Car Advice & Help
Straightforward advice to help you look after your car, understand common problems and know when something may need attention.
How often should you service your car?
Most cars should be serviced at least once a year, even if they haven’t covered many miles. Regular servicing helps catch wear before it turns into a more expensive repair and keeps important items such as brakes, tyres, fluids and filters in check.
A service can also uncover problems you may not notice during normal driving, including uneven tyre wear, low fluid levels, worn suspension components or a battery beginning to weaken.
At Durrants, we check the manufacturer’s service requirements when your vehicle arrives so we can identify anything additional that may be due.
Not sure if your car is due a service?
Send us your registration and mileage and we can advise.
Does low mileage mean a car doesn’t need servicing?
No. Engine oil, brake fluid and other fluids deteriorate with age as well as mileage.
Cars that mainly make short journeys can also suffer from condensation, battery problems and oil contamination because the engine may not regularly reach full operating temperature.
Even a low-mileage vehicle should generally still receive regular annual checks and servicing.
What does a noisy wheel bearing sound like?
A worn wheel bearing often creates a humming, droning or rumbling noise that gets louder as road speed increases.
The noise may change when you gently steer from side to side because the load on the bearing changes. However, tyres can sometimes make very similar noises, especially if they are unevenly worn or distorted.
If you hear a new humming or rumbling noise, it is worth having the car inspected rather than assuming the bearing needs replacing.
How do you know when your brakes need attention?
Common signs of brake wear include squealing or grinding noises, vibration through the steering wheel or brake pedal, increased stopping distance or the car pulling to one side under braking.
Brake pads and discs wear gradually, so problems are often picked up during servicing before they become obvious to the driver.
If the brakes suddenly feel different, the pedal feels unusual or you hear grinding noises, they should be checked promptly.
When should brake fluid be replaced?
Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time. As its moisture content increases, its performance can deteriorate and corrosion can occur inside braking components.
Many manufacturers recommend replacing brake fluid approximately every two years, although the correct interval depends on the vehicle.
We check the condition of the brake fluid during servicing and can advise if replacement is recommended.
Why are my tyres wearing unevenly?
Uneven tyre wear can be caused by incorrect tyre pressures, worn suspension components, wheel alignment issues or a tyre that has become distorted.
Looking across the full width of the tread can often reveal whether one edge is wearing faster than the other.
Tyres should also be checked for cracking, cuts, bulges and unusual lumps or high spots.
If a tyre feels or sounds unusual while driving, it is worth having it inspected even if the tread depth still looks good.
Why is my car pulling to one side?
A car pulling to one side can have several causes, including tyre pressure differences, tyre wear, wheel alignment, worn suspension components or a brake that is binding.
Road camber can also cause a slight tendency to drift, so occasional pulling does not always indicate a fault.
If the car consistently pulls strongly in one direction, particularly when braking, it should be checked.
Should you ignore a warning light if the car still drives normally?
Not necessarily. Some warning lights indicate relatively minor faults, while others can point to problems that may become much more serious if ignored.
A yellow or amber warning generally means the vehicle should be checked soon. A red warning light can indicate a more urgent problem and may mean the vehicle should not be driven.
If a warning light appears and you are unsure what it means, getting it checked early can often prevent a smaller fault becoming a larger repair.
Why does engine oil sometimes look milky?
Milky or creamy-looking engine oil can indicate that water or coolant has mixed with the oil.
There are several possible causes, ranging from condensation on vehicles used mainly for short journeys to more serious faults such as an oil cooler or gasket problem.
If you notice a significant amount of milky oil, unexplained coolant loss or overheating, the vehicle should be checked.
When should a car battery be tested?
Battery performance tends to reduce as a battery gets older, and cold weather can make a weak battery much more noticeable.
If the engine is turning over more slowly than usual, electrical systems behave strangely or the battery is several years old, having it tested can give an indication of its condition before it leaves you stranded.
Battery condition is also checked as part of our fixed-price service.
Will you carry out additional work without asking me?
No. If we find something that needs additional work, we will contact you before carrying it out.
We will explain what we have found and, where possible, provide the cost before any additional work is undertaken.
Are you insured to drive my car?
Yes. Durrants Ltd has motor trade insurance which allows us to drive customers’ vehicles on public roads with the owner’s permission.
This allows us to provide our collection and return service and to road-test vehicles where required.
Can I drop my vehicle off instead?
Yes. Although our collection and return service is convenient for many customers, vehicles can also be dropped off by prior arrangement.
Please contact us before travelling so we can confirm availability and arrange a suitable time.
Can I spread the cost of servicing or repairs?
Yes. Eligible customers can spread the cost of qualifying servicing and repair work over 3 months interest-free using Payment Assist, subject to eligibility and approval.
Find out more about spreading the cost
Are Durrants Ltd VAT registered?
Yes. Durrants Ltd is VAT registered and VAT is included or clearly shown where applicable on our prices and invoices.
What work can Durrants help with?
As well as fixed-price servicing, we can help with a range of vehicle maintenance and repair work including brakes, tyres, suspension and other general mechanical repairs.
We can also help arrange body repairs and alloy wheel refurbishment.
Need advice about your car?
If you’re unsure about a noise, warning light, service requirement or maintenance issue, feel free to get in touch.
Durrants Ltd offers servicing, tyres, brakes and general repairs, with collection and return available across the Isle of Man.
