Top summer driving tips

This year an estimated seven million Brits will use their cars to transport themselves on their annual summer holiday, and two million of those people will be taking them abroad.

"A lot of people don't realise that extended periods of intense heat and high levels of the sun's harmful UV light can do more damage to a car than freezing weather conditions, Joe Woodhouse from Scuffs 'N' Scratches warns ”The best thing to do before a summer holiday is to check your car is in good working order and ready for the long drive.”

There can be a lot to remember, so we’ve put together some top tips to help you stay safe on holiday this summer;

1.    Get your car ready– Make sure your car is ready for long journeys; get European breakdown cover, ensure your insurance covers you sufficiently, check your water, oil, tyres, engine, windscreen wipers and paintwork before you go. It’s normally best to get a service so you can be sure your car is in working order.

2.    Get yourself ready– You need to ensure you’re prepared for a long drive. The usual sensible driving rules apply; don’t drive when tired and make sure you have properly mapped out your journey before you leave. It’s also beneficial to keep a travel box with you, including blankets, water, snacks, sunglasses and a first aid kit.

3.    If you are driving abroad, familiarise yourself with local driving regulations– For example, did you know that in Spain, if you wear glasses for driving, you must carry a spare pair in your car at all times? And in France, police impose on the spot fines for speeding, sometimes only payable by the exact cash amount? It’s well worth reading up on the country you’re visiting.

4.    Keep the kids entertained– One of the biggest causes of accidents during the summer, is people being distracted whilst driving. If the children are bored and whingey, they are more likely to distract you from the road. Make sure you include some books (including audio books), music and films to keep them busy during the trip.

5.    Do the same when you get back– Too many people do all of the necessary checks before they go away – but not when they return home. Ensure you recheck everything from tyres to paintwork as long trips can mean a lot of wear and tear on your car.

Call in the experts from Scuffs 'N' Scratches Car Body Repairs Liverpool  to make sure your car is ready for the summer sun and tick one more thing off your checklist.  We can make sure your car is in tip top condition from alloy wheel repairs, dent repairs, paint repairs, car paintwork repairs.

Call Joe 0151 909 3456 to check your car body needs today!

Save money with Alloy Wheel Refurbishment

Alloy wheels can quickly become corroded, curbed, scratched, bent and buckled through typical driving conditions and scenarios, which can often turn out to be expensive to remedy if you are not savvy enough to understand the financial benefits of using independent Alloy Wheel Refurbishment services.

When it comes to the issue of wheels on a car, the very question of damaged wheels invokes highly emotive feelings of protection from car owners which can typically be explained by their prominence and outwardly public appearance which some may argue reflects the financial and aesthetic worth of a vehicle. The general public is aware is aware that the current financial climate can often place restrictions on the type of services we are able to source and whilst replacing damaged alloy wheels can be an easy solution in terms of practicality, which most car dealerships will often gladly offer to customers, it can often, if not always be the most expensive option to undertake especially if you are replacing high quality performance aluminium wheels manufactured by companies such as AC Schnitzer, Brabus, Wolfrace, Dezent, ROTA, BBS or many of the other ambassadors of alloy wheel manufacturing.

Car owners can make time, cost and convenience savings by using independent alloy wheel refurbishment companies, where they can professionally refurbish alloy wheels at your home, office or at a workshop with a fast turnaround time.

With prices typically starting at around £45 per wheel it makes it a really good proposition balanced against the potential cost of hundreds of pounds to replace damaged wheels. all at a fraction of the price.

You can gain more information on alloy wheel refurbishment by visiting http://www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk or call Joe Woodhouse on 07802 348096 or 0151 493 2600

SCUFFS 'N' SCRATCHES LTD 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

How To Avoid Buying A Lemon

Many people watch out for local car deals that they find in the newspaper classified ads section, then go out and spend a small fortune without carrying out even the most basic of checks. It is very important to have some technical knowledge about cars before buying a used (or new!) car. This article will give you some of the most important things to look for before you decide to spend your hard earned cash on a piece of junk.
Key considerations

1.  Take a good look at the vehicle exterior and look for any tell-tale signs of damaged paint or deeply embedded scratches. If the paint is new, ask when the car was painted last. Pay close attention and beware of 'fixer uppers'.  This practice often distracts used car buyers from larger problems such as underlying rust that will rear it's ugly head in the near future. These type of car body repairs can end up quite expensive.

2.     Check the back of the vehicle and bumper. Look at the wheel wells for signs of     rust,   dents or body filler, then search the rest of the vehicle for rust. Most importantly always remember to scan the underside of the vehicle for any hidden problems. Also look for dimples, dents, or scuffs in the paint job.

3.  Inspect both sides of the car including beneath the vehicle for any signs of more major body repair. Look for inconsistencies.  For example check to see that edges of the hood and door panels line up correctly with the bumpers and other side panels. Check the frames are precisely aligned. Such inconsistencies may be clues to previous wrecks that can cost you big in repairs bills down the road.

4.  Inspect all the tyres of the vehicle. Look for signs of irregular wear and tear like feathering, cupping, one edge wearing, center or both edges worn down. Also make sure that the wheels are not pointed inward which may indicate an alignment problem. Check to see if the vehicle is at the manufacturers recommended tyre pressure levels to ensure safety driving. Does it have alloy wheels?  If so, are they damaged in anyway? This could be a costly alloy wheel repair or alloy wheel refurbishment.

