Is DIY Car Repairing Dead

3rd May 2026/in All Car Repair Articles/by Eric Roberts

Is DIY Car Repairing Dead

Is DIY Car Repairing Dead? – A Halifax Garage Owner’s Honest View

After more than 45 years in the motor trade here in Halifax, I’ve seen a big shift in how people look after their cars.

Years ago, it was quite normal for motorists to do a bit of DIY car repair on the driveway.

You’d often see:

Bonnet up on a Sunday morning
Tools laid out
A bit of tinkering going on

But these days, things are very different.

🔧 The Good Old Days of DIY Repairs

Back in the day, cars were much simpler.

You could:

Change brake pads
Adjust a handbrake
Replace a battery or spark plugs

👉 And most jobs didn’t need specialist tools

A lot of drivers were confident enough to have a go themselves.

⚙️ Modern Cars Have Changed Everything

Fast forward to today, and cars are far more complex.

Modern vehicles now include the following:

Computer systems
Sensors and electronics
Engine management systems
Safety features linked to braking and steering

👉 This has made DIY repairs much more difficult

🧠 Diagnostics Are Now Essential: Is DIY Car Repairing Dead

One of the biggest changes is diagnostics.

In many cases:

A warning light comes on
The problem isn’t obvious
A diagnostic machine is needed to identify the fault

👉 Without the right equipment, it’s almost impossible to know where to start

⚠️ Safety Has Become a Big Factor

Another important point is safety.

Jobs like:

Brake repairs
Suspension work
Steering components

👉 These are critical to vehicle safety

Getting it wrong can have serious consequences.

🔧 Even Simple Jobs Aren’t So Simple: Is DIY Car Repairing Dead

What used to be straightforward is now more involved.

For example:

Battery replacement can require system resets
Brake jobs may involve electronic handbrakes
Even changing bulbs can mean removing panels

👉 It’s no longer just a quick job on the driveway

⛰️ Local Driving Conditions Add Wear

Driving around Calderdale puts extra strain on vehicles.

Hills
Stop-start traffic
Wet conditions

👉 All of these increase wear on key components

Which means repairs need to be done properly.

👍 Is DIY Completely Dead?

Not entirely 👍

There are still some jobs people can do themselves:

Checking tyre pressures
Topping up fluids
Replacing wiper blades
Basic maintenance

👉 But full repairs are becoming less practical for most drivers

💷 When DIY Can Cost More

We do sometimes see cases where a DIY attempt has gone wrong.

This can lead to:

Additional damage
Higher repair costs
More time spent fixing the issue

👉 In some cases, it ends up costing more than if it had been done professionally in the first place

🧠 The Honest Answer: Is DIY Car Repairing Dead

So, is DIY car repairing dead?

👉 Not completely
👉 But it’s certainly declining

Modern cars require:

Specialist tools
Technical knowledge
Proper diagnostics

👍 Final Thoughts

From my experience, the best approach today is a mix:

👉 Do the simple things yourself
👉 Leave the more complex jobs to professionals

At Pellon Tyre and Autocentre, we’re always happy to help and give honest advice.

And as always…

👉 Let’s get the kettle on and sort it properly 👍

👉 Book Your Vehicle Check in Halifax

If you’re unsure about a repair or need something checked, you can book online here:

👉 https://www.pellontyres.co.uk/

WIPER BLADES – Things of the Past?

29th April 2026/in All Car Repair Articles/by Eric Roberts

Wiper Blade Replacement in Halifax – Stay Safe and See Clearly

At Pellon Tyre and Autocentre, we often remind customers that something as simple as wiper blades can make a big difference to safety on the road.

It’s one of those jobs that many drivers overlook, but when the weather turns — especially in places like Halifax — good visibility is essential.

🌧️ Why Wiper Blades Matter

Living and driving around Calderdale, we see plenty of:

Rain
Road spray
Winter grime

Worn or poor-quality wiper blades can lead to:

Smearing
Streaking
Reduced visibility

👉 And that can quickly become dangerous

🔧 Fitting New Blades

Replacing wiper blades is usually straightforward.

Most systems use a simple locking mechanism that attaches the blade to the wiper arm.

The process is generally the following:

Release the locking clip
Remove the old blade
Clip the new blade into place
Secure it properly

👉 It’s a quick job, but it’s important to make sure the new blade is firmly fitted

👍 Always Test Your Wipers

One thing we always recommend:

👉 Test your wipers before you actually need them

You can do this by:

Spraying water on the windscreen
Using a hose or visiting a car wash
Switching the wipers on

If everything clears properly with no streaks, you’re good to go 👍

⚠️ Don’t Forget – Wipers Can Fail an MOT

Many drivers don’t realise this:

👉 Worn or damaged wiper blades can cause an MOT failure

If the blades:

Don’t clear the screen properly
Are split or damaged

Then they won’t pass the test.

💷 Are Modern Wipers Expensive?

Modern flat wiper blades (also called aero blades) can be more expensive than older types.

However:

They last longer
They perform better in heavy rain
They are quieter and more efficient

For drivers facing typical Yorkshire weather, they’re often worth the investment.

🧠 A Look to the Future

It’s interesting to think how things might change in the future.

Some aircraft already use advanced systems like ultrasonic transducers to help keep surfaces clear of water, snow, and debris.

In theory, similar systems could one day be used on cars, removing the need for traditional wiper blades altogether.

This could:

Improve aerodynamics
Reduce drag
Increase fuel efficiency

But for now, good-quality wiper blades remain essential.

