Taxing your car, renewing your car insurance and booking an annual MOT, are just a few examples of the legal responsibilities you have to cover as a vehicle owner. Previously, car owners had to display dated paper tax discs as evidence that their car tax was up-to-date but this system was phased out in 2014 and replaced with an online payment system. The DVLA has an up-to-date database for monito...
Driving on the motorway is a must at some point for the majority of drivers, whether driving to go on holiday or just for the daily commute. This guide will explain what motorway reflective studs are and what they’re used for. What are reflective studs or cat’s eyes? Otherwise known as cat’s eyes, due to the way they reflect light, reflective studs on the motorway are small devices embedded in...
As the number of EVs in the UK continues to grow, there are more second-hand and high-mileage EVs on the market. Just as petrol and diesel cars experience wear on their tyres, so will the tyres on your EV. Can you buy conventional car tyres for your EV, or does it require tyres designed specifically for an electric vehicle? As there are so many makes and models of EVs on the market it can be conf...
Brake callipers are one of three essential components of a car’s braking system, alongside the brake pads and discs. If your brake callipers are faulty, they can compromise your brakes, affecting your car’s safety and ability to slow down. In our latest guide, we’ll explain how brake callipers work and the warning signs that they need replacing. How do brake callipers work? When you press the b...
Is your MOT due soon? In the UK, every vehicle is categorised into an MOT class. These classes make it easier for garages and autocentres to carry out MOTs, which ensures the correct checks are made for your vehicle. Merityre’s helpful guide will assist you with determining what MOT class your vehicle falls under and how that affects the price of your MOT test. MOT classes explained Are you uns...
New or used tyres? Buying replacement tyres is an essential part of running your vehicle. Tyres can cost you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds to replace. Making an informed decision when buying tyres is crucial for your car’s safety and performance. Here, our article answers whether you should buy used or new tyres for your vehicle. What are used tyres? Used tyres (also known as part-worn or...
Most new vehicles come fitted with airbags. First introduced in the 1950s, airbags have been a mandatory safety feature in all new UK cars being sold since 1998. These inflatable bags can be found in many areas of your car’s cabin, from the steering wheel and dashboard to the rear passenger seats. Here, our guide covers the ins and outs of car airbags and whether you can drive a car with a deploy...
An ‘ECU’ refers to the electronic control unit or an engine-specific ECU, like the engine control unit. The difference is that the electronic control units monitor many functions inside your vehicle. Most modern vehicles may have tens or hundreds of ECUs embedded in the car’s software. These mini computers can be linked to the brakes, power steering, air conditioning units, airbags and more. Howe...
Every year, our vehicles undergo an annual MOT test. Equipped with a paper certificate, we drive our cars out of the testing centre for another 12 months. What should we do with the paper MOT certificate? Do we need to keep it and can you drive without one? Merityre’s guide covers all you need to know about MOT certificates. What is an MOT certificate? An MOT certificate is a document which is p...
The suspension system is a crucial foundation of any vehicle, which affects how it brakes, steers and performs on the road. The suspension is interconnected with many parts of your vehicle, such as the tyres, brakes, springs and differentials. An issue with one or more parts of your suspension can impact your vehicle’s ride comfort and driving experience. Merityre’s guide covers essential tips fo...