Compare Car Diagnostics Near You

How to Book Car Diagnostics Near You

1. Enter your vehicle reg and postcode.
2. Compare deals. You can sort garages in your area by whatever best suits your needs: price, distance, reviews and ratings or availability.
3. Pick a date and time for your appointment.

After you book your diagnostic check, we send you a confirmation email with a summary of your booking. We also inform the garage and they may also be in touch to confirm the appointment or to ask for extra details.

You never pay for your booking until after all the work has been completed and deal with the garage directly after the initial booking process. You also have the ability to change or cancel your booking for free until the day of your appointment.

Why Book Your Car Diagnostic Check Through BookMyGarage?

We have helped over 11.5 million drivers compare and save on their MOT, servicing and repair costs at local garages. In fact, when you compare garages near you through our online comparison site, you can save up to 70% when you choose one of the lower-cost options!

As one of the UK’s leading MOT and service comparison sites, we’re dedicated to helping drivers save money on their car maintenance. Here are just some of the ways we keep you in control of your diagnostic check near you:

Plenty of Choice. We may recommend certain garages depending on your location or the product you select, but you always have the final say. There are thousands of fast-fit, independent and franchised garages on our online comparison site, so you’re able to see all your options and choose the best local garage for you.

Transparent Prices. Garages on our comparison site always set and update their own prices, so there are no nasty surprises at the end of your appointment. This price won’t change unless you agree to extra repairs directly with the garage.

24/7 Online Booking. When you need a diagnostic check near you, you want to book it as soon as possible. You don’t want to wait around for the garage to open so you can call up and get it sorted - and with BookMyGarage, you don’t have to. We allow you to make your appointment day or night, even when the garage is closed.

Compare deals and save up to 70% on your car maintenance when you choose one of the lower-cost options through BookMyGarage. Enter your vehicle reg and postcode to compare instant prices on your car diagnostic check and book the best deal today.

Why is a Car Diagnostic Check Important?

A diagnostic check can detect a potential problem with your car, even before a breakdown. It is also a quick, easy and accurate way to understand any issue with your car. This can include a dashboard warning light or strange noise.

Identifying the problem early will give you the chance to get it fixed before it can become a more expensive repair.

When Do You Need to Book a Car Diagnostics Appointment?

There are many different signs which will indicate that your vehicle needs a diagnostic check. If you suspect that there is an issue with your car but don’t know what, you should book a diagnostic check to find out what the problem is.

Some of the problems a diagnostic check can solve include:

• Engine warning light - if the engine warning light appears on your dashboard, it’s important to take your vehicle to a garage as soon as possible as there is a wide variety of problems which the light may be flagging up.
• Strange noises – any strange noises coming from your car need to be checked out before they turn into more serious problem. Some of these sounds may include; whining from the bonnet, abnormally loud exhaust, uneven engine noise, brake squealing or gear crunching.
• Smoke - if you see smoke or steam coming from under the bonnet, your vehicle may be overheating.
• Vibrating - if you notice any vibrating or pulling under your brake, the issue may be due to work brake discs or pads. However, it could also indicate a problem with your suspension or steering.

Check Engine Light

A check engine, or engine management light, can be stressful and hard to understand. It can indicate a fault with your engine, transmission, brakes or exhaust, as well as several other car parts. 

This means the faults range from trivial to incredibly severe. The more severe the problem, the stronger the check engine light appears. Solid amber is the least severe, flashing amber a more serious problem and red a dangerous fault. While you should never ignore the engine management light, you must stop the car immediately if the red light shows.

Can You Drive With a Warning Light On?

We wouldn't recommend ignoring a warning light, especially if it is red. You should always get a professional opinion to ensure you don't cause severe and expensive damage to your car. The check engine light is no different.

What Should I Do When the Check Engine Light Comes On?

If your check engine light is illuminated, we recommend booking a diagnostic check at a garage near you. That way, a professional technician can identify what error code has caused it to come on and then fix the problem. This way, you keep your car in good condition, stay safe on the road and often avoid an expensive repair bill. 

