Will a garage check something for free?
Discussion
Basically I brought a new car a couple of weeks ago circa £700, so obviously its not going to be in the best condition ever. Anyway the car came with 12 months MOT and had no advisories as far as the paper work goes. The car however makes a relatively loud buzzing noise under acceleration but normal noises when off the accelerator even at reasonably high revs, therefore I assume that it must be something to do with the exhaust???
The real question is, if I take the car to a garage will they be able to have a quick look to diagnose the problem before I have to pay for anything? Its just that I do not have a job at the moment so funds are seriously limited and if the fault is not seriously damaging the car I will not sort it until the next MOT.
The real question is, if I take the car to a garage will they be able to have a quick look to diagnose the problem before I have to pay for anything? Its just that I do not have a job at the moment so funds are seriously limited and if the fault is not seriously damaging the car I will not sort it until the next MOT.
Sounds like a loose exhaust heat shield. Almost certainly nothing to worry about.
If you find a garage with an empty ramp they might fix it for you for £5 cash if it's not difficult to get at.
Do you have a fit female friend who could assist?
You could always do it yourself, just watch your eyes with loose rust etc.
£700 car plus no job equals learning to do stuff yourself (I've been there).
If you find a garage with an empty ramp they might fix it for you for £5 cash if it's not difficult to get at.
Do you have a fit female friend who could assist?
You could always do it yourself, just watch your eyes with loose rust etc.
£700 car plus no job equals learning to do stuff yourself (I've been there).
I'm guessing it depends on the garage but in my experience, yeah they will. My fiesta started pulling to the left and the suspension squeaked under load, I assumed the bushings and wishbones were on their way out, took it to my local garage, they put it on the ramp, checked out the wishbones and confirmed this. They also noticed that the front left wheel was buckled which was compounding the problem, so they swapped it with the back wheel which helped alot. All this was for free, no pushing for paid work either.
If you take it to a quick fit or tyre & Exhaust sort of place they will probably chuck it on a ramp and have a look for free – if they aren’t busy.
It sound like a heat shield rattle.
I had it on my old car.
The heat shield is a 2 part clam shell that goes over the cat and it’s normally riveted together.
The rivets corrode over time and it gets rattly.
It can be fixed with a couple of long jubilee clips to hold it together which can cost £10 - £20.
It can be fixed with a couple of spot welds.
It can be fixed with a drill and a few nuts and bolts.
You can remove it completely – depending on the car.
It can also be fixed with a length of strong wire and pair of pliers to just keep twisting till it’s tight.
For a £700 car I’d go for the last option.
Unless you have easy/free access to jubilee clips or welders.
It sound like a heat shield rattle.
I had it on my old car.
The heat shield is a 2 part clam shell that goes over the cat and it’s normally riveted together.
The rivets corrode over time and it gets rattly.
It can be fixed with a couple of long jubilee clips to hold it together which can cost £10 - £20.
It can be fixed with a couple of spot welds.
It can be fixed with a drill and a few nuts and bolts.
You can remove it completely – depending on the car.
It can also be fixed with a length of strong wire and pair of pliers to just keep twisting till it’s tight.
For a £700 car I’d go for the last option.
Unless you have easy/free access to jubilee clips or welders.
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