Your questions, answered straight
The questions customers actually ask us on the phone, answered the way we would answer them in the workshop.
If your question is not here, ring 01462 420999 and ask a technician. We would rather spend two minutes telling you it is nothing than sell you a repair you do not need.
MOT
Servicing
Diagnostics
Cost and honesty
Electric and hybrid
Frequently asked questions
How much is an MOT at JLR Autocare?
Our current MOT price is published on the car service prices page and is the same at Hitchin and Bedford. We are a DVSA-approved test station for Class 4 and Class 7 vehicles, and we do not charge to re-test within the DVSA free re-test period where the vehicle stays with us.
Can I drive my car if the MOT has run out?
Only to a pre-booked MOT appointment or to a garage for repairs. Otherwise it is an offence and your insurance may not cover you. Book the test and drive straight there.
What is the difference between an interim and a full service?
An interim service is every 6 months or 6,000 miles and covers oil, filter and a safety inspection. A full service is annual or every 12,000 miles and adds air, fuel and pollen filters, a fuller inspection and a longer list of checks. Which one your car needs depends on the manufacturer's schedule — tell us the registration and we will tell you which is due.
Will servicing with you affect my Jaguar or Land Rover warranty?
No. We service to the JLR schedule with the correct specification fluids and parts and record the service digitally where JLR uses a digital service record. Block Exemption Regulation 461/2010 protects your right to use an independent specialist.
My engine management light is on — is it safe to drive?
A steady light generally means drive carefully and get it read soon. A flashing light usually means stop driving, because unburnt fuel can destroy a catalytic converter within minutes. If it is flashing, call us before you drive it.
Why do you charge for diagnostics when other places read codes free?
A free code read tells you a number. Diagnosis tells you the cause. We charge for the technician's time to test live data, pressures, voltages and waveforms against the manufacturer's figures, so the part we replace is the part that has failed. That is usually cheaper than paying twice.
Do you charge extra for a Range Rover or a Jaguar?
Labour rate is the same. Specialist vehicles sometimes need longer for the same job because of how they are built, and genuine parts cost what they cost — both are shown on your quote before you agree to anything.
Will you tell me if a repair is not worth doing?
Yes. If a repair costs more than the car is sensibly worth, or a cheaper repair will do the job safely, we say so. We will also tell you what can safely wait and what cannot.
Do you have courtesy cars?
We have a small courtesy fleet, subject to availability, insurance and a licence check. Ask when you book and we will hold one if there is one free for your date.
Do you work on electric and hybrid vehicles?
Yes. Our technicians are EV and hybrid qualified and we hold 1000V-rated test equipment and the insulation testing kit required to work safely on high-voltage systems, including battery and charging diagnostics.
Can you service my EV without breaking the battery warranty?
Yes. Routine EV servicing — brakes, coolant, cabin filter, tyres, software-independent checks — does not touch the traction battery warranty. Where a job would fall under the manufacturer's battery warranty, we tell you so rather than opening it.
Where are you and what are your opening hours?
Hitchin: Unit 8-13 Wilbury Court, Wilbury Way, Hitchin SG4 0TW. Bedford: Souldrop. Both are open Monday to Friday 08:00-17:30 and Saturday 08:00-14:30, closed Sunday. Call 01462 420999.
Book your car in with JLR Autocare
29 Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 0TW. Call the workshop or book a slot online and we will confirm the price before any work starts.