📷 Has your car ever told you a sensor is blocked?
Many modern cars use cameras and radar for features like automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and parking sensors. Together these are known as ADAS, and they can only help you if they can see clearly. Winter road spray, salt and grime build up quickly on bumpers and around the windscreen camera. That can make features switch themselves off or behave unpredictably. A quick wipe of the sensors and a clean screen, inside and out, makes a real difference. If a...
Winter-Ready: Getting Your Car (and Yourself) Through the Dark, Wet Months
The clocks have gone back, the mornings are frosty and most of us are now driving home in the dark. November is when cars start to feel the strain of winter, and it's also the month of Road Safety Week, run by the road safety charity Brake. This year's theme is "Safe People on the Move", which is all about making the roads safer for everyone, whether they drive, walk, wheel or ride. We've been covering winter driving on our social channels all month. This article brings those posts together in...
🔋 Is your battery ready for the toughest few months of its year?
Cold mornings put far more strain on a car battery. The engine is harder to turn over, and at the same time you’re running the lights, heater and heated screen for longer. A battery that coped fine all summer can suddenly give up on the first frosty morning. Flat batteries are one of the most common causes of winter breakdowns. The warning signs are often there beforehand: a slow, laboured start, lights dimming as you turn the key, or a battery light on the dash. Lots of short journeys don’t...
🎃 The scariest thing on the road this Halloween isn’t a ghost
🎃 The scariest thing on the road this Halloween isn't a ghost, it's a tyre with no tread. Worn tread, low pressure and hidden damage have a habit of creeping up quietly, then showing up when the road's wet and you need to stop. The good news is there's nothing supernatural about fixing it: tread depth, pressures and sidewalls can all be checked in minutes. That's a wrap on Tyre Safety Month. If you've not had yours checked yet, there's still time. Call us on 0121 472 4300 and make sure your...
🔍 A judder or vibration doesn’t always mean the tyres
🔍 A judder or vibration doesn't always mean the tyres. It can be tyre balance, worn suspension, or the clutch and flywheel, and from the driver's seat they can feel surprisingly alike. Slipping, a biting point that's crept higher, or a clutch that's harder to engage are all signs it needs a look. Catching it early usually means a smaller repair than waiting for it to fail. Rather than guess, a proper diagnosis finds the real cause the first time. If something doesn't feel right, give us a ring...
🌧️ The clocks have gone back
🌧️ The clocks have gone back, which means darker evenings and a lot more wet-road driving. Wet roads put tyres and brakes under the most pressure, so tread depth, pressures and brake condition all matter more now than in summer. And your air con isn't just a summer feature: it dries the air in the cabin, which helps clear misted windows faster. If your windscreen is slow to clear, or the car doesn't feel as sharp when you brake, it's worth getting looked at before the weather really turns....
🚐 Motorhome and van owners
🚐 Motorhome and van owners: tyres don't just wear out, they age. Even with low mileage and plenty of tread, rubber can perish with time, sun and long spells parked up. TyreSafe has a dedicated guide for caravan, motorhome and trailer tyres. Heavy loads put extra strain on tyres, so correct pressures for your loaded weight matter, and so do sidewall condition and tyre age. If your vehicle sits between 3,000kg and 3,500kg, we can carry out your Class 7 MOT and look over the tyres while it's with...
🔧 Here’s one that’s easy to forget because you never see it
🔧 Here's one that's easy to forget because you never see it: your cambelt or wet belt. Both have a replacement interval set by the manufacturer, based on age as well as mileage. If one fails, it can cause serious and expensive engine damage, and it often gives little warning first. If you're not sure when yours was last done, or whether your car even has one, it's worth finding out before it finds you. Pop into Harborne Garage or visit harbornegarage.co.uk and we'll check the schedule for your...
Do you Know the Legal Minimum Tread?
⚖️ Most drivers know the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm. Fewer know what's at stake if you fall below it. You can face a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points per tyre, so four illegal tyres can add up fast. And grip in the wet drops off well before you reach the legal limit, which is why many safety experts recommend replacing nearer 3mm. The 20p test is a quick one: pop a coin into the main grooves, and if you can see the outer band of the coin, your tread may be getting low. Not...
A Blowout at Speed Can Happen Fast!
🚨 A blowout at speed is one of the more frightening things that can happen in a car — and it's one of the more common reasons people end up needing recovery. It's rarely completely out of nowhere either. Slow leaks, worn tread and underinflated tyres all raise the risk, especially on faster roads where heat builds up in a weak tyre until it fails. If it does happen, get off the road safely, put your hazards on, and stay somewhere visible but out of traffic. If you're local and it happens to...
