If you’ve been looking at used car listings recently you’ve probably come across the phrase ‘full service history’. This indicates that the current owner has complete records of the maintenance carried out on a vehicle over the course of its life.
It’s important to look for a full service history when buying a car as you want to know for certain that a vehicle has been properly looked after, and that the seller isn’t trying to hide any mechanical issues that could come back to haunt you at a later date.
A survey of over 2,000 car owners found that almost half said that an incomplete service history would be a deal breaker and they wouldn’t even consider buying a used car without a full service history, and those who would still buy without a service history expect a hefty discount to take on the extra risk of a vehicle with an unknown past.
If you’re putting off your service to save a bit of cash now, you could pay for it dearly in the long run when it comes to selling your car. Keeping a full service history isn’t just about getting the best value for money when you sell your car though.
Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for a car’s service history being incomplete. The paperwork could simply be lost, or service stamps may be spread across the car’s service book and garage invoices. But if you’re worried about gaps in a car’s history, there are ways of tracking down the missing information. You just have to know where to look.

Why are cars serviced?
Vehicles that are serviced to the manufacturer’s recommendations will generally be better performing, more efficient, and cheaper to run. Services go through all the nooks, crannies, and quirks of your car to make sure everything’s running as it should. It’s also a great time to flag up potential problems that can be fixed cheaply before they become more of an issue.
Things such as tyres can be perfectly fine when checked for an MOT test, but may have significantly worn by half way through the year and a service is able to pick up on this for you.

Where to find it
Ideally, a car will have been issued with a service book in which the garage performing each service will log the vehicle mileage, detail the completed work and authenticate the information with a stamp.
Some drivers also ask for a receipt or invoice that itemises each job carried out and the costs incurred. Over time, this forms a detailed history of the maintenance conducted on a car, allowing you to track which parts have been repaired or replaced, and when.
These days, manufacturers also keep an online record of any car that’s serviced by a franchised dealer. These can be retrieved by any dealership in just a few clicks.

How to track down missing service history info
If some of a car’s service history is missing, you may be able to recover it. If you know that it has been maintained by a franchised dealer, your local showroom may be able to produce all of the documentation relating to the car’s maintenance. This is more likely to work for newer vehicles, as older motors are less likely to have records stored online.
You will need to prove that you are the vehicle owner, ideally by showing a payment receipt signed by the previous owner. Producing the car’s log book (V5C) won’t be enough, as this only identifies the registered keeper. You’ll also need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
If your car has been serviced by an independent garage, you can ask them to produce copies of any documentation they hold regarding your vehicle, although they won’t necessarily have these on file.
If you don’t even know which garages have serviced your vehicle, you have two options. The first is to perform an MOT check on the government’s website, for which you only need your car’s registration number. You can then view the test location for each of the car’s MOTs by entering your 11-digit V5C number: this could give you some clues as to where a vehicle was serviced.

Why is it so important?
There are three key reasons why service history is so important when buying a used car. Firstly, it shows that the car has been well cared for – regular servicing is essential to the health of a vehicle, and helps to stop problems before they happen. Buying a car with underlying problems can be extremely costly if you have no idea they exist.
Secondly, it points towards a reputable seller, who recognises the importance of keeping strict records of their vehicle. They want the buyer to be confident in their purchase, and it shows that they have nothing to hide, from previous repair work to the car’s mileage.
Thirdly, service history, particularly a FSH, increases the value of the car by up to 100 percent – which will benefit you should you decide to sell it on.

When you’ve got a flat tyre or slow puncture, you should replace it as soon as possible. Not only is this for your safety, but also for the safety of everyone else on the road. But you may have heard that tyres should be replaced in axle pairs. Is this true? Put simple, yes, it is ideal and we recommend it.

Mixing tyres with different tread patterns or tread depths is not recommended by the majority of tyre manufacturers – but there are some exceptions where common sense is the best solution such as when the other tyre on the same axle is practically new.

What is an axle pair?
An axle pair is the pair of wheels that share the same axle. Cars almost always have two axles which spin with the wheels. Sometimes, the entire axle turns with the wheels in order to turn the car – but more often, the axle shaft remains perpendicular to the car while the wheels rotate from it.

