Many car owners fancy themselves as auto technicians and there’s no doubt that with the right tools and expertise, it is possible to do some car repairs yourself such as replacing a battery, a bulb, coolant or even the engine oil.
But no matter how easy the YouTube tutorial makes it look or how tempting the idea of saving a few dollars may be, there are some crucial repairs that you should never do yourself.
Modern vehicles are complex, sophisticated and highly automated and the DIY route may compromise your vehicle’s safety and performance. The validity of your vehicle’s warranties and insurance may even be affected. Your DIY car repair may end up costing you a whole lot more than a trip to the garage and specialist attention is definitely the safest and most reliable option.
Even if you rate your skills or are trying to save money because budgets are tight, here are three car repairs you should NEVER do yourself.
Engine and transmission problems
If you needed heart surgery, you wouldn’t trust an amateur, right? The engine is the heart of your vehicle, so you should only ever get help from a professional mechanic when things aren’t working properly. The engine and the transmission are made up of hundreds of component parts – some of which are extremely costly – and it’s just not worth the risk of damaging any of these during a DIY repair.
Modern vehicles also have lots of sensors, computers, electrical wiring and connectors and if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, you may cause even more damage by tinkering with your engine.
Autobody repairs
No-one likes going to the panel beater, especially when it’s just for a small dent or scratches. But if you don’t have the right equipment and the specialist skills, a DIY paint or panel beating job will cost more in the long run. Amateur repairs can leave your car with bubbling paint, mismatched colours, bumps and lumps in the metal and exposed areas that will rust. Always trust a professional with your vehicle’s cosmetic work – it’ll pay off in the long-run.
Windscreen repairs
The windscreen is an important safety feature of your car and provides crucial protection in the event of an accident by absorbing the force of an impact. A windscreen replacement may seem like a simple enough job – and certainly the professionals make it look quick and easy – but if it isn’t installed correctly, you can end up with significant problems.
You may also be tempted to do a DIY job to repair a small chip or crack in your windscreen, but again, if this isn’t done properly, there can be severe consequences. These small blemishes are likely to spread, compromising the structural integrity of the frame and increasing the possibility of a shattered windscreen. They can also impair the driver’s ability to see clearly through the glass – and that’s a serious safety concern too.
A professional windscreen repair or replacement company will have all the right components, adhesives and trims as well as the necessary skills to get the job done properly. You should never drive with a cracked windscreen and it’s just not worth taking short-cuts in the hope of saving time and money because the consequences can be costly.
If your vehicle’s windscreen is damaged irreparably or you need a minor chip repaired in a hurry, give Windscreen Replacement Perth a call. They are highly experienced experts in windscreen replacement and windscreen repairs in Perth and have a mobile call-out unit so you can have your windscreen replaced or repaired anywhere, anytime. Make a booking through Autoscreens or give their friendly team a call on 040 0200 086.
Jason Squire started Autoscreens in 2010. With over 35 years of experience gained in both the UK and Australia, the company is well established as a leading provider of windscreen replacement and autoglass repairs in Perth.
His journey to becoming a certified repairer license holder status with DMIRS (and business repair license MRB3703) began many years ago. He was born and brought up in the UK – the country where his long career in the automotive industry began. In common with many of the world’s best tradespeople it all started with an apprenticeship. For Jason, this was in vehicle bodybuilding and a specialisation in vehicle conversions.
He followed that up with several additional professional qualifications, including a Grade A Vehicle Body Building Certificate from the Road Transport Industry, a GQA level 2 in NVQ Automotive Glazing and a Level 2 qualification in Joining Materials by Welding from the UK Engineer Training Authority.
During his studies, Jason was also a part-time volunteer in the Royals signals with the Reserve Territorial Army. Between 1991 and 1995, Jason completed his Phase One Signallers Course with the Royal Armoured Corps and was awarded a Certificate of Trade Proficiency as a Territorial Army Driver Electrician Class 3. Training exercises took him all over Europe. He also represented the Signals in Rugby.
From there, he joined the armed forces on a full-time basis with the Queens Royal Lancers and continued to impress with his leadership skills and willingness to broaden his skillset, during which he lived in Germany. In 1996, he graduated from the Queens Royal Lancer Leadership Academy where he was named best recruit. His time with the Queens Royal Lancers he qualified as Tank Driver, Crew Medic and Gunner.
In 1999, Jason left the armed forces to join RAC Auto Windscreens. His skillset enabled him to fast-track his career to base supervisor and lead technician working with premiere dealerships in Crewe, Cheshire.
He also continued to volunteer in a number of different areas, including as a first responder with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and a scout leader with the Scout Association.
He relocated to Australia in 2008 with his young family and spent his first two years down under as a head technician for a national windscreen company.
However, with all his experience, extensive qualifications and his abiding passion for the automotive industry, it was inevitable that he would start his own company and make his mark as an industry leader.
He started Autoscreens in 2010 and has grown the business into the leading windscreen repair and replacement company in Perth, servicing both domestic and commercial customers. Autoscreens has a certified Motor Vehicle Repairers Licence MRB3703 issued by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.