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Diagnostic Check in Scotland

Instantly compare diagnostic deals from garages near you & book online

4.7* on Trustpilot

*Based on Trustpilot: out average rating
4.7 out of 5 from 4657 reviews.

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Instantly compare diagnostic deals from garages near you & book online

4.7* on Trustpilot

*Based on Trustpilot: out average rating
4.7 out of 5 from 4657 reviews.

Compare. Save. Job Done.

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Just enter your reg & post code for instant results. Filter by price, reviews, distance or availability - whatever matters most to you.

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Book any time, from anywhere in just a few seconds. No more waiting on the phone!

Don't Pay Until the Day

No pre-payment needed. You always pay the garage directly after they have completed all the work.

Honest Reviews

Choose a top-rated garage based on reviews from other local drivers. These reviews can only be submitted after the appointment has been sat, so you can be sure they're all 100% genuine.

happy man using his phone

10,136,756 happy drivers can’t be wrong.

“I’m always on the go, so booking my MOT on my phone was really useful.
I compared garages, picked the best one for me and even saved money, all whilst waiting for my morning coffee!”

4.7/5 based on over 4657 Trustpilot reviews*
* Based on Trustpilot: our average rating 4.7/5 from 4,657 reviews.

What motorists are saying about our garages in Scotland

Fantastic Service

Kilgannon Motors Ltd

“I booked my car in for a catalyst clean and the job was done very professionally. 5* service.”

Would recommend

Great service

Car N Tyre

“Quick service and helpful staff.”

Would recommend

Great Service!

HQ Garage Services

“Very happy taking both my cars for service/mot and general repairs. Always served with a smile at reception and excellent workmanship.”

Would recommend

What does a car diagnostic check do?

A diagnostic check is carried out on your vehicle by a mechanic, who will plug your vehicle into a specialised code reader. It can detect problems with your vehicle which may be difficult to spot manually.

The main components which are tested in a diagnostic check are the car’s:

  • electronic control units (ECUs) - these control various element of the car and its performance including engine running
  • emissions and exhaust sensors
  • braking system
  • electrical components such as central door locking
  • transmission if electronically controlled
  • ignition coils
  • throttle setting
  • fuel injectors
  • air flow and coolant

 

Why is a car diagnostic check important?

A diagnostic check is very important as it can detect a potential problem with your car, even before a breakdown. The computerised equipment scans your vehicle’s system to check for any faults, no matter how minor or major. A diagnostic test is a quick, easy and accurate way to discover any faults and will give you the chance to get them fixed before they turn into bigger and more expensive issues. When your car has a fault, this may show as a warning light on the dashboard. If the light goes out the system will store the fault code so the garage will find this when they do the diagnostic check.

What are the possible signs that your car needs a diagnostic check?

There are many different signs which will indicate that your vehicle needs a diagnostic check. Essentially, if you suspect that there is an issue with your car but don’t know what, you will probably want to book a diagnostic check to find out what the problem is. Here are some of the key signs:

  • 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.

 

How long do car diagnostics take?

You can expect a diagnostic check on your car to take approximately 90 minutes. You may want to allow for more time though as the mechanic who will be carrying out the check might not be available to start right away.

How much does a car diagnostic check cost?

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

Enter your vehicle registration number and post code into BookMyGarage (at the top of this page) and you can instantly compare diagnostic check pricing from all of the garages in your local area. As well as price, you can see the garages’ reviews, distance from your post code, extra services offered and availability. You don’t even have to register to get access to all of this information. When you have selected a suitable garage, you can choose a date, any optional extras (such as collection and delivery, loan car etc.) and book online.

Driving in Scotland

Motorists in Scotland come up against a range of challenges. The tourism and festival hub of Edinburgh experiences the extremes of urban congestion; but drive out into the Highlands and you may find yourself squaring up against one of the herds of long-horned Highland cattle that roam freely in some areas. BookMyGarage can compare garages the length and breadth of Scotland, whether you’re negotiating Glasgow City Centre or gazing at the expanse of Loch Ness.

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