Why does this matter for tyre replacements?
Well, when one tyre has less pressure than the other in its axle pair, the pressure from the weight of the car is put onto the axle shaft and hub bearings unevenly.
This isn’t a problem for a short while, but over time this uneven force could wear different parts of the axle system down, to the point that they need replacing. This, you can imagine, is usually far more costly than replacing two tyres.
In the more short term, uneven tyres can make road grip worse on the more worn side, and even contribute to faster wearing of the new tyre. This, in turn, could make emergency braking dangerous – as your car could pull to one side sharply with sudden braking.

Having the same tread pattern matters
Your tyres are your only contact with the road. The tyre tread helps to channel surface water out and away from the tyres in wet conditions, so that your tyres can maintain contact with the surface. When the tread depth is too low, the water can’t be channelled away, which leads to what’s known as ‘aquaplaning’.
If the tread pattern on your tyres isn’t the same, then they channel water out in different ways – again leading to different pressures on the axle shaft, and reduced control in wet conditions.
When selecting tyres, be careful that they match the seasonal type of your current ones. Summer tyres, winter tyres, and all-season tyres all have tread patterns that are optimal for different seasonal conditions. Having two varying season tyres on the same axle pair can be dangerous in different conditions, as each wheel in the axle pair fights against the other.

View from the leading tyre manufacturers – Continental
Continental are synonymous with designing and manufacturing premium tyres with performance and safety at that core. Experts at Continental suggest that, while there are no legal regulations in the UK that state that tyre seasons should not be mixed, the practice is not recommended.

“Mixing tyres may result in unforeseen effects on the handling and comfort of the vehicle and therefore, if fitting All Season Tyres, then {Continental’s} recommendation is that where possible they are fitted in full sets in order to maintain optimum grip and safety. However it is also permissible to mix All Season Tyres with Summer or Winter tyres provided they are fitted in axle pairs.”

Having the same tyre manufacturer matters
Tyres in their different categories must all meet minimum safety requirements, but simply by the process of having different manufacturing methods, different brand tyres will have different lifespans.
Having differently-branded tyres means that you may get differences in tyre wear, and have to replace good ones sooner.

View from the leading tyre manufacturers – Pirelli
As one of the leading manufacturers of premium tyres who are also heavily involved in motor sport, Pirelli strongly advises that same brand and tread pattern is fitted to both axles due to different ply steer angles being used in different tyre constructions.

“The ply steer angle is the angle created between the actual direction of travel and the ideal direction of travel of the driver. A larger ply steer angle on the front axle generates understeer and the vehicle tends to travel a curve with a larger radius. A larger ply steer angle on the rear axle generates oversteer (danger of spinning the vehicle). Whenever only two tyres are substituted it is recommended to fit the new tyres on the rear axle.”

What about four-wheel drive (4×4) vehicles?
With four-wheel drive vehicles, you may need to replace all four tyres when one gets worn out or has a puncture. This is because 4×4 systems rely on all four tyres when operating.
When not replacing all four tyres on your four-wheel drive car or van, be sure to check the maximum load rating on new tyres – it must match or exceed the rating given in your manufacturer’s guidebook.

Do I have to replace all tyres if the rest are new?
If you’ve recently replaced both tyres in an axle pair and you get unlucky with a puncture, then you very likely won’t need to replace both again. However, if it’s been a considerable length of time since you changed your tyres or had them checked then it’s important to seek the advice of a tyre technician. We can do this here at Roadwheel.

One of the most important considerations when replacing tyres, perhaps more so that ensuring your tyre treads match, is to try to avoid mixing tyres on a single axle with a varying degree of tread depth.
Imagine mixing two tyres, one with 7mm of tread and one with 2mm of tread on a single axle. As the nearly new tyre will perform much better, this could lead to differences in handling at wet braking that could result in the vehicle pulling to one side when cornering and stopping.

View from the leading tyre manufacturers – Michelin
Michelin is one of the world’s largest investors in tyre research and development to ensure that their tyre products are the safest and most efficient available to drivers. On the subject of mixing tyres, Michelin concludes that:

“It is recommended that tyres of comparable wear are fitted on the same axle. Michelin recommends that the new or least worn tyres are fitted to the rear axle for vehicle stability and safety. Ensure that the tyre inflation pressures are adjusted to comply with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.”

