We had a scare last Monday. My wife came back from University and informed me that there was a strange sound coming from below the car. It’s always scary when I hear stuff like that because of the extremely high cost of spare parts and service charges here in the UK.
There had been quite heavy rains and on the way back my wife found a stretch of the road flooded. She drove through it and came through safely even though she noticed several cars had stalled on the road. However, right after that a strange sound started emanating from the car. I took the torch and checked under the car - there was something hanging underneath. At first I thought it might be some box that had got stuck there but on closer inspection realised that it was some part of the car.
Next day, I drove down to Taxi & car repairs on Stony Stanton road. Found that it was closed. I then tried two more workshops but none had their ramps free. I suddenly remembered TPS Autos Ltd in Foleshill. According to the old timers here, the Punjabi owner charges a bit higher than the rest but as I had no choice, I drove there. Fortunately, he has a ramp empty and we quickly found the problem.
The heat shield over the exhaust had come out, probably by the force of water, and was scrapping the road. Pritpal Singh did some temporary repairs (just pushing it back into place) and informed me that I could just take it out and won’t do any harm. I was reluctant but he informed me that a new one would cost me around £100. So I just told him to leave it as it was.
Every vehicle in the UK has to go through the dreaded mandatory MOT test. The name derives from the now defunct Ministry of Transport, but is still officially used.
The test is carried out annually to most vehicles over a certain age to ensure that they are safe and roadworthy.
It’s that time of the year for our car. So I went over to a nearby garage recommended by some of our friends - TPS Autos Ltd in Foleshill.
I was praying that everything would be OK and I wouldn’t have to change anything. Unfortunately that was not to be and I found out that:
1. Nearside front brake pipe excessively corroded [3.6.b.2c]
2. Front headlamp aim too low [1.6]
I was a bit sceptical about the second fault and had a feelign the guy was ripping me off but I kept my mouth shut.
It cost me £45 for the test itself and £80 for the replacements and repair.
Total damage: £125/
Is that costly?
Cars are cheap in the UK but the cost of maintenance, insurance and other extras are really high.
Reminds me of a story I heard from a friend. The story goes that one guy found out that he would have to fork out more than the price he had paid, to fix the car. He just drove it straight to the scrap yard and sold it for a few pounds.
In case you are interested, the owner’s name is Pritpal Singh and here’s the full add of the garage:
TPS Autos Ltd
14 Boston Place
OFF Durbar Avenue
Foleshill
Coventry CV6 5NN
My only complaint was that they did not have a customer waiting area.
Find your nearest UK MOT test centre here.
Tags: Coventry MOT Workshop
My car was overdue for it interim servicing (it’s done 82764 miles). As I am new here in Coventry, I asked around. My dear friend Wahab recommended Taxi & car repairs on Stony Stanton road. It’s next to the “Cheap New Tyres” shop. You won’t miss it.
Yesterday I heard a knocking sound coming from the back whenever I drove over a speed bump. On checking, found out that my exhaust pipe had come loose.
Went over to the workshop and they did a temporary fix and asked me to come in the morning for servicing the car.
So early this morning I left my car at the workshop. According to my Service guide, it was also time to change the camshaft drive belt (also known as the timing belt). I was shocked when I found out that it would cost me £125 (inclusive of £60 service charge).
I was really happy when Mr. Isfaq, the boss at the workshop told me that the timing belt had been changed early last year according to a sticker on the engine and after opening the engine, he had confirmed that it was still new. I saved quite a bit.
Isfaq showed me the old oil filter. It was filthy and looked like it had never been changed since the previous owner bought the car.
I paid £100 (considered very reasonable) for everything including the parts and service charges. This also includes 2 new wipers and for fixing the exhaust.
Actually felt a big difference in the car’s performance when I drove back.
Thanks a lot guys.
I whole heartedly recommend:
Taxi & Car Repairs
563 Stoney Stanton Road, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 5ED
Tel: 024 7668 7000
Tags: Coventry Workshop
The heat shield over the exhaust had come out, probably by the force of water, and was scrapping the road. Pritpal Singh did some temporary repairs (just pushing it back into place) and informed me that I could just take it out and won’t do any harm. I was reluctant but he informed me that a new one would cost me around £100. So I just told him to leave it as it was.
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