Is it illegal to leave your engine running while parked? The UK answer
Is it illegal to leave your car engine running while parked in the UK? The Highway Code rule on idling, warming up, demisting and unattended cars.
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Tag: UK Car Maintenance
Car battery warranty: when a replacement should be free, and when it will not be
A flat or failed 12V battery is frustrating, but a warranty claim is not automatic. Here is how UK consumer rights, retailer guarantees and the cause of failure fit together.
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Smell petrol in your car? Do not just wind down the window
A petrol smell inside or around a car can be as simple as a spill, but it can also signal a fuel leak. Here is how UK drivers should decide whether to stop, inspect or call for help.
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Those warning lights at start-up are not all bad news. Here is the dashboard check that matters
Why dashboard warning lights often appear at start-up, which ones should go out, and when a UK driver should stop and investigate.
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Still on winter tyres when summer arrives? The sensible UK call
Winter tyres are not automatically illegal once the weather warms up, but keeping them on through a British summer is not always the best value or the safest choice. Here is what to check before deciding whether to swap them.
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Your windscreen keeps misting up? Clear it properly, then find the cause
A misted windscreen is more than an irritating winter delay. Use the car’s ventilation controls in the right order, do not set off until every key window is clear, and know when persistent condensation points to damp inside the car.
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Is your car actually ready for a towbar? Five checks before you book the fitting
A towbar is not just another accessory. Check the car’s towing approval, weight limits, electrics, insurer and intended trailer before paying for a fitting.
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Car key fob battery flat? Change it yourself without damaging the remote
A practical UK guide to spotting a flat car key fob battery, opening the remote safely, fitting the right coin cell and knowing when the fault is not the battery.
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A frost peephole is not enough: clear your windscreen properly before you drive
A small clear patch in a frosted windscreen is not enough for a safe departure. Here is the practical UK routine for clearing ice, mist and snow without damaging the glass or leaving blind spots.
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Does an electric car need an MOT? The checks still matter even without an exhaust
Electric cars need an MOT on the same timetable as other cars, but the test is not a battery-health report. Here is what an EV MOT covers, what it does not and how to prepare.
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Your diesel needs a DPF run, not a motorway blast: the sensible UK routine
A DPF does not need a ritual motorway thrash. Here is how regeneration works, when a drive may help and when a warning light needs a garage instead.
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MOT failure: when you can legally drive away, and when you cannot
A UK guide to driving after an MOT failure, including the difference between major and dangerous defects, an expired certificate and the repair appointment exception.
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