advise and tailor services to suit both your vehicle and your budget.

These descriptions refer to general types of services we offer at R.A.M Autos and the amount of work that’s done on your car with each:

Bronze Service (‘Interim’)

A Bronze service involves a change of your car’s oil filter and engine oil, removing any dirty residue and cleaning the system to keep everything working as it should. A visual inspection will also be carried out on important systems of your car including the brakes, suspension, steering, tyres and electrics to highlight any upcoming issues or future considerations for your car. All under bonnet levels are checked and topped up if required and all tyre pressures are checked and adjusted.

Silver Service (‘Mid Level’)

A Silver Service gives your car a bit more ‘TLC’. It includes everything from the Bronze Service with the additional change of your car’s interior cabin filter. The technician will also conduct a more thorough visual inspection of certain components to get a clearer picture of the overall health of your car and carry out any adjustments as required to make your vehicle run and drive smoother.

Gold Service (Full Service)

A Gold Service is even more in depth and is the most thorough way to look after your car and optimise its performance and future. It includes all items from the Bronze and Silver Services with several additions. These include changing of both the engine air and fuel filters and in the case of petrol engine vehicles the spark plugs. Some manufactures will also recommend the changing of other fluids such as gearbox oils, brake fluid or engine coolant.

What will it cost to have my car serviced at R.A.M Autos?

We know cost is often a big consideration when choosing a service for your car. We’re also conscientious about the quality of the work we provide and our ability to be as open about the price as possible. So, we tend to quote each service individually depending on what level of service is required, the time it will take to complete and the cost of the parts, which can vary depending on the make, model and age of your car.

We always ask our customers to have their car’s registration number handy when they call us, so we can quote them an accurate and fair price for their service. Customers can also request a quote or book a service via our online Contact Form.