Have your vehicle comprehensively inspected before winter - safety should be a priority.

Our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report is free with every service at Phil Smith Automotive in Mildura. Our qualified mechanics will visually check over the important components of your vehicle and provide you with a written report on the condition of your vehicle. We can then help you understand any concerns which may need to be attended so that you can drive safe this winter with Phil Smith Automotive and Repco Authorised Service.

Depending on where you live in Australia, there could be very different approaches to getting your car ready for winter driving; however the basics of safe winter motoring remain the same. So how can you make sure your car is ready for safe winter motoring? 

Avoid the painful moment when you switch on the wipers at the first drop of rain and realise they haven't been replaced in years! Your wipers are exposed to the full force of the Australian sun all year round and wear out. A good quality wiper blade like Trico is essential to help you see your way clear regardless of the weather. Phil Smith Automotive can recommend a wiper blade or assembly that is right for your car.

Fluids and other components in your car can be impacted by cold weather; including coolants - be sure it contains antifreeze for areas that can drop below 2c, oils become thicker in cold weather and don't flow well and items such as glow plugs in diesel vehicles. Having a regular service is essential - especially by a qualified mechanic who knows the right products and parts to keep your car in peak operating condition. We use high quality NGK glow plugs and Penrite oils and fluids that are designed for Australian conditions.  

Cold weather can have a significant impact on your battery’s performance. Lower temperatures slow down the chemical reactions within the battery, reducing its ability to deliver power. Phil Smith Automotive understands these challenges and provides tailored advice and services to ensure your battery is ready to perform in colder conditions. Drop in for a Free Battery Test.

Conditions change - and your driving style should too. If visibility is poor or the weather is wet - slow down and leave a larger than normal stopping distance between yourself and the vehicle in front. Use your heater to demist windows. Perhaps even wait until a squall has passed before driving on. Drive on the safe side and book in today for a service or a 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report.

There are signs that your brakes need to be checked, like vibrating, spongy or slow responding brake pedal, strange sounds or difficult handling when applying pressure to your brakes. If you are experiencing any of these you should get it checked out by a qualified expert. Brake inspections form part of our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report, so if you have concerns call us today and book in.

Driving on incorrectly inflated tyres won't just cost you money on additional fuel; it can also impact your ability to brake effectively. You can usually find manufacturers recommendations on a panel inside the driver side door.

Driving on worn tyres is dangerous. Now is the time to take a good look at your tyres. If you spot uneven tyre wear, this could indicate that your shock absorbers or some other vital part of your steering and suspension systems are due for service or replacement. Find out more about the components that affect your tyre wear on the links below: 

Before Winter or heading off on a long journey, it’s wise to check your overall vehicle performance. Phil Smith Automotive offers comprehensive safety inspections, ensuring your car is in top condition for local and extended travel. This proactive step reduces the risk of breakdowns and ensures peace of mind for both drivers and passengers.

Phil Smith Automotive want you to Drive Safe this Winter. Book in your Vehicle Safety Inspection Today.

Winter Car Maintenance Tips

As a Licensed Vehicle Tester Phil Smith Automotive in Mildura are able to to issue Certificates of Roadworthiness and can also perform RACV Pre-purchase Inspections where required. Bring your car in to our well equipped workshop or Book a Roadworthy Inspection Online today.

A Licensed Vehicle Tester must check that your vehicle meets the standards set out under Regulation 220 by the Roads Corporation, or VicRoads, prior to a Certificate of Roadworthiness being issued. Occasionally a Certificate of Roadworthiness is also needed before you can have a defect notice removed from a vehicle or it may be required as part of a required inspection for vehicles such as taxis and buses (which must undergo regular, periodic mandatory Inspections).

A roadworthy inspection is not a pre-purchase inspection and does not take into account the overall condition or mechanical reliability of the vehicle. Where a pre purchase inspection giving comprehensive details of the general condition or value of the vehicle is desired, you should consider arranging for a separate independent pre-purchase inspection.

