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Car Diagnostics Check

If you've encountered car troubles or seen a warning light illuminate on your dashboard, you've likely wondered about the underlying issue. In such cases, a car diagnostic check could prove invaluable.

While most technicians advise an annual car diagnostic check, a significant number of drivers neglect this service, potentially foregoing long-term savings.

What is a diagnostic test on a car?

When warning lights illuminate on your dashboard or you hear strange noises from your car, it can be confusing and alarming to most motorists. Some lights may be simply informative, such as low fuel level or seat belts unfastened, others require specialist attention.

Modern vehicles are fitted with advanced electronic systems which have been designed to warn drivers when attention is required. These systems are continually monitoring the status of your vehicle and will send an alert code when an issue arises.

As these systems are highly advanced, they are aware of a large number of potential errors and if found, these are displayed through dashboard warning lights. Whilst it is important that you have a basic understanding of what these warning lights mean, the underlying cause of the problem is only readable with diagnostic equipment.

At PTA Garage Services we have the latest diagnostic equipment for the vast majority of cars.

Full Car Diagnostic Investigation

When carrying out a full car diagnostic check, we will road test, carry out visual and physical inspections and test your vehicle with the appropriate equipment. Our state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment will scan for errors within the entire vehicle including the engine, brakes and transmission.

You will receive a diagnostic report and images of the fault or fault codes. We will use our best judgement, advise on the most appropriate course of action and provide a quotation for the repair works. With your authorisation we can book the work in and our trained technicians will carry out the necessary repairs. If you want to know more about the diagnostic tests we offer, get in touch now.

Why PTA Garages?

  • 40 years experience - For nearly four decades, PTA Garage Services has provided motorists in the South East with a welcoming and expert service.
  • Less to pay at PTA - Over time, our commitment to honesty, simplicity, and value has garnered significant popularity. This approach ensures our customers receive top-notch services at exceptionally competitive rates.
  • Cut out the middle man - Although there are countless websites providing tyre and garage services, a large portion of these act as agents or intermediaries. By choosing PTA, you eliminate the middleman and interact directly with the professionals handling your vehicle. This streamlined approach not only saves time and money but also minimises the potential for confusion or miscommunication.
  • Warranty protected - Our proficient and extensively trained team is capable of conducting comprehensive repairs and servicing on vehicles of all ages and models. Remarkably, at PTA, we're equipped to service and repair the latest vehicles without voiding warranties or incurring dealership costs. Thanks to the "block exemption" legislation enacted in 2003, PTA garages can legally service brand-new vehicles. This is possible because we exclusively utilise Original Equipment (OE) standard car parts and adhere to manufacturer's schedules.

Car Diagnostics Check Cost

At PTA Garage Services, our car diagnostic service starts from £45.

If you've noticed any dashboard lights appearing whilst driving your vehicle, you hear strange noises coming from your car, or think you may have a diagnostic issue, contact your local PTA branch today to book a diagnostics test.


Diagnostic Disclaimer – Electrical and Mechanical Investigations.

In certain electrical and mechanical investigations, a process of elimination may be the only way to get to the underlying problem.

To investigate a malfunction Indication Light (M.I.L) a diagnostic scan of your vehicle’s control unit will be required.

Some computer codes are minor and can be cleared and re-set.

Other more complex error codes or mechanical faults may indicate a problem within a wider system of multiple components and represent a symptom but not the underlying cause of the fault.

Our experienced technicians will use their best judgement and usually advise the replacement of the most commonly occurring faulty components first.

Customers will be kept informed at all stages. If our initial assessment and repair have not repaired the fault, we will only proceed with further work on the customer’s instructions.

We will always act in good faith and will advise a customer if the cost of repair is likely to be uneconomical in relation to the value of the vehicle, or if costs exceed a previously agreed price cap for the work.

If the customer decides not to proceed further, he or she will be charged for all work (parts and labour) carried out to that point.