May 2021

As traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels and our cars are getting more use, it’s important to be confident that they are going to safely get us to where we’re going. If it’s still a few months until your next MOT or Service and you’re concerned about your car’s performance or safety, we encourage you to book in for a complimentary Vehicle Health Check at Thame Cars.

Book your FREE Vehicle Health Check here >

We have all the facilities and expertise available on site to be able to offer you a quick, no-hassle assessment of your car free of charge. Ensuring your car runs smoothly, as well as identifying any potential warning signs if something needs upgrading or that you should keep an eye on.

What's included in your free Vehicle Health Check (VHC)?

In essence, the Vehicle Health Check is a thorough maintenance check which includes; a basic mechanical check to ensure the engine, gearbox and other fundamentals are operating correctly, checking of consumables such as wiper blades and light bulbs, a thorough brake check, and any other checks necessary to ensure your vehicle is safe and properly maintained. It's a free service which only takes around 30 minutes, and once completed you will be given a printout detailing the technician's summary of the results.

To enable you to make a quick and easy decision about what action - if any - to take in response to your VHC, we use a simple traffic light system as follows:

Red:

A Red Vehicle Health Check result denotes that there are urgent safety issues with your car which require immediate attention.

Amber:

While some work is advised or there are issues which could require attention in future and therefore should be monitored, no urgent repairs are needed at present. For example, brake wear might be nearing the point at which the brake pads should be replaced, however is currently within acceptable standards. In these types of cases we will send a reminder for you to come in when it is likely that further action is required, for another Vehicle Health Check to check the status of previous amber issues.

Green:

Good news! Your vehicle has been given a clean bill of health and no repair or maintenance work is required.

Why should someone have a Vehicle Health Check (VHC)?

The aim of the VHC is to prevent a lack of proper maintenance from leading to costly repairs in the longer term. By seeking a professional opinion from a qualified technician, you can identify issues before serious problems develop. The Winter presents the most demanding conditions that your car is going to be asked to drive in, so it makes sense to run this suite of checks before its icy grip tightens.

The VHC can also detect faults when they become an issue and before any other problems arise, meaning that you won't find yourself in the position of having to pay out for multiple repairs in one go. By fixing minor issues as they develop, you can potentially prevent major problems, altogether extending the lifespan of your car (some of our customers bring cars to us which are now 20 plus years old and still going strong!).

Finally, many of our customers find that knowing a professional has inspected their car and given it the seal of approval is incredibly reassuring.

How often should I have a Vehicle Health Check (VHC)?

While an annual car service is essential, a year is more than enough time for potentially serious issues to develop. Therefore, our experts recommend that you take your car in for a VHC every 6 months. For added peace of mind, we give every vehicle a free health check when they're in for a Service or an MOT with us. However, a 6 monthly VHC is recommended regardless of whether or not your car is due a service, we’re happy to give your car a once over before you set off on long journeys too!

So that's the VHC in a nutshell. We think you'll agree that it's a great idea - whoever thought of it. And if you're still not totally convinced, why not contact us to book a free health check for your own car? Or follow the ‘Book a Vehicle Health Check’ link right here on our website.