Grovefield Garage

17/02/2026

Another reminder about VW / Audi Group timing belts and water pumps

We’re regularly seeing water pump failures on Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) vehicles, even where the timing belt is still within its service life.

Historically, timing belt replacement intervals were around 5 years. More recently, VAG have moved towards mileage-based guidance — commonly up to 140,000 miles — and no longer state a specific time interval in some cases.

However, in real-world workshop conditions, we often find that water pumps do not last as long as the belt itself. It’s not unusual to see them begin leaking or failing at around 4 years, regardless of mileage.

For that reason, we strongly recommend that whenever a timing belt is replaced, the following components are changed at the same time:
• Water pump
• Fresh antifreeze/coolant
• Belt tensioner
• Idler pulleys

Replacing these parts together helps prevent premature failure and avoids the additional labour costs involved if the water pump fails after a belt-only replacement.

Preventative replacement is almost always more cost-effective than paying twice for the same strip-down work.

11/02/2026

THE G TEAM

Car playing up?
MOT looming?
Strange noise you’re pretending not to hear?

Call The G Team.

Shawn.
Mal.
Vicky.

We fix it. Properly.

Grovefield Garage.

26/11/2025

New electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED)

As part of the Autumn Budget set out today, the government have announced plans to introduce a new tax for EVs called eVED from April 2028, which will apply to electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

This is designed to replace the fuel duty revenues which will be lost as petrol and diesel vehicles are phased out over time.

eVED will be based on the miles driven by electric vehicle (EVs) and paid alongside existing Vehicle Excise Duty, with petrol and diesel vehicles continuing to be subject to fuel duty.

Other electric vehicle types (e.g. vans, HGVs) will not be in scope of the tax upon introduction.

The government has published a consultation on the new tax which is available on gov.uk and will be open until 18 March 2026.

Mileage checks at MOT stations
Under the plans, motorists will submit details of miles driven each year at the time their VED is due. A validation check will be then made against the mileage recorded at MOT garages.

For vehicles under 3 years old, the government intends for these cars to attend an additional mileage check at an accredited provider – MOT garages. This would be around their first and second anniversary, but the government is also seeking views through the consultation to confirm whether these additional checks should be required.

These checks would be funded by the government to cover the time taken by testers to carry them out.

Next steps
During and following the consultation, DVSA and DfT will work with HM Treasury and the MOT industry to make sure this work fits into the existing MOT service. We will update you through the Matters of Testing blog and other methods as this progresses, and will be talking to trade bodies in the coming days.

This will include how mileage is recorded at MOT (which could, for example, include using diagnostic equipment) and how MOT garages will be paid for any additional checks they undertake.

While the full details will be finalised over the coming years, this represents a strong vote of confidence in the MOT system and demonstrates the government's commitment to supporting the industry's future.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69260d23aca6213a492dd0a2/Consultation_on_the_Introduction_of_eVED.pdf

11/07/2025

Got a Citröen or DS car? Your rights as ‘do not drive’ order issued.
- Dangerously defective airbag components

If you've got a Citroen or DS car, check if yours is one of the 120,000 issued with a 'do not drive' order due to serious safety concerns. Martin Lewis' MSE answers your questions on your rights to compensation and courtesy cars.

21/04/2025

Thank you to a lovely customer who took some fantastic photos of our garage – we really appreciate it!

12/01/2024

Please check your tyre tread depths all year round.

Don’t wait for the MOT test to alert you of non-existent tread, resulting in very little grip on the road - especially in icy weather!

24/12/2023

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you to all our customers for your continued support over the past year.

We are looking forward to a well deserved rest now, until we re-open on Monday 8th January 2024.

Take care.

14/10/2023

An excessively worn lower suspension ball joint.

These keep your road wheels in position, allowing the vehicle to steer around a fixed point.

When worn, the steering can wander and may exhibit a ‘knock’ or rattle when travelling over rough roads.

A badly worn ball joint can break apart, causing a dangerous condition when driving at any speed.

Don’t allow suspension joints to become dangerously worn. Get any abnormal ‘knock’ or rattle checked out, and replace worn parts before they become dangerous.

14/10/2023

Timing belt replacement on a VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group) engine.

- the manufacturer recommendeds replacement every 5 years, but water pump tends to leak at 4 years. If you are noticing coolant level dropping, but no visible leaks, then it could be your water pump that is weeping.

- A leaking water pump will not only allow the engine to overheat, but the leak could mean the bearings are worn and a risk that the timing belt could be affected causing catastrophic engine failure.

14/10/2023

Auxiliary drive belt & tensioner failure.

Customer was oblivious to any fault, other than a couple of warning lights on instrument panel.

With the failure of belt and tensioner, the alternator won’t be charging the vehicle battery, the water pump won’t circulate the coolant around the engine, and the air-con compressor won’t be operating.

After clearing up remains of broken belt, a new belt, tensioner and guide pulley were needed to get this vehicle back on the road.

10/10/2023

Spider season… but you don’t normally see a kamikaze spider clinging to a driveshaft!

I bet he’s seasick when this vehicle’s on the move.