When to replace tyres with different tread depths
If your tyres on a single axle have different tread depths and one needs to be replaced, you will need to make a judgement call as to whether you replace one or both tyres to ensure the tread depth of both sides remains fairly even. Our advice is that, if you have 4mm of tread or less on the remaining tyre, its best to replace both tyres to ensure braking and handling is optimised. If you are at all unsure, speak to the team here at Roadwheel.

Need your tyres replaced?
Give us a call or pop down to Roadwheel and we’ll be happy to help!

From thick fog to black ice, winter in the UK can present motorists with a whole range of challenges. To help you avoid danger when you’re behind the wheel, here are some safety tips that all drivers should know to drive safely in winter.

Ice and snow
The roads can be dangerous in winter when there’s snow, ice or sleet. Our top tip is to take it slow. Stopping distances can be 10 times longer when it’s icy. Gentle manoeuvres and slow speeds are the key to safe driving in ice and snow.
To reduce the risk of skidding on the roads, it’s essential that your tyres have enough grip. Although the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, experts recommend having at least 3mm – and this is especially important in winter. You might even want to consider getting winter or all-season tyres that offer better grip in cold conditions.
When temperatures drop, you might have to de-ice your car before journeys. When you do this, don’t stop at your windscreen and other windows. If there’s any snow on the roof of your vehicle, make sure you sweep this off too. If you don’t, there’s a risk it will fall onto your windscreen while you’re driving and block your view.
Even if you’re careful, there’s a chance your car will skid. If this happens, try to steer gently in the direction of the skid. For example, if the back of your vehicle is sliding to the left, steer to the left.
Where possible, plan your route to stick to major roads that are more likely to have been gritted and cleared of ice. Whichever route you take, watch out for black ice. As a general rule, if the temperature is very low and the road surface has a sheen and appears to be wet, drive with extreme caution. There is a chance this could be ice rather than water.

Fog
Falling temperatures increase the chances of fog, so it pays to be clued up on what to do if visibility drops when you’re travelling. You’re required by law to use your headlights when visibility is significantly reduced (this is generally considered to mean when you can’t see for more than 100 metres). If visibility is especially poor, you can use your fog lights. As soon as conditions improve though, you must switch them off. If you leave these lights on, you risk dazzling other drivers and obscuring your brake lights.
Adjust your speed so that you can stop in the distance you can see clearly in front of you, and make sure you leave a bigger gap than usual before the car in front (at least three seconds). Bear in mind that some drivers may not be using their lights, so you’ll have to be especially vigilant. Check your mirrors carefully before you slow down too. Motorists behind you may find it harder to react, meaning that if you slow or stop suddenly, you’re more likely to be shunted.

High winds
Strong winds can wreak havoc on the roads. From toppling high-sided vehicles, to causing cars and bikes to swerve, to bringing trees down, they pose a number of risks. If it’s windy while you’re driving, make sure you keep both hands on the wheel at all times, and prepare yourself for gusts if you’re approaching exposed stretches of the motorway. Be ready for sudden gusts when passing high-sided vehicles and tall buildings too, and try to keep your distance from other road users in case they get blown into your path.
Keep a constant lookout for objects on the road as well, including branches and trees. You should also lower your speed so that it’s easier to stop if you do come across on obstacle in your path. This is especially important at night or if you’re travelling around blind bends.

Heavy rain and flooding
In heavy rain, you should always make sure your headlights are on – and if it’s especially heavy and visibility is very low, you may want to use your fog lights. Be sure to switch these off as soon as the rain eases though.
Because it takes longer to stop on a wet surface, safety experts suggest leaving at least twice as much space between your car and the vehicle ahead. Also, drive more slowly than usual to reduce the risk of aquaplaning. If you do feel you’ve lost steering control because your tyres aren’t in proper contact with the road, hold the steering wheel tightly and slow down smoothly and gently until your tyres grip the surface again.
Where possible, avoid floods and areas of standing water, and don’t be tempted to drive into water that’s moving or that’s over 10cm deep. If you’re travelling through water, move slowly so that you don’t create a bow wave, and test your brakes as soon as it’s safe to do so afterwards.

