#tipthursday Save money in the long run by servicing your vehicle

The benifits of serving your vehicle reguarly and how it can help save you money.

Booking your service can often seem like an unnecessary expense, especially at the moment with the rising costs of living. However, by following your service schedule as much as possible, you will help to reduce future vehicle repairs and maintenance costs.

Benefits of servicing your vehicle regularly inc,

  • It helps your car run effectively and efficiently, saving on fuel and maintenance costs.
  • Prolongs the lifespan of your car.
  • Prevention of parts failing and further, more costly repairs.
  • It helps keep you safe and legal on the roads.
  • Less likely to break down saving on the costs of recovery & repairs.
  • A well maintained and cared for car will hold more of its value if you decide to sell.
Service your vehcile
Prevention is better (more cost-effective) than cure, especially when it comes to vehicles.

Estimated prices for your particular make and model of vehicle are available upon request. (Each and every vehicle is so different (amount of oil required, parts needed, etc, can all affect price), that we don’t advertise fixed prices.) If you have any questions about servicing or would like to book your vehicle in, call or email us.

#tipthursday 3 tips to get your vehicle summer-ready

Our 3 top tips for summer vehicle care

As summer approaches and (fingers crossed) warmer, sunnier weather is on the way, it’s a great time to make sure your vehicle is good to go to make the most of it. Here are our top 3 tips that’ll help keep your vehicle in top condition for summer driving,

  • Book an air-con check/ service. AC services help to keep your air conditioning system working at its best. Over time the system won’t blow as cold air as it should, getting it serviced will help keep it efficient and maintained. A must for any staycation or travel plans during the warm summer months.
  • Book a FREE vehicle health check. A vehicle health check gives our mechanics the chance to give your car a really good overall inspection up on the ramp, and most importantly, all the safety components. Booking before any road trips or staycations will mean we can make sure your vehicle is safe for long drives.
  • Make sure your service schedule is up to date. By keeping up with your service schedule, you are effectively prolonging your vehicle’s lifespan, efficiency, economy and re-sell value. Making driving a lot more comfortable and lessening the likelihood of breakdowns or parts failing.

If you have any questions about how we can help get your vehicle summer-ready, just get in touch.

#tipthursday Book your service with Maitland Motors

Why you should keep up with your vehicle’s service schedule with Maitland Motors

Booking in for a service may feel like an expense that’s just not worth the time or money, however as we say here at Maitland Motors, prevention is always better than cure. By keeping up with your service schedule, you are effectively prolonging your vehicle’s lifespan, efficiency, economy and re-sell value.

Skipping on services can affect how well the vehicle performs, resulting in very costly repairs. We had a 5-year-old car in the workshop that had never been serviced. Upon inspection, below is the condition we found the oil sump in; completely congealed with oil. The repair for this is an expensive one; a whole new engine. At service, the old oil would have been drained out, and replaced with new oil alongside a Forte engine flush that would have removed a lot of contaminants within the oil filtration system. The oil has congealed like this due to dirt, contaminants and carbon build-up.

The oil sump of a 5-year-old vehicle, is completely congealed with oil.

Not forgetting all our services include OE quality and highly reputable parts from Mann Filters and Miller Oils. Also, we take the time to check over the rest of the vehicle for any possible safety issues/ concerns so, you are fully aware of the current condition of your vehicle.

#tipthursday Maitland Motors
New Mann oil filter ready to replace the old one for a Ford Fiesta

For more info on the Importance of Servicing your Vehicle, check this previous post on our blog.

To book your service with Maitland Motors please just call the office or email us.

#tipthursday Book a free brake check

We all know how important having healthy and fully working breaks are. You really want to drive your vehicle feeling 100% confident that if the worst was to happen, it’s going to keep you safe. If your brakes have started to feel different, make noises or have already started to fail, then we’d definitely recommend booking in for a brake check.

Maitland Motors: Pagid/ IMI Brake Specialists
Maitland Motors is proud to be Pagid/ IMI Brake Specialists, so you can be assured that we know about fitting good quality breaks.

Driving conditions, mileage, driving style and general wear and tear of such a used part of a vehicle can cause your brakes to deteriorate. So, getting them checked by a professional every so often will help to ensure your vehicle is well maintained and more importantly, safe to drive.

Checking the brakes is involved during our Free Vehicle Health Check where we visually check the suspension, levels, tyres, exhaust, battery health and lights. Our techs can then give you an overview of your vehicle’s health and a no-obligation quote of any works they recommend be carried out.

