T he coronavirus pandemic is having a massive impact on pretty much everyone across the globe. Social distancing and self-isolation are slowing the spread and people are only leaving their homes for essential supplies and medical appointments. Unfortunately, many things, including basic vehicle maintenance are not considered essential, leaving many Mercedes owners feeling anxious about the proper care and maintenance of their vehicles. Keeping that in mind, we are going to share some useful tips and advice that will help you maintain your Mercedes at home during the COVID-19 lockdown. Let’s take a look: Tips To Maintaining Your Mercedes During The COVID-19 Lockdown Battery - During the lockdown, you might not be driving your Mercedes very often. This can cause the battery to slowly discharge over time as it is still powering facilities such as the alarm. To avoid this, start the engine and let it run for at least 15 minutes every two weeks. Tyres And Brakes - If your car is not driven very often corrosion and dry rot can set in on your tyres and braking system. During the COVID-19 lockdown, be sure to check your tyre pressure regularly and remember that, after it has sat for a considerable amount of time, your brakes might make some noise when you begin driving it again, this is normal and will subside quickly. Fuel - Your Mercedes’ fuel tank could begin to build up condensation if it isn’t driven for a considerable amount of time. This can lead to poor performance and a possible CEL. To avoid this, be sure to fully fill your fuel tank before storing your car. MOT - If your car’s MOT is due on or after 30 March 2020, its expiry date will be extended by six months as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown. You do, however, still need to keep your vehicle safe to drive. Paint Protection – Most modern Mercedes-Benz vehicles are coated with a nano-particle paint designed to resist both grime and corrosion. However, it’s still a good idea to give it a clean regularly. Contact TEC Automotive To learn more about the COVID-19 lockdown and how you can properly maintain your Mercedes, contact TEC Automotive today. Our technicians can check and diagnose any issues your car might have and we have the specialised tools needed to repair it the right way. If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to share it on your favourite social media sites.

No MOT for 3 Months due to the Corona Virus. Yayyy! Or is it?

corona virus, mechanic, garage, tec automotive, covid-19

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I f your car is due for an MOT inspection, you might be feeling anxious and concerned as to whether or not your car will pass. Most Mercedes Benz owners typically have very little to worry about as long as they have had their vehicle professionally maintained by an authorised Mercedes Benz repair facility. Still, there are some factors that might need to be addressed as the MOT inspection is performed. While most are minor, they could still cost you time and money and delay your MOT inspection. Many UK drivers dread the thought of having to get their MOT done, but it is still necessary if they are to drive their cars legally on the road. We want our MOT to be as simple as dropping off our car, running some errands and picking it up on the way home. For that to happen, we need to make sure that it will pass the MOT and be considered safe and legal to drive. Otherwise, if your car fails its MOT, you won’t be able to drive it and that could mean delays in getting to work or taking the kids to school. Additionally, if your car does fail the MOT, you are at the liberty of the garage as to when they can get you in to repair the car and then to retest it. This can sometimes take weeks. With that being said, there are some things that you can do before your MOT inspection and, by fixing many of the following issues yourself, you can save a lot of time, reduce failures and ensure that your car passes the MOT test as being roadworthy and safe. If you have an upcoming MOT inspection, here are some things that you can do to prepare your vehicle to ensure a quick and successful inspection: Registration Plates: Be sure that both number plates are present and in good condition. They must also have the correct legal characters and spacing. Tyres: For your safety and to pass your next MOT inspection, your tyres should be properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure and the tread depth should be at least 1.6mm evenly across the tyre. Lights: Your front, rear and side indicators and head lights must be in good working order. If you have a light out, refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to replace the bulb before your MOT inspection. Still unsure? We can replace them for you whilst you wait here at TEC Automotive. Just one of the things we do to try and take the stress out of motoring for you. Windscreen/Wipers: Check your windscreen for any cracks or chips that could hinder your visibility and ensure that your wipers are in good working condition and replace as necessary. Mirrors: Your vehicle’s mirrors should be clean and free of any chips, cracks or other damage that could prevent them from being used properly. Exhaust: Check to ensure that your exhaust is not loose and that it does not have any leaks. If leaks are present, or you see exhaust components hanging down, bring your car to TEC for repair. Fuel: Check you have sufficient fuel as well as the proper grade. Improper fuel in your car will cause it to run poorly and increase the amount of emissions it produces, causing it to fail the MOT. Also, ensure that your fuel cap fits correctly and is in good condition. Oil Light: If your vehicle’s oil light is on, add the proper type of oil to the correct capacity per manufacturer’s instructions. Warning Lights: if your car has any warning lights on during your MOT, it will result in an automatic failure. The government is creating stricter regulations regarding Emissions levels and the MOT was originally designed to help reduce vehicle emissions. Save Time With TEC TEC Automotive is a customer-focused, authorised Mercedes Benz repair shop and we offer a FREE Pre-MOT Health Check which can alert you to any problems that your car might have that could cause it to fail an MOT inspection. Our FREE Pre-MOT Health Check takes around half an hour and will save you a lot of time during your next MOT inspection. Contact TEC Automotive To learn more tips to save time and have a successful MOT, contact TEC Automotive today. Our technicians can check and diagnose any warning lights your car might have on the dash, which is an automatic MOT failure and we have the specialised tools needed to repair it the right way. If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to share it on your favourite social media sites.