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Catalytic converters are present on practically every car on the road today. They use chemical reactions to clean harmful gasses – such as carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons – from your car’s exhaust emissions. Their job is particularly important these days now that we are more climate-conscious. They convert (hence the name) these harmful gasses into less damaging substances like carbon dioxide and water vapour. The interior of the ‘cat’ is generally fitted with a honeycomb structure onto which a coating is applied that contains a catalyst – this creates a reaction with the exhaust gasses, altering them chemically. 

How often are catalytic converters being stolen?

Sadly, we are hearing from more and more customers who have had their ‘cats’ stolen. They’re being targeted not because of their value as car parts but because they use precious metals like palladium, rhodium and platinum as catalysts. In most of today’s cars, the converter is found underneath the vehicle towards the exhaust outlet, making it easily accessible to thieves who can cut the whole unit out from underneath the car, sometimes in less than 2 minutes. It’s a quick win for thieves but a big loss for car owners. 

Is your car a target?

All vehicles are at risk, but cars and commercial vehicles that sit higher off the road (like SUVs and crossovers) are often in the firing line because getting under them is easier. Thieves may even keep targeting the same model of vehicle simply because they get used to removing that particular catalytic converter. Our customers have even come to us to replace their stolen ‘cat’, only to have the new one stolen not long after. This is not just very inconvenient, but also incredibly costly.

How can you prevent the theft?

It’s best to park your car in a locked garage if you can. If not, try to park in a well-lit and busy area. If you park your car in your driveway or on the road outside your house, installing sensor-enabled lights and security cameras is an effective way to deter or catch thieves. Some car manufacturers offer locks to slow thieves down, such as Toyota’s “Catloc” for the Prius and Auris. Or you can look into installing a Thatcham Category 1 alarm which uses tilt sensors to detect if a jack is lifting your car before it sounds an alarm. 

Hopefully, the above will help to reduce the risk of your catalytic converter being stolen. Browse our other blog posts for more information and advice.

It’s that time of the year again; the sun is coming out of hibernation, the lotion is being dusted for cobwebs and pulled out the back of the cupboard, and you’re relying on your car’s air con to keep you cool on your travels. But could you be harming yourself in the process?

As a rule, you should service your air conditioning every two years. This regular maintenance is important to ensure the system runs smoothly and to prevent nasty bacteria from building up. Dust and dirt inside your vehicle and polluted air will eventually mix with the moisture in the system and cause bacteria and fungi. Left this way, you may even notice strange smells coming from your car. 

However, there is a more sinister problem to think about. A new study by Kwik Fit and researchers at London Metropolitan University has revealed this bacteria is associated with meningitis, urinary tract infections and septic arthritis. Those with asthma and allergies may notice their symptoms worsening as the fungus builds up, but it could eventually impact even those with a clean bill of health. Senior lecturer Dr Paul Matewele at London Metropolitan University says, “The study highlights that air conditioning systems are suitable breeding grounds for bacteria and therefore underlines the importance of cleaning and replacing filters. I’m sure if car owners knew what they were blowing out of their air conditioning vents, they would think twice before switching them on this summer.”

Now, we’re not suggesting that you shouldn’t use your air conditioning; just make sure you look after it. We recommend an air con regas every couple of years to service the system as the bare minimum – even if it seems to be working fine. You may also wish to add an antibacterial treatment for further decontamination and peace of mind. 

If you’re like me and really hate cleaning your car (!) you may be motivated to keep at least part of it neat if you know you could be fined up to £1,000. Now, I’m not saying you could get charged for having a dirty car – I’m ashamed to admit mine has been known to be offensively grimy – but you can get in trouble for having a mucky number plate amongst other things.

Your licence plate tells the police where and when the vehicle is registered and allows Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to do their job. Making sure the registration number is legible is a legal requirement. If it’s hard to read or covered in dirt, you could be stopped and fined anything from £100 to a grand on the spot. Not only should your number plates be clean, but they also need to be made from reflective material. The front plate should display black characters on a white background, while the rear plate should display black characters on a yellow background, and neither should have a background pattern. 3D and 4D lettering is allowed as long as it doesn’t compromise readability. 