To make a booking, call our office on 01592 328848 between 9 am – 5 pm or email maitlandmotors@gamil.com.

#tipthursday Help your vehicle pass its MOT

We believe prevention is better than cure here at Maitland Motors, which is especially true when it comes to your vehicle passing its MOT first time or not.

Here are a few easy checks you can do at home before dropping your vehicle in for MOT that could help achieve a first-time pass, avoiding waiting on re-tests and repairs.

Checks can include,

  • Is there water for your window screens?
  • Are your levels inc oil topped up to the correct level?
  • Do your wipers work correctly and keep the windows clean and clear?
  • Do all your bulbs work? (Inc indicators and fog light?)
  • How are your tyres looking? When was the last time you had them replaced? Are they inflated to the correct pressure?
  • Are all your seatbelts working and assessable?
  • Are there any warning lights illuminated on the dash?
  • Check your mirrors. Is there a clear view of the roads behind and around you?
  • How do your brakes feel? Do you hear any noises while braking? Are they less reactive than they once were?

If you do spot or feel that something might contribute to your vehicle failing, getting it booked in or making us aware of it before testing means our techs can address it quickly and efficiently. Also, you are without your vehicle for as short a time as possible and have a better idea of any costs involved beforehand.

If you’re unsure about doing this at home, we’d advise booking in for a Free Pre-MOT. Our trained and qualified techs can do it for you. Call or leave a comment below for more info or to book in here at Maitland Motors.

#tipthursday Book a winter battery check with Maitland Motors

Did you know, the latest ADAC roadside assistance statistics show nearly 40% of all car breakdowns are a result of battery issues. Our technicians can give you an insight into the health of your battery with a FREE winter battery check, giving you peace of mind that you can rely on your battery this winter or if its time to replace it.

Your battery can be affected by age, only being used for short, irregular trips and a change of weather temperatures. Not forgetting the demands from modern vehicles, such as phone charging, seat heating and GPS.

Here at Maitland Motors, we can quickly check the health of your battery. We start by checking for corrosion on the terminals as well as the voltage output. Then we check the charging rate of your battery, providing a clear indication as to its condition or health. It also gives us the chance to spot any underlying battery faults before they become an issue. Our battery testers can check all batteries including those with stop/ start technology.

Maitland Motors are proud to fit Varta batteries who have over 130 years of experience in the industry. Along with a 3-year guarantee, we find them to be a great choice for your vehicle. (We are in no way endorsed or a partner with Varta, we just find they are the best choice on the market for our customers.)

To book a battery check, which is also part of our Free Vehicle Health Check, call our office or drop us an email.

What is a DPF?

You may have noticed that Maitland Motors have become a part of The DPF Doctor network, but what does this mean for you? (If you drive a petrol vehicle then nothing. (Petrol vehicles are not fitted with a DPF, so you don’t need to worry.)  

Our diesel customers may have heard or have had issues with their DPF, so how can we help you? 

What is a DPF? 

Your DPF (diesel particulate filter)  helps limit the amount of pollution (soot) emitted from diesel vehicles entering our atmosphere, improving emissions. New Euro 5 exhaust emissions legislation made it mandatory for all diesel to be fitted with a DPF from 2009 onwards.  

The DPF works by carrying out a process called DPF Regeneration. DPF regeneration is when the excess soot, which has been trapped and collected by the DPF, is burnt off at a very high temperature. Burning is activated in 1 of 2 ways, Passive or Active

Passive DPF Regeneration is activated when the exhaust temperature is high enough so that the DPF can do its job of burning off the soot. These high temperatures only take place at speeds of at least 40 mph driven for at least 15 minutes. In other words, a nice long drive on the motorway should activate your DPFs passive regeneration without you having to do anything special. You could have issues with this if you tend to take short, slow, stop-start journeys when the vehicle doesn’t have the chance to get to a high enough temperature to activate the process. Factors that could also cause issues inc, lack of maintenance, wrong oil or driving on empty.  

Active DPF Regeneration is activated when the filter reaches 45% capacity (soot collected) and fuel is injected automatically. This increase in fuel makes the exhaust temperature rise so that it can then burn off the soot. Regeneration is activated on longer journeys, so again, if you tend to do low, slow miles, the DPF won’t have the chance to do its job. 

