If you have just bought a car or even if you just want someone to give your existing car a once-over, there are many garages now offering a free visual inspection. If you call up one of these garages and explain to them that you want a free visual inspection they can often fit you in the same day. The car is put up on a ramp in the workshop and then the mechanic will check over it to find out any damage on the car. They sometimes will ask you over to have a look whilst it is on the ramp so you can see for yourself what needs doing.

This service is usually designed to check many components such as the brakes, suspension, tyres and sometimes the battery. Once the garage has given you a list of items that may need to be replaced they can provide you with a quote to do the work, but you are under no obligation to take it.

You may then have the opportunity to go away and price up the parts yourself or contact other garages to find out what they would charge to complete the work. This may end up saving you money and also will mean that you can pick up on potential problems before they happen.