WE’RE A FULL SERVICE WORKSHOP
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First established in 1982 as Smith's Service Centre - fast forward 38yrs and you have the same old school tradesman values but with all the high tech equipment that's required these days to diagnose your vehicle.

New owner Alex Boncea takes pride in holding the same high values that will see you and your
​vehicle right for many years to come.



​General service 
​more than just an oil change 
​FROM $229

​You rely on your vehicle to get you everywhere. You need it to run smoothly and run for a long time. If you’re not staying on top of these services, though, your car may not be getting the attention it needs to live its longest and most cost-efficient life!
Don't be fooled by workshops that offer you tiers of service - at Automotive Solutions we offer only one tier - the highest.  We don't have time to wipe your dashboard or vacuum out your vehicle because we are too busy servicing the things that actually matter! 
At Automotive Solutions Matamata our General Services are tailormade to your vehicle.  Our priority is to keep you safe on the road - therefore our mechanics will check things like your tyre condition and pressure, steering suspension, exterior lighting condition etc.  Your battery will be tested - and a good/bad result given.  One of the most vital checks to be done is on your air filter - why is an air filter important? I hear you say ... Well, just as humans need oxygen to breathe, a car needs oxygen for the combustion process - the air filter prevents any insects, dust or debris from reaching the engine and ensures a good mixture of air and fuel to support performance.
BUT the most important thing our mechanics will do is drain the old oil and replace it with new clean oil - allowing your engine to run efficiently.  Imagine having your Friday night fish and chips cooked in oil that has been used 365x previously - thats what your asking your car to 'eat' when it has dirty oil running through it clogging up its arteries!
Each car has different requirements as to when you should service it - but once a year or every 10k-15k is a good idea - check with us for exact km's.  
Did you know that even if you don't use your car very often or only go on short journeys your car should be given a service once a year - this is because the oil degrades and your rubber hoses and connections perish. 


​wof inspectionS 


The WoF inspection is a general safety check. The aspects checked are set out in the NZTA Vehicle inspection requirements and include:
  • tyre condition (including tread depth)
  • brake operation
  • structural condition - rust & corrosion checks
  • lights
  • glazing (is your windscreen safe?)
  • windscreen washers and wipers
  • doors (do they open and close safely?)
  • safety belts (must not be damaged or overly faded; buckles must work properly)
  • airbags (if fitted)
  • speedometer (must be working)
  • steering and suspension (must be safe and secure)
  • exhaust (there must be no leaks and the exhaust must not be smoky or louder than the original exhaust system)
  • fuel system (there must be no leaks).

If you’ve modified your car, motorcycle, van or other light vehicle you may need a low volume vehicle certificate. 

Please note that a WoF doesn’t include many areas of a vehicle's condition. For example it doesn't check:
  • engine, clutch, gearbox and differential condition
  • lubricant levels and condition 
  • brake pad thickness or life expectancy, unless they are visibly below safe limits 
  • paint work condition and some rust in non-structural areas.​​

PLEASE NOTE VEHICLES FIRST REGISTERED PRIOR TO 1st JANUARY 2000 REQUIRE 6 MONTHLY WOF CHECKS

pre-purchase inspections

A pre-purchase inspection is an absolute MUST.

​You should always conduct a mechanical inspection before you hand-over your thousands of hard-earned dollars, and it’s advisable not to do this yourself.

The point of the pre-purchase inspection is to confirm you’re not getting a dud. It’s to confirm the car is going to run, today and into the future. Our mechanic will investigate the engine, radiator, battery, exhaust, tyres and body. They’ll check for oil and coolant leaks, battery issues and poorly done modifications. You need an expert eye on this because even the shiniest car can come with hidden problems under the hood, and usually they’re expensive to fix.

Here’s what you should run your eye over before you ​test-drive a car. This is not a substitute a professional mechanical inspection and you should always seek expert advice.

Think of this list as early warning signs - a red flag. If any of these issues present themselves, skip the professional inspection and move on to the next car.
 
Oil indicators
Oil can tell you a lot about the engine, so check it. If you pull the dipstick out and the oil residue doesn’t reach the ‘full’ marker, or it looks thick and black, this is a sign that the car has not been maintained well. If you look under the oil cap and find gritty carbon deposits there too, you can be sure there has been some engine neglect.
 
Leaks
Look underneath the car. Look at the radiator. Look at the hoses. Are there any signs of leakage? Cracking? Corrosion? If the answer is yes, there’s a good chance you’ll run into some of those hidden problems we mentioned about. 
 
Smoke from the exhaust
Turn the car on. Have someone rev it a few times. Is there smoke from the exhaust? Can you smell anything in the smoke? Either would be bad. Usually, a smoky exhaust indicates an oil-burning engine, which tells you there is a problem to be found.
 
Once you have found the one you like - book in your pre purchase inspection with us.
​

WARNING LIGHT DIAGNOSTICS 

One of the scariest things that can happen when you start your car is a warning light starts flashing on your dashboard ... and sometimes it isn't evident what the problem is.  This is because modern vehicles have very complicated electrical systems which are controlled by modules/computers. Scan tools are very sophisticated electronic devices that connect to the diagnostic plug in your vehicle and allow access to any fault codes that may be stored by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in your vehicle. They allow our technician to easily check the operation of electronic sensors, components and wiring that are associated with those systems.

Diagnostic scan tools are one of the most important pieces of equipment in today's workshops and we have invested heavily in the latest diagnostic equipment so that we can find issues quickly and accurately.  

YOUR EXPERIENCE IS OUR GUARANTEE

automotive solutions matamata ltd

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