Looking after your DPF will save you costly repairs and help your diesel run safely and efficiently, new DPFs can cost at least £1000! So if you notice the DPF warning light is on, then taking your vehicle for a nice long drive may be all that’s needed to start the regeneration process (especially if you’ve been working from home or not travelling much). If your light is still on or it’s stating a full DPF it may be time for an expert in DPF care to inspect and diagnose the issues. 

Alongside the leading industry knowledge and products from our friends at The DPF Doctor, we can help keep your DPF running and doing its job. Firstly, we would be to carry out a DPF Assessment, which includes specific tests and measurements using our extensive training. This costs £75 + vat and you will be given a full report on the condition of your DPF and what the next steps (if needed) are to get your DPF running smoothly and efficiently again.  (All works advised are under no obligation.)

Please call or email our office with any questions or if you would like to book a DPF assessment. 

Should I service my car?

Here at Maitland Motors, we understand that sometimes you have to priorities where and when you spend your money. Often, the family vehicle is near the bottom of those priorities; a birthday, new school shoes or an unexpected bill often needs paying first. However, keeping your vehicle maintained is a proactive way to prevent unexpected garage bills and can help the funds you do spend go further.


Following your manufacturer’s service schedule is an easy and effective way to get the most from your vehicle. (You’ll find this in your vehicle’s manual or your dash might pop up with a reminder.)

Why should I service my car?
Regular servicing ensures that essential parts (brakes, suspension, etc) are running efficiently and to your needs and requirements. The more miles you drive, the more you should expect parts to deteriorate due to wear and tear. It can also give our technicians the chance to spot and nip potential problems in the bud before they develop into an expensive, lengthy repair that otherwise could have been avoided. Regular servicing also helps the vehicle maintain its value price if you decide to resale.


My car passed its MOT, does it still need a service?
Your MOT is a legal requirement set out by the DVLA that checks the roadworthiness of a vehicle. To pass, it only needs to meet the minimum road safety and environmental standards. Some MOT checks will overlap with a service, however, not everything is checked such as testing the condition of your oil and filters. The main difference is your MOT ensures your car is safe at the time of testing, services are a maintenance measure to help prolong its lifespan, improve efficiency and lower economic costs.


Meaning if you want to save money in the long run, we would always recommend servicing your vehicle. Like we say here in the workshop, prevention is always better than cure. Especially, when it comes to cars!!
To help spread the cost of your service we also offer Payment Assist where you can spread the cost of your bill over 4 monthly payments, fee and interest-free. (Please ask for more details.)


To book a service here at Maitland Motors drop us an email or call our office. We always use OE quality parts on all services such as Millers Oil and Mann Filters. Your vehicle is also given a Free Health Check as standard, breaking down our findings & costs involved.

#tipthursday Check your Discs & Pads

It’s essential to keep your brakes well maintained and in good working order to help ensure your vehicle is safe to dive. Discs and Pads are integral parts of your vehicle’s braking system and can last anywhere between 25,000 – 60,000 miles depending on driving style and the vehicle. (More info for your make & model can be found in your owner manual.)

New vs old brake pads, showing just how worn out they can get.

If you hear any noises while braking such as squealing, your vehicle is pulling to one side or any dash warnings come on, it may be time to get your Discs & Pads changed.

The good news is that Maitland Motors are a Pagid/IMI Professionally Accredited Brake Specialist and checking the condition of your brakes is something we do for FREE during our Vehicle Health Checks.

We are proud to work with industry experts, Pagid and only fit their brake Pads and Discs that come with a 25-month/25-thousand-mile guarantee.

If you have any questions about your breaks, call or email the office and we’d be happy to chat you through any solutions.

#tipthursday What is wheel alignment and should I get it done?

Wheel alignment (also known as tracking) ensures that your wheels are sitting at the correct angles as per the manufacturer’s specifications for your vehicle. Over time, general use and wear & tear of your vehicle mean your wheels can become misaligned and inefficient. Every make & model has a slightly different alignment set up with manufacturers recommending that alignment is carried out every 8000 miles or every other year.


A sign of poor alignment is uneven tyre wear that can impact the handling, maintenance costs and most importantly, vehicle safety. Pulling to one side while driving is also another warning sign to look out for.

We use a handly bit of kit called a Laser Wheel Alignment Gauge which uses lasers to show us how straight your wheels are sitting.

Benefits of having properly aligned wheels are,

  • reduced tyre wear (meaning they’ll be more efficient and need replacing less often)
  • a smoother and safer drive
  • reduced fuel consumption (as the vehicle doesn’t have to work as hard to power forward)

If you would like us to check your wheel alignment please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling the office or sending an email.