But, it’s not just your registration plate that can get you in trouble. The Highway Code states that drivers must take special care to maintain their car and ensure it’s working properly, stating “lights, indicators, reflectors and number plates MUST be kept clean and clear.” It’s amazing how dirty your lights can get, how much this can impact your vision in the car, and how visible you are to others on the road. Many modern cars have built-in headlight washers – they spray your lights at the same time as your windscreen. However, generally, this only removes loose dirt, so it’s best not to depend on them. You can clean your lights simply by wiping with warm water, or you can buy dedicated cleaning kits. You can even clean your headlights with toothpaste! If you’re worried about causing damage, head to your local garage. Your indicators and reflectors are just as important and also need to be kept clear. Be aware, if you’ve tried everything to clean your lights and they are still cloudy, discoloured or faded, it may be time to replace the bulb, or even the headlight unit itself. A garage will be able to advise you on this. 

Of course, this blog post doesn’t cover everything you can be fined for on the road – a quick Google search will open your eyes to so many things you can get in trouble for if you’re not careful. But perhaps it has made you think twice about putting off cleaning your car again!

The used car market is a minefield, to put it lightly. Sadly, you wouldn’t believe the number of times we have to inform customers that the car they’ve just bought is not in the condition they believed it to be. If you’re in the market for a second-hand car, there are some things you can do to mitigate the risk of being cheated.

The do’s and don’ts of buying a used car:

NEVER buy a car without its MOT

First and foremost, if a car’s MOT has expired, do not buy it. This is practically a sure sign that the seller has something to hide. If its MOT test is due in the next couple of months, the best thing to do is ask that the seller takes it early. You can offer to pay extra for the test, and the seller should cover any repairs needed.

Always do a thorough background check

It’s vital to review a vehicle’s history before you go to view it. You can find a lot about a car online, certainly enough to determine whether it’s worth seeing. First, do an MOT check – www.check-mot.service.gov.uk is the place for that. You already know what to do regarding the MOT due date, but make sure to take note of the MOT history as well. Check for any advisories, particularly those on the most recent MOTs, that may not have been dealt with and make a note to ask about them when meeting the seller. If you’re buying from a private seller, we recommend using sites like Auto Trader. Cars listed here go through a background check before being available for purchase. You can buy a lot of vehicles on Facebook Marketplace these days, but these are not pre-checked and therefore are a much riskier purchase.

It’s also wise to do an HPI check. The most comprehensive ones aren’t free, but it’s a small price for complete transparency. The report will tell you whether the car is on finance, if it’s been written off, or marked as stolen – all massive red flags! Type “HPI check” into Google, and you’ll get multiple options, all of which are fine. You’d be looking at around £20 for a check to tell you everything you need to know.

The proof is in the paperwork

Request that the seller sends you screenshots of the vehicle’s service history to confirm whether it’s up-to-date on its maintenance. Generally, the vehicle should have had a service every year, alternating between a full and interim service in its most basic form (although it’s better if it has stuck to the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule – read our previous blog post!). If you decide to view the vehicle, request proof of ownership through a purchase receipt and ensure you get the physical copies of the service history. The logbook doesn’t prove ownership, but you must be handed this; otherwise, you won’t be able to tax the vehicle.

Check the mileage

A second-hand car with low mileage (anything less than 40,000 miles on the clock) is more desirable. However, if you’ve found a nice car with low mileage and at a low cost, likely, something is not quite right. Nowadays, it’s easy to alter a car’s mileage; it’s just a case of having the right software on your laptop. If you’re viewing a vehicle that looks in good knick but is cheap, given its low mileage, look closer. Check for stone chips on the bonnet, the condition of the seats and mats and how worn the pedals look. The general rule; if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Second-hand cars are expensive these days, especially in seemingly-good condition with low mileage.