5.  Open the door, check the interior for tears in upholstery, sun damage and general appearance. Does the car need interior upholstery repairs? Make sure that all important things that you will need while driving work properly, e.g. headlights, sidelights, signals, rear brake lights, reverse lights, hazard warning lights, etc. Also check the basic car amenities like the radio, air conditioner, heater, windscreen wipers, odometer, fuel guage, and the interior lights.

6.  Possibly the most important thing you should check, but one which many people ignore completely.  Check under the bonnet. Look at the engine's overall cleanliness. Look for signs of wear and tear on components.  Make sure that the battery cables and connectors are not worn down and the battery itself is in good running condition. Inspect the engine for any signs of leaking oil around the valve cover and head gasket. Check all attached holes for signs of busting and wear and tear. Inspect underneath the vehicle to see is there any rusted out holes in the exhaust pipe manifold and muffler.

7.  Check the oil (make sure the engine is cool). The oil level should be in between the two level marks. If you find it below the bottom level mark then this could indicate an oil leak, or the engine is in a critical need for oil. Also look to see whether it's been changed recently by looking for a smooth texture and yellow-brown colour. You will definitely know that the vehicle needs an maintenance oil change if the oil comes out looking burnt dark black. Then place your hands on the dipstick and rub it against your thumb.  If you feel small particles in the oil the engine may be worn or damaged causing you costly repair problems.

8.  Next test the car transmission for slippage.  Set the handbrake, depress the clutch pedal and shift through the gears to see if they easy fall in place while shifting. Also listen for any grinding sounds that may be coming from the transmission.

9.  Start up the engine. It should practically start up immediately. Listen closely for accurate start up ability and listen out for any sound of engine knocking or any other irregularities sounds that you do not normally hear when starting up a car. Be sure to ask questions about any sounds you are not familiar with to the car salesman.  Also check to see that there or not any engine indicator lights that comes on after starting up the engine.

10. Take the car for a test drive. Check the brakes in normal driving traffic conditions. They shouldn’t squeal and should bring the car to a stop in a sufficiently short distance. Make sure you do not have to press the brake pedal all the way down to come at a complete stop. This is a good sign that the vehicle may have worn down brakes pads or even a serious brake problem.

One Golden Rule: is to ask to see a record of the vehicle maintenance and car report. Look to see that the car had regular oil changes and checkups (maintenance schedules will vary by model etc.). Also, inquire about additional work that may have been done on the vehicle and ask to see receipts.

FOR ANY CAR BODY REPAIRS, CAR DENT REPAIRS, ALLOY WHEEL REPAIRS, CAR BUMPER REPAIRS CALL JOE FOR ADVICE & QUOTATION ON 07802348096 OR 0151 4932600 OR VISIT www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

SCUFFS 'N' SCRATCHES LTD 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED ~ FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

Top 4 Reasons to try Alloy Wheel Refurbishment for your Car

Alloy wheels are a fantastic feature on any car, but the demands of driving can soon mean that your car requires an alloy wheel refurbishment. Liverpool, as with other busy cities, is a particularly tough environment for alloy wheels as they can be easily damaged by city centre driving. Loose road surfaces, potholes, tight parking spots, minor accidents and extreme weather conditions can all take their toll on your alloys. Below we take a look at the top benefits of having your wheels refurbished.

1) REFURBISHING CAN  BE CHEAPER THAN REPLACING YOUR WHEELS
In fact, choosing to refurbish your alloys can actually be up to ten times cheaper than replacing them. It is also much quicker and easier to simply choose an alloy wheel refurbishment. Liverpool customers, and those in the surrounding area, can choose from a range of services tailored to suit your wheels from basic blast cleaning to complete refurbishment.


2) A NEW ALLOY COATING IS MORE RESILLIENT THAN THE ORIGINAL
Your car will have looked great when you first bought it but unfortunately, even if you bought a new car, you could find that the alloy coating on the wheels was not of the highest standard and it might be time to go for an alloy wheel refurbishment. Liverpool drivers may find that city driving has left the wheels on their new or used car in need of some attention. Refurbishing your existing wheels is the solution as the alloy coating used on your alloys during refurbishment is likely to be more resilient than that of your original wheels which means you can enjoy smarter alloys for longer.

3) YOU CAN CHOOSE THE COLOUR OF YOUR ALLOYS
Silver alloys look great but then as they are the standard colour choice they’re quite common. Coordinating the colour of your car paintwork with that of your alloy wheels will bring a fresh look to your vehicle and really personalise your car. Changing the colour of your alloy wheels is a much cheaper option to buying a new car if you are looking for a new look from your vehicle and you can even choose from a two tone effect or multiple colour effects for a truly unique look.

4) ANY KERB DAMAGE CAN BE REMOVED
Driving into kerbs when parking or pulling over or driving over potholes can soon cause scrapes, cracks and chips to your alloys and these are a prime reason to consider wheel refurbishment. Merseyside drivers will know that tight parking spaces and heavy traffic can lead to having to pull in or park quickly and in inconvenient places which means that your alloy wheels may become damaged by kerbs. Damage to your alloys, from light scuffs to significant cracks, can be easily repaired to leave your wheels looking smooth and as good (if not better) than new.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ALLOY WHEEL REPAIRS IN LIVERPOOL THEN CALL JOE WOODHOUSE

0151 493 2600 OR 07802 348 096 OR VISIT www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

SCUFFS 'N' SCRATCHES LTD, 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD
FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996