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Our Blog
News, car care tips, and motoring advice from our team.
14 October 2026
Shaw’s Service Station Named Garage of the Year at the Inaugural Fleet Guy Awards
Shaw’s has been recognised as the best fleet-focused garage in the country at the first Fleet Guy LIVE event in Birmingham — the award sponsored by Novuna Vehicle Solutions.
Read more6 October 2026
A Winter Car Check at Shaw’s — What We Inspect Before the Cold Arrives
Cold weather, wet roads and reduced visibility make several parts of your car more relevant than they are in summer. Here is what Shaw’s covers in a winter vehicle inspection.
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3 October 2026
Renault Zoe Won’t Charge? How We Found the Fault Without Guessing
A Renault Zoe arrived at our Rhyl workshop unable to charge. We worked through the high voltage system step by step until the testing pointed us to the fault.
1 October 2026
Another BT Van In for Urgent Repair
When a fleet vehicle is off the road, quick assessment, clear communication and getting it back to work all matter
29 September 2026
Shaw’s Recognised in Three Industry Awards
A finalist place at The Blend Awards and two Fleet Guy Award nominations make for a pretty good October.
24 September 2026
TPMS Light On? Why We Don’t Just Replace the Sensor
A low tyre, air leak, incorrect sensor and communication fault can all cause a TPMS warning. Here are some real examples from our workshop.
1 September 2026
DPF Warning Light On? Why We Don’t Just Force a Regeneration
A blocked DPF can be the result of another problem. We assess what is happening before recommending cleaning, regeneration or repair.
1 August 2026
Wheel Alignment: Why We Measure Before We Adjust
Uneven tyre wear, pulling or an off centre steering wheel can all point towards alignment. Our Hunter system lets us measure all four wheels properly before making adjustments.
1 July 2026
What Is a Digital Service Record and Why Does It Matter?
Many modern vehicles no longer rely on a stamped service book. Recording the service properly is part of doing the job properly.
1 June 2026
Need the Repair Done but Want to Spread the Cost?
Payment Assist gives eligible Shaw’s customers another way to pay for servicing, tyres and repairs without changing how we recommend work.
22 May 2026
Minor, Interim or Full Service — What Is Actually Included in Each?
The terms “service” and “full service” are used inconsistently across the industry. Here is what Shaw’s includes at each level and what to ask about before you book.
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1 May 2026
Ford 1.0 EcoBoost Oil Warning Light: What We Found When We Dropped the Sump
An oil warning brought this Ford 1.0 EcoBoost into our Rhyl workshop. When we dropped the sump, we found what had been building up inside it.
8 April 2026
Inside the High-Voltage Components of an Electric Vehicle — What Shaw’s Inspects at Our Rhyl Workshop
Orange cables mean high voltage. Here is what Shaw’s trained technicians look for when working on EV and hybrid power electronics, and why the work cannot be done without specialist equipment.
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1 April 2026
Why Does My Car Air Con Smell? What We See in the Workshop
That musty hit when you switch the air con on is almost always bacteria and mould sitting on the evaporator. Here is what we find when we look, and what we do about it.
1 March 2026
AdBlue Warning Light On? What It Means and What We Check First
An AdBlue warning light does not always mean you just need a top-up. Here is what the SCR system does, what can actually go wrong, and why we investigate before recommending anything.
1 February 2026
What a Worn Clutch Looks Like — And What Else We Found When We Replaced It
Clutch wear happens gradually, and the warning signs are easy to dismiss until the clutch stops working. These are real photographs from a recent clutch replacement at our workshop — including something we found once the gearbox was out.
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1 January 2026
Brake Disc Scoring: How Do You Know When They're Past It?
Surface rust on a brake disc looks alarming but clears within a few brake applications. Deep grooves and a raised wear lip are something different. Here is what severely worn brakes actually look like, from our own workshop.
1 December 2025
Can a Tyre Puncture Be Repaired? What We Check Before We Say Yes
A screw in your tyre does not automatically mean a new tyre. But it does not automatically mean a £30 repair either. Here is what actually determines whether a repair is safe and legal.
1 November 2025
Why We Don't Just Read the Codes — What an Oscilloscope Shows That a Scanner Can't
A fault code records that a system detected a problem. It does not identify what caused it. Here is how oscilloscope analysis gives Shaw's more information than code reading alone.
1 November 2025
Runner Up at Top Garage 2025: Shaw's in the National Finals
Top Garage is one of the most rigorous independent garage competitions in the UK. Shaw's reached the national finals in the Multi Site category, competed against some of the country's most well-established garage groups, and placed in the top two.