Even if you take all these tips on board and drive as carefully as possible in winter, there’s always a chance that you’ll get stuck, break down or be involved in an accident. In case this happens, it’s a good idea to pack emergency supplies including a blanket, shovel, torch, water and snacks. You should also make sure you have a charged phone on you at all times. If you have concerns about your car and the prospect of driving in these conditions is daunting, book a free tyre and safety check here at Roadwheel and we will check your vehicle over for you.

How many of us have seen the red fuel light flash on and carried on to our destination without stopping to fill-up at least once? We have all done it, but some people push it a little too far and can end up being responsible for a spate of traffic jams.
In 2015, a survey by LV Road Rescue reported that over half a million motorists admitted to driving with their fuel warning light on, running the risk of a roadside breakdown by driving with very low fuel. As a result, the report also claimed that more than 800,000 motorists had to be rescued from the roadside due to running out of fuel.
Drivers overestimated how much fuel they had left in the tank, with almost one in four drivers believing that, once their fuel light came on, they could squeeze another 40 miles out of the tank before hitting empty.

The actual number of miles that the UK’s most popular cars can achieve once the fuel light comes on is dependent on a few factors, from your driving style to the condition of your vehicle.
A common belief is that on average a car can go for roughly another 40 to 50 miles after the warning light goes on, but it isn’t that straightforward. The range on the fuel gauge is usually based on the average miles already driven – so what the gauge shows may not be accurate for your current driving conditions.

How long can you keep going?
Below are some of Compare the Market’s findings when it comes to the average distances that can be driven after a warning from the fuel light.

Car / Miles left
Ford Fiesta / 37 miles
Vauxhall Corsa / 36 miles
Ford Focus / 41 miles
Volkswagen Golf / 44 miles
Nissan Qashqai / 43 miles
Volkswagen Polo / 42 miles
Vauxhall Astra / 30 miles
Audi A3 / 43 miles
Mini Cooper / 44 miles
BMW 3 Series / 44 miles

The data above was calculated using fuel tank capacity and MPG data sourced for each car. The MPG data was pulled from well world usage rather than manufacturer figures to achieve a realistic representation. As 10% capacity is, on average, the level that the low fuel light turns on for most modern models, this was also taken into consideration. These values were used in the following formula to calculate the average miles stated above: MPG x (tank capacity – 10% fuel capacity)

It turns out that cars can still travel quite a distance even after they’ve reached low fuel levels. However, while your car can potentially continue to run 50+ miles before running out of fuel, it’s important to note that driving with the fuel warning light on should be massively avoided. By driving with low fuel levels, you could end up facing the inconvenience of being stranded by the side of the road, as well as causing damage to your vehicle in the process.

What are the consequences of running on empty?
When it comes to running on low fuel, usually our only focus is on how far the nearest petrol station is and whether our car will be able to get there before the fuel runs out. But it’s important to know that allowing your fuel tank to run on empty can damage your engine, as well as cause several problems to your fuel system.

Your car’s fuel pump is designed to sit submerged in fuel, using petrol as a coolant, and when there is not enough gas in the tank, the fuel pump can become exposed and overheat internally. By continuously running on low fuel, you’ll end up wearing out your fuel pump, as the lack of fuel allows air to be sucked in – which overheats inside the pump. It’s worth noting that any issues with the fuel pump’s functionality affects the flow of fuel to the engine, and a broken fuel pump means that you won’t be able to start your engine.

Your fuel pump isn’t the only damage that can be done to your car by low fuel levels – your fuel tank can also be at risk. Many drivers aren’t aware that rust and sediments like dust, dirt and even rocks can enter your fuel tank for a variety of reasons. So, when you allow your car fuel tank to run low, the sediment in your tank can get sucked into the system and clog the fuel filter, the fuel-pump or even the fuel injector. This negatively impacts your car’s mileage and fuel economy, depreciating the condition of your car.

