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Driver Help Center

Work out what is going on with your car before you ring anybody. No sign-up, no email address, and no obligation to bring it here.

Something is wrong

Diagnose a Problem Start with what you can hear, see or smell. We will tell you what it usually means and how urgent it is. 8 problems Can I Drive It? A straight read on whether a symptom means stop now, soon, or book it in. Car Will Not Start Click, crank, or nothing at all — narrow down why before you call anyone.

Symptoms & Drivability

Car Overheating A hot gauge, steam, or coolant loss — what it may mean and when to stop. Car Shaking When it shakes points at the cause — tires, brakes, engine or suspension. Car Stalling Stalls at idle, stopping, or while driving — and whether it is a safety risk. Rough Idle Shaking or a bouncing RPM at a stop — usually fuel, air or spark. Car Losing Power Sluggish, struggling uphill, or in limp mode — what to check first. Car Won’t Accelerate Revs but barely moves, or a dead pedal — engine, throttle or drivetrain.

Warning Lights

Dashboard Light Guide What each light means, and which ones mean pull over and switch the engine off rather than book it in next week. 38 lights Check Engine Code Lookup Type the code your reader gave you. What it means, whether the car is safe to drive, and what usually causes it. 105 codes

Sounds & Symptoms

Identify a Car Noise Tell us when you hear it and what it sounds like. We will tell you what it usually turns out to be. 18 noises Identify a Car Leak The colour and the position of the puddle usually say which system it came from, and whether it matters.

Maintenance & Wear

Battery & Charging Dead battery, slow crank, clicking, a charging light, or one that keeps dying.

Buying a Car

Used Car Inspection Checklist What to look at before you hand over the money, in the order you would do it. Tick it off on your phone or print it. 28 checks

This is general guidance, not a diagnosis. It is based on what you can see, hear, smell or read — not a physical inspection of your vehicle. A symptom or a trouble code narrows things down; it does not name the failed part, and the same one can mean different things on different cars. Confirming the actual cause takes the car in front of someone. When in doubt, treat it as more serious, not less.

These tell you where to look, not what to replace

A code or a symptom narrows things down — it does not name the part. Working out which of several causes it actually is takes the car being in front of somebody, and that is the bit we do before anything gets quoted.

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