FAQs

What Is a Car Diagnostic Test?

A diagnostic test is a full health check of your car's engine and electrical systems. It can detect problems with your vehicle which may be difficult to spot manually. A technician will plug your vehicle into a specialised code reader and scan the ECU (Engine Control Unit) for fault codes. They will then interpret these fault codes and find the exact cause of your issue.

When you book an appointment, you get:

• A full report of your vehicle’s health
• State-of-the-art diagnostic tools
• Knowledge and advice from an expert mechanic
• Print-out results to show any issues or areas of concern

What Are Car Diagnostic Codes?

Car diagnostic codes are the fault codes which explain what problem your car has. There are hundreds of different fault codes and they can range from very minor to incredibly severe issues. What's more, they are very complex and hard to understand without proper training.

This means it's vital that you get a professional to interpret the codes for you otherwise you risk making the problem worse.

What Do Car Diagnostics Tell You?

A diagnostic test will tell you if your car has any issues in the following areas:

• Engine Management
• Transmission
• Ignition Coils
• Throttle
• Exhaust
• Brakes
• Oil Tank
• And other major components

How Long Do Car Diagnostics Take?

Car diagnostics take around 90 minutes to complete. Depending on the cause of your problem, the repair time may take longer. A technician will contact you once they have an accurate idea of the problem to provide a repair quote.

How Much Is a Car Diagnostic Test?

The price of a car diagnostic test can vary, depending on the garage that you visit. Each garage offers its car diagnostics for a fixed price, ranging from £30 - £100.

Enter your vehicle registration number and post code into BookMyGarage to instantly compare prices on diagnostic checks from garages near you. This will help you book the best deal on your appointment.

Do Garages Offer Car Diagnostics For Free?

Some garages may offer a free diagnostic check, but this often comes with a couple of caveats. In most cases, you will still have to pay for the repair work - and the price of the diagnostics test may even be factored into this quote.

If your car doesn't need any repair work, you may then also be charged for the garage's time during the initial diagnostic. As such, you are unlikely to ever find a completely free diagnostic process.

Is a Car Diagnostic Check Covered By My Warranty?

Your warranty doesn't cover the cost of a car diagnostic check. However, it is likely to cover the cost of your repair work.

To avoid paying more than you should when you need car diagnostics, we recommend checking the terms of your warranty agreement to see what is and isn't covered.

Do I Need to Book a Diagnostic Test If I Lease My Car?

Not always, but you should always be prepared to book car diagnostics if you notice an unidentified problem.

Under most lease agreements, you're required to maintain your car and return it in good condition. As such, you don't need to book a diagnostic test unless a professional technician advises that it is the best way to solve a problem that you're experiencing.

Should I Book Car Diagnostics If I Have a Dashboard Warning Light?

We would always recommend booking your car in for an inspection if you see a dashboard warning light. You should never ignore a warning light as it indicates that something is wrong with your car. Even if you think the issue is minor at the minute, it can easily develop into something more serious.

The most important time to book a diagnostic check is if you see the check engine light. This covers a wide range of fault codes and it is hard to tell what the problem is without specialist equipment and professional knowledge.

How to Use a Car Diagnostic Tool

1. Find your car's diagnostic port. This is usually near the steering wheel, under the dashboard, or on the passenger's side. Consult your vehicle handbook if you need help.
2. Plug the end connector of the tool into this port.
3. Switch on the ignition. Most cars store fault codes in the memory so you don't need to turn the engine on all the way. If the fault code doesn't come back up, start up the engine.
4. Turn on the diagnostic tool.
5. Start the scan. Some tools will do this automatically while others need you to press a button to start reading the fault codes. You might also need to download an app or enter your VIN into the tool if scanning it for the first time.
6. Record the data. Once the scan is done, it will show you the fault codes it has found. Make sure you write these down or use the option to download them on the tool.
7. Interpret the codes. Either search online for the information or use specialist software to translate it.
8. Fix the problem. If you're a confident amateur mechanic, you can try and do this yourself, else, book an appointment with a local garage to get a professional to do it for you.