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should
While many vehicles can travel a far distance despite being on low fuel, this shouldn’t be a reason to not fill up your car. When it comes to fuel, ensuring that your car’s fuel tank is kept topped up will help you avoid any premature repairs that can be caused by low fuel levels.

It’s recommended to keep your fuel tank at least ¼ full and to fill up before heading out on a long trip, as this will greatly reduce the likelihood that you will dip into low fuel levels. After all, you never know when you might get stuck in traffic – and running out of fuel can add long delays to your journey!

Winter can really take its toll on vehicles. From faulty electrics to cracked windscreen wipers, you might experience a whole range of problems behind the wheel when colder weather sets in.
So if you want to save yourself the hassle of a vehicle breakdown this chilly season, here are five ways to reduce the risk of a car-related mishap.

1. Pay attention to your battery
The last thing you want is for your tyre to go flat. If you tend to use your car for short journeys, consider charging the battery at least once a week during cold spells. This is particularly important if your battery is over 3 years old.
Also make sure to switch all electrical loads off at the end of a journey before turning the engine off. This helps to ensure you don’t drain the battery unnecessarily the next time you turn the engine on. Avoiding using things like heated seats and screen for longer than you need to also helps to avoid draining the battery.
Always make sure to look out for signs of corrosion on your battery cables and clamps too as this can limit the flow of the current. If you’re able to park your car in a garage overnight as well, this will help protect the battery from the very lowest temperatures.
With all that said, old batteries can still struggle, so if you’ve noticed that your just isn’t holding charge, it’s probably time to get a new one.

2. Check your tyres
By law, your tyres are required to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, but for safety, we strongly recommend that you replace your tyres before the legal limit is reached. Many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing tyres at 3mm.
This is particularly important when travelling in difficult weather conditions such as snow, ice or heavy rain.
Having plenty of tread on your tyres helps with traction and grip, making it easier for you to keep control of your car. As well as paying attention to the tread, look out for general signs of damage including cracks, splits and bulges. If you notice any problems, get your tyres checked out by an expert and, if necessary, replaced.
It’s also important to keep your tyres inflated to the right pressure. This will improve handling and minimise the risk of a blowout, which can be particularly dangerous when road conditions are poor.

3. Give your wiper blades a once over
Wiper blades don’t last forever, and you don’t want to discover that yours need replacing when you’re driving in snow or rain. The grit that’s used to keep roads free from ice during the winter can quickly cover your windscreen in a dirty film, making it impossible to see clearly unless you have properly functioning wipers. So, now’s the time to give your blades a once over, checking them for cracks and splits. If you see any sign of damage, change them as soon as possible.

4. Keep an eye on coolant, oil, screen wash and fuel levels
Although your car’s coolant system is sealed and therefore shouldn’t need to be topped up, it’s a good idea to check just in case – especially before a long journey. Make sure you check the level when the engine is cold, and if you do need to top it up, refer to your handbook to make sure you’re using the right coolant.

Keep tabs on your screen wash level too, and always use a good quality wash additive or pre-mix that won’t freeze down to temperatures at least as low as -15°C.

Running too low on oil can be very bad news for your car engine, potentially leading to catastrophic damage. It’s never a good time for this to happen, but it’s especially worrying if this causes you to breakdown in winter. You could find yourself waiting for a recovery vehicle for a long time in unpleasant, cold conditions. So, make sure you check your oil levels and top them up if they’re low.

It might sound obvious, but always ensure you have enough fuel before setting off on a journey. When temperatures dip, you really don’t want to get stranded.

If your car’s due to have a service soon, get it booked in now. This will help you to keep your vehicle in the best possible condition and avoid any nasty surprises over winter.

5. Always be prepared
Taking these steps will help you to avoid a winter breakdown, but there’s always a chance that you’ll find yourself in difficulty during the colder months. In case this happens, it’s important to be prepared by keeping some emergency supplies in your car. Some of things we reccomend are:
– Car blankets and warm clothes
– Torch and spare batteries
– Car phone charger
– Two emergency car triangles
– Hi-vis jacket
– Food and drink
– Ice scraper and de-icer spray
– Jump leads
– Sturdy footwear
– Map and first aid kit