Car diagnostic test, made easy
At £47Warning lights on your dashboard or strange noises coming from your car? Fixter is here to help.
A car diagnostic check involves using specialized tools and software to read a vehicle’s onboard computer, identifying faults or potential issues with components like the engine, transmission, brakes, and more. It’s a way to pinpoint issues without manual inspection.
We diagnose the issue and let you know the problem
Competitive pricing on the work that may need to be done
Original Equipment Manufacturer parts for the work that may need to be done
All parts and labour are protected with our Fixter 12-month warranty
We only use manufacturer parts or equivalent
A car diagnostic is a test performed by mechanics to work out why a car has issued a fault code. This usually means there's something wrong with the engine, the brakes, or another part of the vehicle.
Modern cars have an onboard computer or Engine Control Unit (ECU) which continually assesses the vehicle's performance. It does this with the aid of sensors throughout the car that let the ECU know of issues.
These issues could include a raised engine temperature, low fluid levels or problems with emission levels or the windscreen wipers. The ECU triggers an error once a problem has been found, and the relevant dashboard warning light will flash.
There are hundreds of potential error codes that can flag up from the ECU, and only a specialist diagnostic tool can read them. So, if a warning light has appeared on your dashboard, a diagnostics check will be needed to assess how bad the problem is, and what may have caused it.
A mechanic connects a diagnostic scanner to the car’s OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) port. The scanner reads error codes generated by the car’s systems, which help identify potential faults or parts requiring attention.
You should consider a diagnostic test if your “check engine” light is on, if you notice unusual sounds or smells, reduced performance, or as part of regular maintenance to catch potential issues early.
If you think you have an issue with your car, we can check out your engine diagnostics at your earliest convenience and put the problem right. Just enter your vehicle registration and postcode to book a car diagnostics test near you through our online service.
At Fixter, a car diagnostic is a fixed fee of £47.
Diagnostics can detect a wide range of issues, including problems with the engine, transmission, exhaust, fuel injectors, ignition, brakes, and emissions. It’s particularly useful for spotting electronic and sensor-related issues.
A standard diagnostic test usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour. However, if further investigation or additional tests are required, it may take longer.
Drivers can use vehicle warnings and check engine lights to identify part of the problem, but oftentimes, more work needs to be done to get to the bottom of why a fault code has appeared.
When using engine lights to identify issues issues isn't enough, you're probably going to need to see a mechanic who can use diagnostic test equipment to help get to the bottom of the issue. There are hundreds of parts in your engine, so the exact nature of the fault may not be immediately apparent.
While a check engine light is a clear indicator, some issues may not trigger it. A diagnostic test is useful as a preventive measure to identify potential problems before they escalate, especially during routine maintenance.
We charge a fixed fee for diagnostic testing that can be done while you wait. This is usually done within an hour, but if further work is required, it will clearly take more time. Our highly-trained and qualified mechanics will give you a no-charge, no-obligation repair quote if testing highlights issues with the engine or anything else, and talk you in detail through what is needed to put things right.
So next time a dashboard warning light flashes on, don’t pay dealership prices for diagnostic testing. Let us manage it all for you, picking up your car for its testing, and ensuring a fair price and a reliable service.
Our live data shows multiple readings from across the engine to assess whether everything is working as it should. The equipment can also check and rectify braking systems where there’s an electronic handbrake, and adjust headlights where possible. You don’t need to go to a dealership to get diagnostic checking done.
Our mechanics will use test equipment to help troubleshoot system warnings and check the fault codes to get to the bottom of the problem.
A diagnostic check accurately identifies the fault, avoiding more serious problems that could lead to costly repairs, potential safety hazards or worse damage.
With these tests, your car is plugged into sophisticated diagnostic equipment which reads the error codes your car’s ECU has generated to explain the issue in full. Diagnostic checking looks for errors across various vehicle systems, including the following:
Tyres
Engine management
Lights
Emissions
Fluids and oil
Brakes
Heating
Other electrics (ie. air con)
The warning light is just the beginning—it doesn’t give the whole picture. There are hundreds of parts in your engine, so the exact nature of the fault may not be immediately apparent.
A diagnostic check accurately identifies the fault, avoiding more serious problems that could lead to costly repairs, potential safety hazards or worse damage. With these tests, your car is plugged into sophisticated diagnostic equipment which reads the error codes your car’s ECU has generated to explain the issue in full. Diagnostic checking looks for errors across various vehicle systems, including tyres, engine management, lights, emissions and more.
