There’s so much to see in this city, it’s a good idea to buy a guide book if you’re intending to stay a while. But to start with, the Grade I listed Manchester Art Gallery, the tiny neo-Classical Portico Library and the glorious Victorian Gothic Town Hall are all must-visits if you’re sauntering through the centre.

Other notable places are The John Ryland’s Library, The Museum of Science & Industry, and The People’s History Museum. The 15th century Chetham’s Library where Marx and Engels penned The Communist Manifesto is worth a browse.

When it comes to eating and drinking, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Behind the Manchester Art Gallery on Faulkner Street is Chinatown with its noodle bars and Asian cafes. And close to Piccadilly Station a cluster of luxury hotels host some of the city’s most exciting kitchens. There are shopping arcades and markets aplenty but explore King Street, New Cathedral Street and the 18th century St Ann’s Square for a diverse choice of shops, exclusive boutiques, smart cafes and luxury stores.

There are 36 NCP car parks in Manchester city centre in total, so finding a parking space might prove expensive but not impossible. Regular low cost trams, a park and ride service, and Metroshuttle, the city’s zero-fare bus service make dropping your car outside the centre an attractive option.

The Manchester region is served by extensive road networks with both linear and orbital motorways. The M62 (East) links Manchester with Leeds, the Humber ports, the M1 and the A1. The M62 West means driving to Liverpool takes less than an hour.

The M6 Northbound links Manchester to the Lake District, Carlisle and Scotland while the M6 Southbound links to Birmingham, Bristol, Wales and London. The M60 ring road loops the city and can become very clogged up between junctions 12 and 15, while traffic jams on the M6 due to ongoing roadworks and accidents are common, so avoid rush hour.

 

FAQs

What is a Car Service?

A car service is a routine health check for your vehicle, completed by a local garage. A mechanic inspects various parts of your car, checking for excessive wear and tear and recommending repairs where needed.

A car service is the best way to keep your car in good condition and helps to avoid expensive repairs and breakdowns. Some of the items assessed in a car service are:

• Tyres
• Oil
• Filter
• Brakes
• Timing Belt
• Windscreen Wipers
• Exhaust
• Suspension
• Steering System

 

Should You Get an MOT and Service at the Same Time?

You can see several benefits if you get an MOT and service at the same time. These include:

 

Convenience. Rather than finding time for separate garage appointments, you can combine this vital car maintenance into one. This means that your car spends more time on the road and you keep your life on track.

Cost-Effective. Many garages offer an MOT discount if you combine it with a car service. The more thorough the service, the bigger the discount can be. This allows you to keep your car safe and in top condition for less.

Decreased Chance of a Breakdown. Knowing that your car meets the legal limits of safety and roadworthiness gives you peace of mind, but a service is far more detailed than the MOT test. If you get the two done at the same time, you get a better picture of the condition of your vehicle. Plus, you get the knowledge that it is less likely to break down or need expensive repairs any time soon.

 

If you’re looking to achieve all the above, then you should get an MOT and a car service at the same time. Enter your reg and postcode to compare garages in Manchester and find the best deal.

 

Is it Cheaper to Book an MOT and Service In Manchester Together?

Many garages in Manchester offer a discount on their MOT price when you book a car service at the same time. That means booking an MOT and service together can make it much cheaper to keep your vehicle in good condition - so long as you choose a garage that offers a great deal.

 

How Long Does A Car Service Take?

Each car service takes a different length of time, due to the differing numbers of checks. On average, a car service takes:

• Around 1 and 1/2 hours for an interim service
• Around 3 hours for a full service
• Around 4 hours or longer for a major service 

If the mechanic finds extra faults, the repair time will take longer.

 

How Often Should I Service My Car?

You should always follow the service intervals specified in your vehicle handbook. Most manufacturers recommend booking a full service every 12 months or 12,000 miles - whichever comes first. They may also recommend booking interim and major services, as well as oil and filter changes, at other intervals.

The frequency of servicing depends on two factors:

• Your driving style
• Your yearly mileage

If you are an aggressive driver or you travel more than 25,000 miles a year, you may wish to service your car more often. Similarly, if your car sits around for long periods of time, you may wish to service it more often to protect it against the negative effects of disuse.

We recommend servicing your car at the following intervals:

• Interim Service every 6 months or 6,000 miles (if you have a high yearly mileage)
• Full Service every 12 months or 12,000 miles
• Major Service every 24 months or 24,000 miles

 

What Are the Benefits of a Mobile Car Service?

Convenience - Rather than having to find time to take your car to a garage and then trying to keep your life on track without it, you can have your car service completed at a location that works best for you. This could be your driveway or a car park at work during your normal day. This helps you avoid disruption.

Flexibility - You may be able to book a mobile car service on a weekend, evening or even overnight, depending on the mobile mechanics in your area. If your schedule doesn’t really accommodate servicing at a traditional garage, this can make your life easier.

Transparency - You get to see what is happening during your mobile car service at all times. This makes it easier to trust the quality of the work and gives you the peace of mind that all the checks have been completed to the highest standard.

Cheaper - A mobile car service involves less overhead costs and expenses, so they are often at least competitively priced against, if not cheaper than most local garages.

 

If you think a mobile car service will benefit you, enter your vehicle reg and postcode to compare instant prices from mobile mechanics near you.