Free Vehicle Health Checks

Here at Paynes we offer all of our customers a complementary vehicle health check. In the downloads section of this page is a sample form which will show you all of the areas on your vehicle that we will examine during your Free Vehicle Health Check.

Listed below are a sample of the more common items found during the Visual Health Check.

Tyres

Tyre wear is quite normal and is based on mileage, driving style and the type of use of the vehicle. Most modern new tyres will start with around 8mm of tread.

Red

The legal minimum tread limit on a road tyre 1.6mm. Tyres found with a tread depth of 3mm or below will be reported to you as a Red concern. Low tread levels can promote adverse issues with vehicle control, for instance, extended braking distances and reduced water displacement. Tyres below the legal limit of 1.6mm tread depth are subject to a penalty of 3points per tyre on your license and a fine £2500 per tyre.

Amber

Tyres found to have 3 to 4mm of tread, while not requiring changing immediately, potentially may not last until your next service. We will report these to you as an amber concern and will agree with you a date for you to return for a free inspection and report. This will prevent the tyre reaching the legal limit and the associated concerns.

Brake Pads

Brake Pad wear is quite normal and again is dependent on use and mileage.

Red

Brake pads found with approximately 80% or more wear will be reported as a Red Concern because of the risk of reduced braking efficiency, steering pull and vibration. Also the possibility of damage to the brake discs.

Amber

Brake pads found with approximately 60% to 80% wear. While they will not need replacing immediately, they will be reported as an amber Concern as they may require replacing prior to your next service. We will agree with you a date to return for a free inspection and a further condition report. This will confirm the continued safety of the vehicle and prevent the potential for the pads excessively wearing and causing consequential damage.

Brake Discs

Brake discs will wear depending on use and mileage. They may also corrode or form a lip on the outer edges. Again this is quite normal provided that the wear remains within limits specified by the manufacturer

Red

Discs reported as a red concern will be close to or below the manufacturers recommended thickness. We will provide a reading to support this. This is a critical safety related item and can affect the efficiency of the braking system. In addition excessively worn discs generate more heat which can promote premature issues with wheel bearings and ball joints.

Amber

Discs showing signs of wear or that are starting to become lipped will be reported as an amber concern. While they are above the manufacturers recommended thickness, we will agree with you a date to bring your vehicle back for a free inspection and a condition report.

Brake Fluid

Hydraulic brake fluid is the life blood of the braking system. Over a period of time the fluid will absorb moisture from the atmosphere and become less effective. Most manufacturers will therefore recommend as preventive maintenance that a brake fluid change is carried out every two years,

Red

Brake fluid tested and found to have deteriorated due to a high moisture content will be reported to you as a red concern. We will provide a reading to support this. Poor quality fluid will over time result in your braking system becoming less effective. Water laden fluid can promote corrosion and pitting to associated brake components. We will also recommend a brake fluid change in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Amber

If the reading we take if found to be above normal but not yet excessive we will report this to you as an amber concern as the fluid may require changing before the next service is due. We will agree with you a date to bring your vehicle back for a free inspection and a condition report.