🛑 Good tyres and good brakes aren’t really separate jobs
· 🛑 Good tyres and good brakes aren't really separate jobs — they're the same job: stopping the car in time. Grip only works if there's enough tread and pressure to put it down, but even the best tyres can't make up for worn brake pads or discs. In the wet, the two systems have to work together, and a weakness in either one adds real distance to how far you travel before stopping. It's part of why we check brakes and tyres together whenever a car comes in, rather than treating them as...
🔧 We’re hiring!
🔧 We're hiring! Harborne Garage Ltd is looking for a fully skilled mechanic to join our team. If you take pride in your work and like a busy, friendly workshop, we'd love to hear from you. What we're looking for: ✅ A fully skilled, experienced mechanic ✅ MOT licence preferred, but not essential ✅ Someone who cares about doing the job properly What we offer: ✅ A competitive salary ✅ Monday to Friday working, so your weekends are your own ✅ A supportive local team Know someone who'd be a great...
📋 Here’s a stat worth knowing
📋 Here's a stat worth knowing: tyre defects are one of the most common reasons cars fail their MOT in the UK, contributing to over 2 million failures a year. The frustrating part is that most of it's avoidable — tread depth, pressure and visible damage are all things you (or we) can check well before test day. Bundling it into a routine service means nothing gets missed at the last minute. If your MOT or service is coming up, it's worth getting your tyres looked at as part of it rather than as...
Tyres × Wheel Alignment × Suspension × ADAS
🔧 Noticed uneven wear on one edge of a tyre? It's often not really about the tyre at all. It usually comes down to wheel alignment or worn suspension components — TyreSafe notes this can shorten a tyre's life by up to 25%. On newer cars it can affect more than tyres too: ADAS cameras and sensors are calibrated assuming your wheels sit at a precise angle, so alignment or suspension work can throw that calibration out as well. Left unchecked, it doesn't just cost you tyres — it increases braking...
Tyre Safety Month: Why Your Tyres Are Connected to More of Your Car Than You Think
Every October, the UK road safety charity TyreSafe runs Tyre Safety Month, a campaign to get drivers thinking about the only part of their car that actually touches the road. We've been joining in on our social channels. This article brings those posts together in one place, with a bit more depth. The main message is that your tyres don't work on their own. They're tied to your wheel alignment, your suspension, your car's driver-assistance systems and even its ABS sensors. A tyre that's...
🚗 October is Tyre Safety Month
🚗 October is Tyre Safety Month — a UK-wide campaign run by TyreSafe, and we're getting involved. The numbers are worth knowing: TyreSafe reports over 6 million tyres on UK roads currently have illegal tread, and tyre defects cause more than 2 million MOT failures every year. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm — but grip drops off well before you hit that limit, especially in the wet, where worn tyres can significantly increase your stopping distance. Three things worth checking this month:...
👋 Ever wondered who’s actually working on your car when you drop it off at Harborne Garage?
We're a small, family-run team based right here in Selly Oak — not a faceless chain. That means you'll usually speak to the same friendly faces each time, and we take the time to explain what your car actually needs (and what it doesn't). No jargon, no pressure — just honest advice from people who genuinely care about keeping you safe on the road. Pop in and say hello next time you're passing, or give us a call on 0121 472 4300 — we're always happy to help.
Cambelt, the silent killer
A cam-belt often doesn’t warn you before it fails. 😟 It just goes — and the repair bill that follows is one nobody wants. Staying ahead of the replacement schedule is one of the most cost-effective things you can do for your engine. Most manufacturers recommend changing the cam-belt at a set mileage or age (whichever comes first) — and leaving it too long can risk serious engine damage. And if your car has a wet cam-belt (a belt that runs inside the engine oil), it’s even more important to...
ADAS calibration isn’t optional if your safety systems are going to work when it counts.
Modern cars rely on cameras and radar sensors to run features like lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and parking sensors. The catch? Those systems only work properly when the sensors are aligned exactly to the manufacturer’s spec — and even small changes can throw them off. That’s why after things like a windscreen replacement, suspension/steering repairs, wheel alignment, or any knock that affects the front end, your vehicle may...
Warning Light On?
At Harborne Garage in Birmingham, we use advanced diagnostic equipment to get past guesswork. We plug into your vehicle’s onboard systems to read fault codes, then go further by checking live sensor data and running targeted tests to confirm the cause — not just the symptom. Because a warning light can be triggered by multiple issues, proper diagnostics help us pinpoint what’s actually wrong before any parts are replaced. That means: - You get a clear explanation of what the car is reporting -...