1 September 2025
What We Found on a Routine Suspension Check — And Why It Needed to Come Off the Road
A cracked control arm is not a wear item. It is a structural failure in the suspension. Here is what it looked like, why it gets missed, and why catching it mattered.
1 September 2025
Commercial Vehicle and Van Servicing at Shaw’s — Fleet and Trade Vehicles Welcome at Both Branches
From routine servicing to Class 7 MOT testing, Shaw’s keeps commercial vehicles and vans on the road — properly maintained, clearly explained, at both branches.
1 August 2025
Air Con Not Cold? The Difference Between a Regas and a Leak
Topping up refrigerant in a leaking system does not fix the problem. Here is how Shaw's checks for a leak before adding gas — and what the different outcomes mean.
1 August 2025
Brake Fluid — When to Change It and What Moisture Does to Your Braking System
Brake fluid is hygroscopic — it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere over time. Here is why that matters, how Shaw’s tests it, and what the DOT rating on the bottle actually means.
Read more1 June 2025
Summer, Winter and All-Season Tyres — What Shaw’s Recommends for North Wales Drivers
The tyre type question has become more relevant as all-season products have improved. Here is how the three categories differ and what makes sense for the North Wales climate.
Read more1 May 2025
What an Electric or Hybrid Vehicle Still Needs Servicing — The Maintenance Schedule People Miss
An EV has no engine oil, no cambelt and no exhaust. But it still has brakes, tyres, coolant, suspension, a 12V battery and a cabin filter. Here is what the service schedule actually looks like.
Read more1 April 2025
Dashboard Warning Lights — The Most Common Ones and What to Do When They Come On
A warning light on the dashboard can mean anything from a loose fuel cap to an engine that should not be driven further. Here is what the most common lights mean and how urgently to respond.
Read more28 March 2025
When the Fault Isn’t Where the Code Points — How We Diagnose Wiring and Electrical Problems
Fault codes identify which circuit has reported a problem. They do not identify where in that circuit the fault lies. Here is how Shaw’s investigates wiring faults beyond the part the code names.
Read more1 January 2025
What It’s Actually Like When You Bring Your Car to Shaw’s — From Drop-Off to Driving Away
Some garages hand you a bill and a vague explanation. Here is how Shaw’s actually works — what happens at each stage and how we keep you informed throughout.
Read more20 December 2024
Battery, Starter and Alternator Testing — What Current Draw Analysis Actually Shows
Slow cranking, a car that won’t start on a cold morning, a warning light after a jump start — these symptoms need testing, not guessing.
Read more1 November 2024
How to Read Your MOT Certificate — What Pass, Fail, Major, Minor and Advisory Mean
The MOT test result format changed in 2018. Not everything on the certificate means the car cannot be driven, and not all advisories require immediate action. Here is what each category means.
Read more8 October 2024
How Often Should You Service Your Car — The Real Answer for North Wales Drivers
Fixed intervals, variable intervals, manufacturer schedules and what they actually mean in practice. Here is how Shaw’s thinks about service timing and what it recommends.
Read more1 October 2024
Air Filter and Cabin Filter — Small Service Items That Matter More Than Most Drivers Expect
Neither the air filter nor the cabin filter is glamorous. Both have a measurable effect on engine performance, fuel economy and air quality inside the car when they are overdue for replacement.
Read more8 August 2024
How Shaw’s Uses an Electronic Detector to Find AC Refrigerant Leaks — When UV Dye Is Not Enough
Some refrigerant leaks are too small to show under UV light, or the system has never had dye added. An electronic refrigerant sniffer finds leaks that UV alone can miss.
Read more1 June 2024
What the Numbers on an AC Manifold Gauge Mean — How Shaw’s Reads the System Before Deciding What It Needs
The high side and low side pressure readings on an AC manifold gauge are the most direct measurement of what the refrigerant circuit is doing. Here is what Shaw’s looks for.
Read more8 March 2024
Wheel Bearing Noise — How Shaw’s Diagnoses Which One and How Bad It Is
A droning or humming noise that changes with speed is one of the most common symptoms of a failing wheel bearing. Here is how Shaw’s confirms which bearing is the problem and what a borderline bearing actually means.
Read more2 February 2024
Catalytic Converter Theft — What Shaw’s Recommends to Reduce Your Risk in North Wales
Catalytic converter theft has increased significantly across the UK. Certain vehicles are targeted more than others, and there are practical steps that reduce the risk. Here is what Shaw’s advises.
Read more1 January 2024
Underseal and Rust Protection for North Wales Cars — Why the Coastal Location Makes It More Important
Salt from the sea, wet roads and mild winters that keep surfaces damp rather than frozen — the North Wales coastal environment is particularly hard on vehicle underbodies. Here is what Shaw’s sees and what to do about it.