Stop, look and listen

Talking about condition, if you’re viewing a car, there are some important things to check for, and you don’t have to be an expert to spot them. The first thing you should do is a visual inspection. Check outside, underneath and inside. Look for signs of repainting or body work replacement indicating the car had been in an accident. The most important thing is that the car is safe and mechanically sound, so you must test-drive it. Turn the radio off and ask the seller (if in the vehicle) to stay quiet. Listen out for unusual noises or rattles and check for excessive smoke. Test the brakes and handbrake and pay close attention to the steering and handling. If you notice anything that seems off, it’s not worth the risk.

Get a second opinion

Of course, unless you know exactly what to look for, it’s hard to be certain you’re not being taken for a fool. If you buy a second-hand car, it’s wise to inspect it as soon as possible. Many garages will be happy to have a general look over the important elements free of charge (we certainly will!) to give you some peace of mind or to bring your attention to something you may have missed. If you buy from a dealer and have a problem within 30 days of purchase, you can either request a full refund or a like-for-like replacement. If you buy from a private seller, you don’t have as much legal protection, as it’s your responsibility to be careful. Head to the Citizens Advice website for a confirmation of your rights.

The main takeaway is to be cautious. Don’t get too wrapped up in the excitement; think with your head and not your heart!

If you’ve just purchased a used vehicle and would like someone to check it over, please give us a call on 01485 533786 in Hunstanton or 01553 763763 in King’s Lynn. Or, if you’re still browsing and want some advice, contact us – we’d be more than happy to help.

Not to sound like a broken record, but the cost of living crisis is still in full swing, and it’s as important as last year to be careful with your spending. With that in mind, have you considered that you could potentially be overspending on your car servicing?

Servicing your car is paramount to ensuring it performs as it should and is safe for you and others on the road. So, reducing how often you service your car or choosing to only book for small services is not the best option. Although in the short term, you’ll be spending less, in the long run, you could end up shelling out way more than you bargained for because of damage caused by not servicing your car properly in the first place. So, how do you keep on top of your car’s maintenance and your finances?

Menu Servicing

Short answer: menu servicing. This is the service recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer based on its current mileage and age. A garage that offers menu servicing will take your vehicle details and use a comprehensive online program to determine exactly what needs renewing/inspecting rather than simply guessing. They will take your vehicle’s service history into account as well to ensure everything that needs to be done is recommended at the correct time. This saves you money in two ways; 1, you can ensure the service being done on your car is only what is requested; and 2, your vehicle will be up to date on its service checks and renewals, extending its life, retaining more of its value, and lessening the chance of any deterioration caused by neglect.

A common misconception is that only main dealerships can offer this type of service; however, some independent garages do. And, because they are independent, don’t have as many overheads and can supply and fit a range of different parts (including genuine) depending on requirements and budget, they can charge less.

What service does your car need?

Unlike the slipper socks you may have unwrapped for Christmas, it’s not a case of one size fits all with your vehicle’s service schedule. What we’ve touched on above but not in so much detail is knowing what kind of service your car needs and when.

You may have come across the concept of small and large services or something similar. These are usually set services that you would be advised to alternate between year on year. We do things differently. Although we offer set services (Bronze, Silver and Gold), most of our customers choose to have what is required based on their vehicle’s age and mileage – this is menu servicing. To explain how this works, it’s easier to use an example: a car is seven years old and has done around 40,000 miles. We would use our technical data software to look up the vehicle and determine the correct service based on this information.

You don’t have to pay main dealer prices to get main dealer quality. At K Brown Auto Repairs, we can service any make and model of vehicle – even if it’s under warranty – to the manufacturer’s specifications and for a more affordable price. Plus, we offer exemplary customer service, a quick turnaround, and regular updates to keep you informed. Our long-term customers, Ashley and Diana Corden, sum it up nicely in their Google review: “For those who critique non-dealer garages, K Browns have done all my servicing on Jaguar XJs, XFs, AMG Mercedes, M BMWs and Porsche. I would go to K Browns over dealers every time.”

To speak to a team member or book your vehicle in for a service, call 01553 763763 for King’s Lynn or 01485 533786 for Hunstanton.