🚗 MOT due soon?
Quick tip to avoid the last-minute panic: get it booked in early, so you can pick a slot that suits you (and avoid the rush). ✅ Clear communication ✅ Quotes before any additional work ✅ Friendly, family-run team in Selly Oak Call Harborne Garage Ltd on 0121 472 4300 or book online: https://harbornegarage.co.uk
🔧 When was your last service?
Engine oil is the lifeblood of your car. If it's old or low, it can lead to extra wear, poor performance, and expensive problems down the line. A few signs you might be overdue: ⚠️ Noisy engine ⚠️ Rough running ⚠️ Warning light on the dash ⚠️ You can't remember the last service (we've all been there!) Want peace of mind? Give Harborne Garage Ltd a call on 0121 472 4300 or book online: https://harbornegarage.co.uk
Why the Correct Engine Oil Matters
Most drivers think of engine oil as one product with one job: keeping things moving smoothly. In reality, “engine oil” is a catch-all term for dozens of different formulations, each engineered to a precise viscosity and chemical specification for a specific engine design. Pour in the wrong one, and nothing dramatic happens straight away. There's no bang, no smoke, no dashboard light flashing “you've made a mistake.” The damage is slow, cumulative, and often invisible — until it isn't. At...
🛣️ STEERING & SUSPENSION: Smooth Ride, Safe Control
Your steering and suspension systems work together to keep you safe, comfortable, and in control. When they wear, you feel it – and so does your wallet. What they do: ✓ Steering lets you control your car with precision and confidence ✓ Suspension absorbs bumps and keeps your tyres in contact with the road ✓ Together, they affect handling, comfort, and safety in every condition Warning signs of wear: ✓ Clunking or knocking sounds from underneath ✓ Pulling to one side (often suspension or...
🚓🚒🚑 Emergency Services Day
Today we’re saying a huge THANK YOU to everyone in the emergency services who keeps Birmingham safe, day in and day out. If you ever find yourself stuck at the roadside, we can help with vehicle recovery and getting you safely to our workshop for diagnosis and repair. What we can help with: ✓ Recovery to Harborne Garage Ltd ✓ Quick diagnosis once you’re here ✓ Honest advice and clear pricing before any work starts 📞 Call Harborne Garage Ltd on 0121 472 4300 🌐...
Will Servicing at an Independent Garage Affect Your Manufacturer’s Warranty?
This is one of the most common questions we get, especially with newer cars. The good news: You still maintain your manufacturer's warranty when your vehicle is looked after by Harborne Garage! What we do to protect your warranty: ✅ Service work completed to the correct schedule ✅ Quality parts and the right oils/fluids for your vehicle ✅ Clear paperwork and service records ✅ Honest advice if something needs attention now vs later Whether you're thinking of buying a new car this September or...
🍂 September Safety Check
As the mornings get darker and the roads get wetter, it’s worth doing a quick check on the basics. ✅ Tyre pressure + tread ✅ Brake performance ✅ All lights working ✅ Windscreen wipers ✅ Fluid levels (screen wash + coolant) If anything doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. A small issue now can turn into an expensive one later. 📞 Harborne Garage Ltd | 0121 472 4300 🌐 https://harbornegarage.co.uk
🛑 Does Your Car Stop as Well as it Should?
A few quick questions: ✓ Does it stop in a straight line? ✓ Any squealing or grinding? ✓ Any vibrations through the pedal or steering wheel? If you answered “no” to any of these, it’s worth getting your brakes checked as soon as possible. Brakes are one of the most important safety systems on your car, and leaving it too long can lead to bigger (and more expensive) repairs. At Harborne Garage Ltd we’ll inspect your brakes properly and give you clear, honest advice before any work is done. 📞...
🚐 CLASS 7 MOT & MOTORHOMES: Keeping Your Adventure Safe
If you own a motorhome or Class 7 vehicle, you know they're more than just transport – they're your freedom on the road. But they also need specialist care. Class 7 vehicles and motorhomes have unique requirements: ✓ Heavier weight means more stress on brakes, suspension, and tyres ✓ Complex systems (living facilities, water, gas, electrics) need regular checks ✓ MOT requirements are stricter for larger vehicles ✓ Specialist knowledge is essential – not all garages can handle them properly...
☀️ Happy Bank Holiday from all of us at Harborne Garage Ltd!
We hope you have a great day, whether you're heading out on the road or taking it easy at home. If you need us this week for an MOT, Service, Tyres, Diagnostics or Repairs, we're here to help with honest advice and main-dealer-level expertise. Call 0121 472 4300