Read more8 December 2023
Radiator and Cooling System Work at Shaw’s — What Accessing the Front End Actually Involves
Cooling system repairs often require removing the front bumper and associated panels to reach the components that need replacing. Here is what the work entails and what Shaw’s checks while the front end is off.
Read more8 November 2023
Oil Leaks, Coolant Leaks, Refrigerant Leaks — How Shaw’s Finds the Source Without Guessing
A wet patch under your car, a sweet smell from the vents, an engine that keeps needing water — these are symptoms. Finding the source requires the right tools and a methodical approach.
Read more8 October 2023
Gearbox and Transmission Service — What It Includes and When Your Vehicle Needs It
Gearbox oil is not a lifetime fluid, regardless of what the manufacturer specifies. Here is what a gearbox or automatic transmission service at Shaw’s involves and why it matters.
Read more8 May 2023
Why North Wales Fleets Choose Shaw’s — Two Branches, One Standard of Work
Fleet vehicles need fast turnaround, accurate diagnosis and a workshop that understands commercial vehicle requirements. Here is how Shaw’s Kinmel Bay and Rhyl branches serve local fleet operators.
Read more8 April 2023
Head Gasket Failure — How Shaw’s Identifies It Before the Engine Gets Worse
A head gasket failure does not always announce itself dramatically. Some develop slowly over months. Here is how Shaw’s investigates the symptoms before recommending an expensive repair.
Read more8 March 2023
Pre-Purchase Vehicle Inspection at Shaw’s — What We Check Before You Buy a Used Car
A used vehicle can look perfect and drive fine on a short test run. Here is what Shaw’s inspects when a buyer brings a vehicle in before committing to a purchase.
Read more8 February 2023
Electric and Hybrid Vehicle High-Voltage Diagnostics — What We Check at Our Rhyl Workshop
High-voltage EV and hybrid systems need specialist equipment and trained technicians. Here is how Shaw’s approaches EV and hybrid diagnostic work at our Rhyl branch.
Read more8 January 2023
The Values That Drive Every Job at Shaw’s — Why We Work the Way We Do
Shaw’s has been a family business in North Wales since the 1950s. Here is what the team believes about garage work, and why it shapes every vehicle that comes through our doors.
Read more8 October 2022
Timing Belt Replacement — Intervals, Risks and What Happens When One Snaps
The timing belt is one of the most critical maintenance items on a combustion engine. Here is what it does, when it needs replacing, and what the consequences of a missed replacement can be.
Read more1 October 2022
Power Steering Problems — What the Difference Between Hydraulic and Electric Systems Means for Diagnosis
Heavy steering, a whining pump, a warning light or a pull to one side can all be power steering faults — but the cause depends entirely on which type of system the vehicle has.
Read more8 September 2022
ABS Warning Light and Wheel Speed Sensor Faults — How Shaw’s Pinpoints the Problem
An ABS warning light does not always mean the ABS unit has failed. Here is how Shaw’s investigates wheel speed sensor faults before recommending any replacement.
Read more8 August 2022
Engine Misfires — How Shaw’s Diagnoses Them When the Code Says Random or Multiple Cylinder
A P0300 code tells you the engine is misfiring. It does not tell you why. Here is how Shaw’s investigates the cause when the obvious checks have already been done.
Read more1 August 2022
What a Full Vehicle Health Check Shows — And Why It’s Different From an MOT or Service
An MOT tests whether the car meets the legal minimum. A service replaces defined items. A health check tells you the current condition of every electronic system on the vehicle. Here is what Shaw’s finds.
Read more8 April 2022
Ignition Coil and Spark Plug Circuit Testing — What the Primary Waveform Actually Shows
A coil that tests as healthy on a basic scanner can still fail under load. Here is how Shaw’s reads the primary waveform to find ignition faults before they cause misfires and catalytic converter damage.
Read more8 March 2022
Fuel Injector and Fuel System Testing — Why Resistance and Pressure Tell Different Stories
A fault code pointing to an injector does not confirm the injector has failed. Here is how Shaw’s investigates fuel system faults before any parts are ordered.
Read more1 June 2021
A Pre-MOT Inspection at Shaw’s — What We Check and Why It Saves You Money
The MOT tests a defined list of safety items on a pass-or-fail basis. A pre-MOT inspection checks those same items beforehand — so obvious failures are fixed before they cost you a retest fee.
Read more8 May 2021
Why Cam and Crank Signal Analysis Is the First Step in Timing-Related Diagnosis
P0016, P0341, variable valve timing faults, and phantom misfires can all trace back to the signals between the crankshaft and camshaft sensors. Here is how Shaw’s reads them.
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