What Does a Vehicle Health Check Include?

Fluids and what they tell you

The check normally starts under the bonnet. Engine oil level and condition, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid where fitted and screen wash are all looked at. Colour, level and signs of leaks can show a problem long before it makes itself known by warning light.

Low or dirty fluid is not always a fault in itself, but it points the technician towards what to investigate.

Brake fluid is an item people forget. It absorbs moisture over time, which lowers its boiling point and can slowly corrode the system from inside. A technician can often tell from its colour and from the age of the car whether it needs attention, even if nothing feels wrong at the pedal.

Tyres, brakes and wheels

Tyres are checked for tread depth, pressure, cuts, bulges and uneven wear. Uneven wear is particularly useful because it can point to alignment or suspension trouble that is not obvious from the driver's seat.

Where they can be seen, brake pads, discs and pipes are looked at for wear and corrosion. Wheels come off in some checks, but in others the inspection is made with the wheels on, so ask what is included. Any grinding, pulling or vibration you have noticed is worth mentioning at the start.

• Tread depth and pressure on every tyre
• Sidewall damage and uneven wear
• Visible brake pad and disc condition
• Brake pipes and hoses where accessible

Lights, wipers and the battery

All exterior lights are tested, along with the horn, wipers and washers. These are the small items that cause trouble at MOT time, so spotting them early saves a fail later on.

The battery is given a look too, including its terminals and, where the equipment is available, how well it holds charge. Batteries tend to fail with little warning in cold weather, so a check before winter is sensible.

Belts, hoses, suspension and exhaust

A technician will normally look at the visible drive belts and hoses for cracking and wear, and glance over the suspension, steering joints and exhaust for leaks, damage or looseness. These items are checked by eye, which means there are limits to what a health check can find.

Anything that needs a closer inspection, such as a rattle with no obvious cause or a warning light, is better handled through fault finding, which uses diagnostic equipment and more time.

It helps to tell the technician what you have noticed. A smell after a long drive, a vibration at a particular speed or a warning light that comes and goes are all clues. The more detail you can give about when it happens, the more precisely they can follow it up.

A health check will not pick up every hidden fault. Some problems only appear under load or when the car is hot, and others lie behind panels or inside components. Think of the check as a good first look, and not a full mechanical examination.

Early warning, no obligation

The value of a health check is in the early warning. You get a list of what is fine, what is wearing and what needs attention soon, without having to commit to any work on the spot. It is your decision whether to go ahead, delay or get a second opinion.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we offer vehicle health checks alongside our servicing and general maintenance. A check before a long trip, before winter or before an MOT can be a sensible use of your time.

Written notes are useful. Ask for the findings to be listed in order of priority, so you can see what affects safety and what is simply approaching the end of its life. A list like that turns a vague worry into a plan you can spread over a few months.

Frequently asked questions