Your local mechanic

Your local mechanic West Midlands Based 📍
45+ Years Experience 🔧
Services Plans From Just £20/pm 🚘

05/09/2026

Ford Transit Courier in with us this week, oil pressure warning light flashing on the dash and the van dropping into limp mode.

That warning light and limp mode combination on these Couriers is a common one, and it usually points to the wet belt.

Elliot stripped it down and found the wet belt in about as bad a state as he's seen. This van had done 98,000 miles without it ever being changed. Belt debris had broken away and completely blocked the oil strainer, which is what was starving the engine of oil pressure and triggering the warning.

Sump off, strainer out and cleaned properly, new wet belt fitted, rebuilt with fresh parts, fresh oil and filter, then a full service and road test.

Wet belts sit inside the engine bathed in oil rather than running dry like a normal timing belt. When they break down, the debris doesn't fall harmlessly to the floor, it circulates and can block oil pickup points like this strainer. Worth knowing if your van's never had one changed.

Back on the road and ready for collection.

31/08/2026

Mercedes A200 diesel in with us at Dudley, customer complaining of a serious lack of power.

Elliot ran the diagnostics first rather than guessing. The DPF (diesel particulate filter, the bit that traps soot from the exhaust) was showing 400% full, way beyond where it should be. That reading was caused by a component fault, and when the filter came out it was, as suspected, completely blocked. On top of that, the exhaust temperature sensor had packed in, which is part of why the filter had loaded up so badly without the car flagging it properly.

The customer opted for a secondhand DPF, which we had professionally cleaned, along with a new lambda sensor and a new exhaust temperature sensor. Faults cleared, values reset, everything checked.

Road test afterwards was a different car altogether. Power back, no hesitation.

If your diesel feels flat or gutless, it's worth getting the DPF and sensors checked properly rather than just clearing the fault code and hoping.

27/08/2026

Vauxhall Corsa in Dudley this week, 2018 plate, 1.4 16-valve — came in with a rattle from the engine.

Rattles like that are worth taking seriously. Elliot had a listen and got it up on the ramp to have a proper look.

Turned out to be the timing chain, badly worn and stretched. That's what was causing the noise. Usually comes down to the chain not getting the maintenance it needs over time.

Elliot changed the timing chain and did an oil and filter change while it was in. All sorted and back on the road.

If your Corsa's making a rattling noise on start-up or when it's ticking over, don't ignore it. Worth getting it checked before it costs you more.

22/08/2026

One of the fleet care vans in for us this week, brought in with an emissions fault flagging up.

Elliot ran the diagnostic and found no signal coming back from the downstream NOx sensor, the one fitted after the exhaust treatment system that checks the gases coming out are within limits.

No reading at all meant the sensor itself had failed rather than a wiring issue. Main dealer part sourced, fitted, and the system reprogrammed to recognise it.

Back on the road and back to work. Sometimes it really is as straightforward as the diagnostic says.

14/08/2026

Routine maintenance is the key to longevity.

This beautiful Audi A3 is up on the lift for a brake refresh out with the old,and in with the shiny new discs you see in the foreground.

Clean cars deserve a clean workspace, and our shop is ready for yours!

Book your routine service today

West Midlands 📍

10/08/2026

Happy Monday ‼️

Workplace setup: 10/10 🔥

Clean bay, fresh lighting, and the right tools for the job.

Ready for another busy week! 🔧⚡

West Midlands 📍

07/08/2026

When the crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer starts failing, it’s time for a fresh setup.

Jag F-Pace stripped back, old worn pulley and cracked belt removed, and new components installed to keep everything running seamlessly.

Proper preventive maintenance! ⚙️🧰

West Midlands 📍

06/08/2026

We can’t fix your life stress, but we can definitely handle your car troubles. 🔨

Stop stressing every time a warning light pops up on your dashboard.

Our £20/month cover plan has you sorted with FREE diagnostics, FREE call-outs, and discounted repairs.

Comment or message us “PLAN” and we’ll send you the link right away! 📲✨

West Midlands 📍

05/08/2026

Did you know Ford recommends changing the 1.0 EcoBoost wet belt every 10 years or 100,000 miles?

Leaving it too late can clog the oil pickup strainer and cause total engine failure.

Send us a message to get yours booked in! ⚙️🧰

West Midlands 📍

31/07/2026

Classic Vauxhall Insignia issue solved! 🔧

A sudden loss of power, a loud whistling/whooshing sound, or limp mode?

Nine times out of ten on the Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi, it’s a split intercooler boost pipe.

See the split in the old hose and the fresh, brand-new replacement fitted and ready to restore full boost! 🚀

Got a loss of power or strange engine noises?

Bring it down to Your Local Mechanic!

💬 DM us or give us a call to get your car booked in!

West Midlands 📍

Address

Unit 6 Turner Street
Brierley Hill
DY11TX

Telephone

+447453957641

Website

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