Return to the road safely post lockdown by performing these checks.

East Anglian Daily Times: Unused cars that have been left standing for a while may have a flat battery, seized brakes or faulty lights. Picture: Getty ImagesUnused cars that have been left standing for a while may have a flat battery, seized brakes or faulty lights. Picture: Getty Images (Image: Archant)

Philip Jeffries, owner of Jeffries garage in Bacton, explains the effects that life in lockdown may have had on your car and why taking it to a professional before driving it again may be a good idea.

Q: Why is it important to book my car in for servicing after lockdown?

Even if you haven’t been clocking up the miles lately, your car may still need a service.

Unused cars that have been left standing for a while may have a flat battery, seized brakes or faulty lights. It’s important to make sure your car is safe to drive before you get back on the road.

East Anglian Daily Times: Even if you havent been clocking up the miles lately, your car may still need a service. Picture: Getty ImagesEven if you havent been clocking up the miles lately, your car may still need a service. Picture: Getty Images (Image: MuchMania)

We’ll thoroughly inspect your car for any issues and make any necessary repairs quickly and for a reasonable price. We care about keeping you and your family safe on the roads.

We’ll run checks on brake pads to ensure they’re functioning properly and inspect your tyres for any tears and inflate them if the pressure’s low. Minimal use of your wipers may have caused them to harden, which could affect your visibility when driving. We’ll get these cleaned or replaced.

You may notice that your air conditioning is not working properly. When you bring your car in for a service, we’ll check that your air conditioning is working. We can also perform air con servicing and antibacterial sanitation to help clear out any bacteria that may be present.

You should check under your bonnet for any signs of mice or rat droppings. When a car is unused, rodents can climb into the engine for warmth and could chew the wiring.

We’ll check the engine for any signs of damage, clear out the infestation and fix any affected areas.

Q: When should I book my car in for its MOT?

The government offered a six-month extension on MOT tests, but you could be fined if there’s something wrong with your car like a malfunction of lights or poor tyre condition.

Now that garages can open again, I’d recommend booking your car’s MOT test as soon as possible.

Booking your car in for its test if its due will help you avoid any problems, added costs and reassure you that your car is safe to drive.

Q: What checks can I do on my car beforehand to help it pass its MOT?

Simple things like making sure your license plates are visible, checking your windscreen for chips and cracks and topping up your windscreen wiper fluid are some of the areas that you can check yourself.

Most often cars fail because of a slight issue that’s easily fixed beforehand.

I’d recommend booking your car in for a service. We can ensure everything’s in good working order before your car goes in for its test.

Q: Are MOT centres and garages safe to visit and how can I book an appointment?

We resumed regular business hours on June 1. You can call us to pre-arrange your MOT or servicing. We’re doing all we can to protect customers and keep staff safe.

PPE is in place. We’ve set up Perspex screen at tills and desks, sanitising stations and two-metre social distancing markers.

Only one technician will work on your car while it’s in the garage. We’ll cover your car’s interior to protect it. We’ll place your keys in a plastic bag and park your vehicle on the forecourt for you to collect once we’re finished.

Jeffries is an independent family run and owned business. We’ve been serving the community in and around Bacton since 1951. We offer MOT testing, car maintenance, repair and servicing for all makes and models of cars.

Visit jeffriesofbacton.co.uk for more information.

Call 01449 781087 or email info@jeffriesofbacton.co.uk to book an appointment.