🚗 A Simple Safety Reminder

I once knew someone who would leave switching the wipers on until the last possible moment — not ideal, especially in poor weather.

👉 Good visibility should never be left to chance

Whether it’s rain, road spray, or winter grime, your wipers need to be ready to do their job instantly.

🏁 A Bit of History – Who Invented Wipers?

Wiper blades have an interesting history.

They were first invented in 1903 by Mary Anderson, an American woman who noticed drivers struggling to see in wet weather.

Early systems were:

Manual
Operated by a lever inside the car

By 1916, wipers became standard on cars in the USA.

Shortly after, Charlotte Bridgwood developed one of the first electric automatic wiper systems, known as the “Storm Windscreen Cleaner”.

👍 Keep Your Vision Clear

At the end of the day, wiper blades are a small but vital part of your vehicle.

Regular checks and timely replacement can:

Improve safety
Prevent MOT failures
Make driving more comfortable

👉 Book Your Vehicle Check in Halifax

If you’re unsure about your wipers or any other part of your vehicle, we’re always happy to help.

You can also book services online here:
👉 https://www.pellontyres.co.uk/

At Pellon Tyre and Autocentre, we’re here to keep you safe on the road all year round.

The Mclaren super car maker to end the wiper blade.

Rumours are rife that the McLaren car maker is considering introducing this type of technology into their new models. It would be great to see if this idea works, but not if you are a wiper blade manufacturer.

Cabin filters Not Changed

15th December 2025/0 Comments/in All Car Servicing/by Eric Roberts

Cabin filters Not Changed

Taking a Deep Breath: The Advantages of Regularly Changing and Servicing the Air Cabin Filter in Your Vehicle

The air cabin filter in your vehicle is an essential component in the process of preserving the integrity of the air inside the vehicle. Altering and maintaining this filter on a regular basis brings a number of benefits, not only to your health but also to the functioning of your vehicle.

Improved Air Quality

The air cabin filter’s primary job is to remove pollutants, allergens, and other potentially hazardous particles from the air that is drawn into your vehicle. This results in improved air quality. Changing this filter on a consistent basis helps to maintain the air quality inside your vehicle, which contributes to the driver’s and passengers’ comfort as well as their overall health. To put it simply, it functions as the initial line of defence for your vehicle against airborne pollutants.

Reduction of Unpleasant Odors:

An air cabin filter that is kept clean can also help with the reduction of unpleasant odours inside your vehicle. The filter eliminates contaminants that can lead to unpleasant odours, ensuring that your cabin maintains its pleasant aroma. Therefore, if you want your car to smell better, all it takes is a moment to switch out the air filter.

Improved Performance of Your Heating, Cabin filters Not Changed

Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System A clogged air cabin filter can have a negative impact on the performance of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. It can reduce the amount of airflow, making your air conditioner work harder, lowering its efficiency, and increasing the risk of needing expensive repairs. Altering the filters in the HVAC system at regular intervals ensures its continued efficiency.

Defogging Effectiveness: Keeping your car’s air cabin filter clean and in good working order can help the windscreen of your vehicle defog more quickly. Because the moisture level in your vehicle is better managed thanks to the filter, your windows and windscreen will defog more quickly, which is an important factor in maintaining safe driving conditions in certain weather conditions.

Believe it or not, the fuel efficiency of your vehicle can actually be improved by maintaining a clean air cabin filter and having it inspected regularly. When your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are running smoothly, it puts less strain on your vehicle’s engine, which in turn can lead to better gas mileage.

Money Savings:

Performing routine maintenance on your filters can help you avoid more expensive problems in the future. A clogged filter can result in expensive repairs for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that is failing. Changing the filter in the air cabin is a relatively minor expense in comparison.

Lengthened Lifespan of the HVAC System Changing the filter in your car’s HVAC system on a regular basis can lengthen its lifespan. By putting less stress on the system, you are helping to extend its overall lifespan, which will save you money in the long run by preventing the need for premature replacement.

In conclusion, the significance of regularly servicing and replacing the air cabin filter in your vehicle cannot be overemphasised enough. This straightforward preventative maintenance task boosts the quality of the air, improves the performance of the vehicle, and may even end up saving you money in the long run. Any person who owns a car could stand to benefit significantly from performing this simple task.

Keep in mind that the air cabin filter in your vehicle is more than just a part of the vehicle; it plays an essential role in both the quality of your driving experience and the overall health of your vehicle. With a properly maintained air cabin filter, you can not only breathe easier but also drive more comfortably.

So, this image tells a story. This is a cabin filter that should be changed on most models of cars. Of course, they have not changed!

Cabin filters are very important. Importantly, they filter out all sorts of nasties from entering your car’s cabin. Demons like pollen and other invisible irritants make many people feel really ill! Hay fever is the enemy that comes to mind.

However, there are many other little monsters that can get into the car cabin area. Dust particles from all sorts of pollutants enter the cabin when the filter is removed or not changed when required.

Should it be changed at the correct servicing interval? Cabin filters Not Changed

So, these filters are part of most vehicles big service. However, they are often overlooked and not changed by many service centres. Here at the independent garage, Pellon Autocentre, we save the old service parts and physically show our customers the dirty parts. In my opinion, this is the best practise. including the old air filters and oil filters.

Corteco has highlighted the importance of regular cabin filter replacement. Cabin air filters work to block out pollutants and irritants emitted by other vehicles on the road. Throughout the colder months, filters work to demist the windows, what happens if there is no cabin air filter, Never change cabin air filter. Cabin filters Not Changed.

Source: Cabin filters are too often forgotten, Corteco says – Garagewire

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