Car Diagnostics in Ashford, TW15
Is your engine warning light on? Dashboard showing a fault you can't explain? At Salek Tyre & Mechanic on Feltham Road, Ashford, we use professional OBD scanning equipment to read your car's fault codes and give you a plain-English report — from £45, with a fixed price for any repair before we start work.
What is a car diagnostic scan?
Modern vehicles monitor dozens of systems — engine, gearbox, ABS, airbags, emissions and more — using electronic control units (ECUs) that store fault codes when something is wrong. An OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) scan reads these codes directly from your car's computer, allowing us to pinpoint exactly which system has flagged a fault and why.
Without a diagnostic scan, identifying the cause of a warning light is guesswork. With it, we know exactly where to look — saving you time and money.
Common warning lights we diagnose
- Engine management light (check engine light) — the most common. Can be triggered by anything from a loose fuel cap to a faulty sensor or misfiring cylinder.
- ABS warning light — indicates a fault in the anti-lock braking system. Usually a wheel speed sensor, but could be the ABS module itself.
- Airbag / SRS warning light — a fault in the supplemental restraint system. The airbags may not deploy correctly in an accident when this light is on.
- DPF warning light — diesel particulate filter warning. Common on diesel vehicles with lots of short journeys. Often fixable with a forced regeneration.
- Oil pressure warning light — potentially serious. Stop the engine if this comes on while driving.
- Battery / charging warning light — may indicate a failing alternator or battery issue.
- TPMS (tyre pressure) warning — low tyre pressure or a faulty pressure sensor.
- Gearbox warning light — transmission fault. May cause limp-home mode on automatic vehicles.
Not sure what your warning light means? Call us on 07341 216705 and describe what you're seeing. We'll advise whether it's safe to drive to the garage or whether we should come to you.
What happens during a diagnostic check
The process is straightforward and usually takes 30–45 minutes:
- We connect our professional diagnostic tool to your car's OBD port (usually found under the dashboard, driver's side).
- The scanner reads all stored and pending fault codes from every ECU in the vehicle.
- We review the codes, carry out any additional checks needed to confirm the fault, and explain the findings to you in plain English.
- We give you a written report of all codes found and a fixed price quote for any repair needed.
- You decide whether to go ahead — no pressure, no obligation.
Diagnostic pricing in Ashford
- OBD diagnostic scan: from £45 — includes full fault code report
- If you book a repair on the same visit, we'll discuss the diagnostic fee as part of your overall quote
- All repair prices are quoted and agreed before any work starts
Call 07341 216705 or use our online booking form to arrange your diagnostic check.
Can I drive with the engine warning light on?
A steady engine warning light usually means you can drive carefully to a garage, but it should not be ignored or left for weeks. A flashing engine light is more urgent — it typically means an active misfire is occurring, which can damage your catalytic converter if you keep driving. In that case, reduce speed, avoid high revs, and get to us as quickly as possible.
If any light is accompanied by unusual noise, smoke, loss of power, or the oil pressure warning light, stop driving immediately and call us.
Serving Ashford and the surrounding area
We're on Feltham Road in Ashford (TW15), easy to reach from Feltham (TW13 & TW14), Staines-upon-Thames, Sunbury-on-Thames, Stanwell, Bedfont, Hanworth and Shepperton. Just off the A30, close to the M25 Junction 13.
Frequently asked questions — car diagnostics
What does a car diagnostic check involve?
We connect a professional OBD scanner to your car's diagnostic port and read all fault codes from your car's computer. We explain every code in plain English and give you a fixed quote for any repair before we start. No jargon, no surprises.
Why is my engine warning light on?
It can be triggered by dozens of different faults — from a loose fuel cap to a faulty oxygen sensor, a misfiring cylinder, or a catalytic converter issue. The only way to know for certain is an OBD scan. We read the exact code your car has stored and tell you what it means.
Can I drive with the engine warning light on?
A steady light — usually safe to drive carefully to a garage. A flashing light — reduce speed immediately and get it checked urgently, as driving with a misfire can damage your catalytic converter. If in doubt, call us on 07341 216705.
How much does a diagnostic check cost?
Our diagnostic scan starts from £45, which includes the full OBD scan and a written fault code report. If you proceed with a repair on the same visit, we'll discuss the diagnostic fee as part of your overall quote. Call 07341 216705 for details.
Book a diagnostic check in Ashford
Don't guess at what your warning light means. A diagnostic scan takes under an hour and gives you a clear, honest answer.