It is also important to note that a Certificate of Roadworthiness does not constitute a complete assessment of a vehicle's compliance with the Standards for Registration. These standards are generally governed by the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and are often beyond the scope of a Roadworthy Inspection.The ADRs are a set of minimum standards for the construction of vehicles and trailers. A Roadworthy Inspection may not cover all of these standards as in most cases, compliance with them cannot be assessed by inspection alone.

Neither the workshop conducting the roadworthy inspection, nor the Licensed Vehicle Tester performing the actual examination of the vehicle are responsible for setting the standards a vehicle must meet to be issued a Certificate of Roadworthiness. These standards are clearly defined by VicRoads, the licensed vehicle tester merely confirms whether the vehicle meets the standards as specified.

Certificates of Roadworthiness are required before you can sell a car, have a defect notice removed from a vehicle or may be required as part of a periodic mandatory Inspection...

RWC Roadworthy Certificates in Mildura, VIC

Phil Smith Automotive are the right choice for new car service in Mildura whilst retaining your statutory warranty. 

You always have the choice of where your vehicle is serviced, maintained and repaired, at competitive prices, without voiding either the manufacturers warranty or your rights under the Consumer Guarantee.

You do not have to take the car back to the dealership who sold it to you for service or repairs. Provided the work is overseen to the manufacturers specifications by a suitably skilled person and uses quality parts and fluids, the warranty stands. 

With Repco Authorised Service you can tick all the boxes. Every Phil Smith Automotive mechanic is fully qualified and Auto-Tech trained, giving them access to Australia's leading provider of automotive technical information and training. This means Phil Smith Automotive mechanics are kept fully up to date with the latest in automotive service techniques and are able to service your new car without voiding the warranty.

Repco branded parts & products are manufactured to stringent Repco quality standards, and are covered by the Repco Nationwide Warranty, giving you added protection. Phil Smith Automotive will also only ever use fluids and lubricants that meet the specifications of the original car manufacturer.

If you already own a new car or are thinking of purchasing one, make sure you clearly understand where your statutory rights begin and end

Make sure you are aware of the differences between manufacturer, statutory and extended warranties to avoid making the wrong selection when it comes to servicing your new car. You are automatically covered by a statutory warranty, also known as a Consumer Guarantee, under Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and this statutory protection can never be superseded by manufacturer or express warranties (which are offered by the car maker and car dealer respectively).

A lack of disclosure requirements on car dealers at the point of sale regarding these contracts can easily lead the consumer into making a choice to be bound by a long term contract without access to all of the details needed to make a properly informed decision.

So when purchasing a new vehicle, be on guard for new car dealers who may try to include “express” or “extended” warranties, often for free. As a general rule these ‘extra' warranties may include quite comprehensive restrictions or provisions, and are not always what they are cracked up to be. Many times these promises provide no real additional benefits not already given by the consumer's basic statutory rights and can tie the unwary buyer into a long term agreement with the dealership that sold the car.

Such promises are very unlikely to focus on the potential negative aspects involved with taking a new car back to the dealer for service or repair. This includes how far you will need to go to get your car serviced or longer waiting times due to fewer available service locations or mechanics.

Check out our frequently asked questions below for more information on New Car Service and warranties. If you need to know more, the AAAA website and ACCC website have some great information too.

New Car Service Frequently asked questions

Did you know that you get to choose where your vehicle is serviced, maintained and repaired, at competitive prices. Phil Smith Automotive can service your new car using quality parts and fluids, preserving your warranty…

New Car Servicing in Mildura

Phil Smith Automotive in Mildura is a licensed roadworthy inspection station and can issue roadworthy certificates for vehicles that pass the roadworthy  assessment test.  				

A roadworthy inspection includes checking:

A roadworthy inspection is not a comprehensive full vehicle inspection. Talk to us today about the different types of inspections available at Phil Smith Automotive and which one will best suit your needs. 

Book a roadworthy inspection at Phil Smith Automotive today.

Roadworthy Inspections in Mildura

Roadworthy Inspections

AAFRB

VACC

Phil Smith Automotive take great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times. 

Conveniently located in Mildura, the business is a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring their technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. 

Phil Smith Automotive have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, they have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care.

Phil Smith Automotive

Roadworthy Inspections

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