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Diagnostic Check in Tonbridge

Instantly compare diagnostic deals from garages near you & book online

4.6* on Trustpilot

*Based on Trustpilot: our average rating
4.6 out of 5 from 5485 reviews.

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Diagnostic Check

Instantly compare diagnostic deals from garages near you & book online

4.6* on Trustpilot

*Based on Trustpilot: out average rating
4.6 out of 5 from 5485 reviews.

happy man using his phone

14,117,327 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!”

4.6/5 based on over 5485 Trustpilot reviews*
* Based on Trustpilot: our average rating 4.6/5 from 5,485 reviews.
HADLOW STAIR GARAGE Logo
HADLOW STAIR GARAGE
130 VALE ROAD, TONBRIDGE, TN9 1SP
334 Reviews
Friendly family run businessEstablished since 1988

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Customer Drop-off

Diagnostic Check FROM £34.95

Hadlow Stair Garage is based in the centre of Tonbridge, ideal for dropping your car off and shopping in Tonbridge or dropping of prior to catching a train to work. Hadlow Stair Garage offer all types of MOT, Servicing and Repair work and they are a friendly family run business with fair pricing. ...

Horsepower Motor Centre Logo
Horsepower Motor Centre
Unit 1 Sovereign Way, Tonbridge, TN9 1RH
302 Reviews
Equipped for all makes and models

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Diagnostic Check FROM £84.99

Kent's Leading Used Car Retailer & Vehicle Repair Centre. Experts in automotive repairs and maintenance from tyres, brakes, exhausts, MOT testing, car servicing to air conditioning. Hundreds of tyres in-stock on-site from leading manufacturers including Pirelli, Goodyear, Michelin, Continental an...

Mill Garage-Kent Logo
Mill Garage-Kent
Watts Cross, London Road, Kent, TN11 9NB
26 Reviews

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Customer Drop-off

Diagnostic Check FROM £44.95

Whether you need an MOT and Service or have been unfortunate enough to have had an accident in your pride and joy, Mill Garage can make sure your vehicle is fully taken care of by one of our extensively trained and careful technicians.

Approved cars Isuzu and repairs services Logo
Approved cars Isuzu and repairs services
Units 1, 2 & 3, 49 Branbridges Road, East Peckham, TN12 5HD
32 Reviews

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Customer Drop-off

Diagnostic Check FROM £78

We provide one of best services for MOT tests at our Garage in East Peckham. By using highly experienced staff and equipment you can be assured your car is in good hands to be inspected.

Formula One Autocentre Tonbridge Logo
Formula One Autocentre Tonbridge
Unit 4 Trade Park, Ingot Way, Tonbridge, TN9 1GN
2 Reviews

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Customer Drop-off

Diagnostic Check FROM £60

Formula One Autocentres set out with a mission to deliver a completely new fast-fit experience to its customers. This would feature clean, modern premises, high-tech equipment and highly trained technicians; far removed from the kind of service normally associated with the industry. Forty years down...

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.

How to be a better driver

Whether you’re driving in Tonbridge or further afield, think about road user etiquette. Showing respect for other road users makes driving more pleasant for you and safer for everyone. For example, if you have to make a last minute change of lane, make your request to change clear to the driver who will need to let you in - and signal your thanks if they do. Be ready to abandon the change of lane if they won’t play ball - your safety (and that of other drivers and pedestrians) is more important than getting to your destination in the shortest time possible. When the position is reversed and a driver asks your permission to change lanes, allow them to as long as it is safe. If you get frustrated, avoid using your horn - it won’t improve matters and might make them considerably worse.

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Diagnostic Check