Mairs Auto Repairs

19/10/2026

A car can pass its MOT and still have problems developing beneath the surface.

An MOT checks key safety and roadworthiness items, but it isn’t a full mechanical health check. It doesn’t assess things like engine internals, the clutch, gearbox, timing belt, air conditioning or battery condition, so faults in these areas can go unnoticed.

That’s why regular servicing matters alongside your MOT. It helps us check the parts an MOT doesn’t cover and spot issues before they become bigger problems.

Need a service in Leven, Fife? Give Mairs Auto Repairs a call on 07864 580 795.

19/10/2026

A quick check now can help you avoid a frosty-morning surprise ❄️🚗

Before the cold weather settles in, take a moment to check the things that are easy to overlook:

🔋 Battery: Is it starting reliably?
🧊 Antifreeze: Is your coolant protection ready for colder temperatures?
🛞 Tyres: Check the tread and condition.
🌧️ Wipers: Are they clearing the screen properly?
💡 Lights: Make sure they’re all working and clean.

Not sure where to start? Mairs Auto Repairs is happy to carry out a winter safety check for local drivers in Leven, Fife and the surrounding areas.

Call us on 07864 580 795 to book.

19/10/2026

You’re driving home when the red oil-can warning appears: perhaps only at idle, or after a motorway run. Could it just be a sensor? It might be, but don’t guess.

The oil pressure light warns that the engine may not be getting enough oil pressure. That’s different from simply being low on oil. Driving with the light on can cause serious engine damage in minutes, so when it comes on, stop somewhere safe and switch the engine off. Don’t continue driving if it stays lit.

Causes can include low oil level, a leak that’s gradually drained it, old or overly thin oil, a worn oil pump, a blocked pick-up strainer or filter, or a faulty pressure switch or wiring giving a false warning.

At Mairs Auto Repairs in Leven and Colinsburgh MOT Centre, we can check the oil level and condition, then test the actual pressure with a gauge to find out whether there’s a genuine pressure problem or an electrical fault. We’ll explain what’s urgent, what can be monitored, and your options. Sensible pricing is agreed before work begins.

Call 07864 580 795 to book a check. If the red oil light is on now, switch off and arrange recovery rather than driving on.

19/10/2026

One MOT item that’s easy to overlook: your reversing lights. They’re not checked on every vehicle, but if fitted as original equipment, they need to work.

At MOT time, lamps are checked for presence and security where fitted, operation when reverse is selected, and the correct white light. A blown bulb or damaged lens may be flagged, and a lamp that doesn’t work may fail the test.

They’re useful beyond the test, too. On darker autumn evenings, reversing lights signal your manoeuvre to people nearby and help light the space behind you when parking.

Quick home check: with the handbrake on, ask someone to watch safely behind the car while you select reverse, or check the reflection in a garage door or window. If a light stays dark, it may just need a bulb.

Not sure which bulb you need? We’re happy to check. Colinsburgh MOT Centre, supported by Mairs Auto Repairs, tests all makes and models. With over 10 years’ experience, we offer quality workmanship, honest advice and clear, sensible pricing. We’ll keep you informed and explain your options from start to finish.

Serving Leven, Colinsburgh, Fife and surrounding areas. Book your MOT on 07864 580 795.

18/10/2026

Hearing a rattle from your engine on a cold start that fades as it warms up, or a noise when you rev? It’s worth getting checked.

Many modern engines use a timing chain rather than a belt. Over time, chains and tensioners can stretch or wear, especially with infrequent oil changes or a low oil level. Catching a problem early matters: if a chain jumps or snaps, it can cause serious internal engine damage.

At Mairs Auto Repairs, we’ll listen to the engine from a cold start and use diagnostic equipment to help identify the cause. It may be the chain, tensioner or guides, or something less serious, such as an auxiliary belt or pulley. We’ll explain your options honestly, including whether monitoring or repair is the right call, and agree sensible pricing before work begins.

With over 10 years’ experience, quality workmanship and attention to detail, Mairs Auto Repairs in Leven and Colinsburgh MOT Centre serve drivers across Leven, Colinsburgh, Fife and surrounding areas. We work on all makes and models.

Call 07864 580 795 to book a check.

