According to UK law, its a legal requirement that in order to be able to drive, your vehicle must have a valid MOT certificate – and your vehicle should not be driven without one. But what happens if you drive without an MOT? Find out the risks and the financial implications from our informative guide. Driving a car without an MOT Is your car more than three years old? If so, you will require an...
We have all been in the stressful driving scenario when the driver behind gets a bit too close, otherwise known as tailgating. Not only is this very stressful and dangerous for the driver in front, but tailgating is illegal in the UK. It’s important to understand how to calculate stopping distance and what might change it from day to day to avoid not only tailgating, but preventing a serious accid...
Each year, our vehicles undergo the annual MOT test. Equipped with our paper certificate, we drive our vehicles out of the testing centre for another year. But what should we do with the paper MOT certificate? Do we need to keep it? And can you drive without one? Find out more from our guide on MOT certificates. What is an MOT certificate? An MOT certificate is a document which is presented to y...
Oil light appeared on your dashboard? Or perhaps you're looking to give your car a bit of maintenance TLC before a long journey? Often, it can be difficult to know which engine oil to use for your vehicle - that's why we've put together this handy guide detailing the different types of engine oil, and identifying what oil your car may need. What engine oil do I need? Ultimately, the type of oil...
All branches are open as normal Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm and Saturday 8:30am – 5pm (except Wantage, Southfields, Bookham and Hook). Visit our locations page to find your nearest branch. As things continue to develop, we will continue to issue updates both on our website and our social media channels. In the meantime if you have any queries please email us at contact@merityre.co.uk Thank you...
If your car fails its MOT test, you will be presented with a VT30 ‘Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate’ – which informs you that your vehicle has not passed the test. This certificate also lists the reasons why your vehicle failed. So, what do you do now? Are you allowed to drive your vehicle, and can you appeal the MOT decision if you believe it’s unwarranted? Our guide has you covered. What to d...
Car suspension is a component of every vehicle which is crucial to helping keep the vehicle stable. Your car suspension will prevent the car from absorbing the lateral forces (the bumps and dips in the road) providing a smooth and stable ride for both the driver and passengers. Car suspension also ensures the wheels stay connected with the road surface, and enhances braking and grip. Without your...
Are your car brakes squeaking? When listening to the noises from your brakes, it will never be completely silent - you’ll always hear some level of noise coming from your brakes. However, there are some noises which you should be aware of – such as squeaking – which could indicate there may be a problem with your brake pads. So, why do brakes squeak? Why do my brakes squeak? Worn brake pads -...
What are anti-lock brakes? An anti-lock braking system – also known as ABS – is a safety feature which is standard in all modern cars. It is designed to prevent the wheels from locking, which helps to maintain control and grip of the vehicle on the road. The ABS system takes over from when you apply pressure on the brake to avoid a collision – ensuring that the control of the vehicle is maintaine...
What is the diesel emissions test? As part of the UK's annual MOT test for your vehicle, there is a strict exhaust emissions test. In order to adhere to the large worldwide focus of reducing pollution levels, which are produced by diesel engines, it's imperative that your vehicle passes this test. To ensure vehicles aren't actively creating excessive emissions, certain limits have been introduce...