18/10/2026

Is your car coming up to its first MOT? For most cars, the first test is due three years after the date of first registration. Some vehicles, including taxis, private hire vehicles and ambulances, need their first MOT after one year.

You can check your car’s exact MOT due date for free on GOV.UK. It’s a good idea to book ahead so your MOT certificate doesn’t run out. The test checks important safety items, and we’ll explain the results clearly and talk you through your options.

Colinsburgh MOT Centre, supported by Mairs Auto Repairs, offers MOT testing for all makes and models. With over 10 years’ experience, we take care with every vehicle and provide quality workmanship, honest advice and clear, sensible pricing. We’ll keep you informed from start to finish.

Serving Leven, Colinsburgh, Fife and surrounding areas. To book, call 07864 580 795.

GOV.UK - The best place to find government services and information.

17/10/2026

Good news for owners of older cars: a new MOT rule came into effect on 14 October 2026. Approved LED replacement (LEDr) bulbs can now pass in halogen headlamps on class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles. Motorcycles are not included.

There are important conditions: the LED bulb must be ECE-approved for the specific headlamp, and its manufacturer-issued, tamper-proof approval sticker must be permanently and visibly affixed to the vehicle. If the sticker is missing, illegible or tampered with, the headlamp will fail. Non-approved LED conversions are still prohibited and will fail the MOT.

This is brand new as of this week, and welcome news for drivers looking for better light without risking an MOT failure. Always check that the bulb is approved for your exact lamp.

Mairs Auto Repairs in Leven and Colinsburgh MOT Centre offer over 10 years’ experience, honest advice and clear pricing for all makes and models. Proud to serve Leven, Colinsburgh, Fife and surrounding areas. Call 07864 580 795 to book.

17/10/2026

Does your car idle roughly, use more fuel than usual, hesitate when pulling away or feel uneven, almost like it’s misfiring? A clogged or worn injector, dirty fuel or a leaking injector seal could be the cause, but it’s best not to guess.

At Mairs Auto Repairs, we’ll diagnose the fault to find out which injector or part of the fuel system needs attention. We’ll explain the options, whether cleaning or replacement is suitable, and agree the price with you before any work begins.

With over 10 years’ experience, we offer honest advice, clear and sensible pricing, and quality workmanship for all makes and models. Mairs Auto Repairs in Leven and Colinsburgh MOT Centre serve Leven, Colinsburgh, Fife and surrounding areas.

Need a hand? Call 07864 580 795.

17/10/2026

If a vehicle is declared off the road with a Statutory Off Road Notification, better known as SORN, it doesn't need an MOT or road tax for the time it's off the road. But it must stay off public roads. Driving a SORN vehicle on the road isn't allowed, and it still needs valid insurance whenever it's used or even kept on a public road.

Before bringing a SORN vehicle back into use, it needs to be taxed again and must have a valid MOT. That's worth planning ahead for, especially if the car has been sitting for a while. A flat battery, seized brakes, perished tyres or aged fluids are all common after time off the road, so a check before the MOT can save surprises on test day.

If your vehicle is coming back onto the road, or you'd like advice before booking, Colinsburgh MOT Centre, supported by Mairs Auto Repairs, is happy to help. We offer MOT testing for all makes and models, with over 10 years' experience, quality workmanship and careful attention to detail. We'll explain your options clearly, with honest advice and sensible pricing, and keep you informed from start to finish. Serving Leven, Colinsburgh, Fife and the surrounding areas.

To book, call 07864 580 795.

16/10/2026

A driver from the Leven area came in worried about a metallic rattle underneath the car. It had also started feeling sluggish, and the check-engine light was on with an emissions fault showing. They were concerned the catalytic converter might need replacing straight away.

We checked the fault properly before recommending any parts. A rattle, poor performance or an emissions warning can have more than one cause, so an honest diagnosis matters. We explained what we found and agreed the price before carrying out any work.

If your car has failed its MOT on emissions, is making an unusual noise underneath, or you’re worried the catalytic converter may be damaged or missing, Mairs Auto Repairs in Leven and Colinsburgh MOT Centre are here to help. Over 10 years’ experience, quality workmanship and clear advice for all makes and models.

Call 07864 580 795 to book or discuss what’s happening with your car.