WorcesterVista.com

Useful advice and Information about your first car in Worcester.

After purchasing your car in Worcester, there are a few essential things to remember upon becoming a car owner and driver.

Make sure your car complies with the legal requirements

Your car should not be used on public roads in Worcester without a valid certificate of insurance and current road fund licence.

The main insurance types available in Worcester are fully comprehensive and third party fire and theft.

Fully comprehensive is the most expensive as this covers any accidental damage that could happen to your car whether or not it is your fault.

Third party is a cheaper insurance and with an older vehicle, may be all you need, this economy cover, will not pay for damage to your vehicle if you are to blame for the accident, but will take care of legal requirements to other road users.

If you are involved in an accident in Worcester, make a note of the following points.

The name address and insurance policy number of the other driver and owner involved.

Make type and registration number of other driver’s car.

Names and address’s of any witness’s. Draw a rough sketch of the scene showing position of vehicles.

The date time and location also weather conditions.

Telephone the police if you think the other driver has committed an offence.

Telephone an ambulance if anyone is injured.

Your insurance broker will offer some good advice.

A current road fund licence disc relating to your car must be displayed in left-hand lower corner of windscreen. This disc cannot be obtained unless you have a valid certificate of insurance and if your car is over three years old, a valid MOT.

Your car must be in a roadworthy condition to be driven on the road, the driver or keeper is responsible for this.

Check the tyres.

Before driving always ensure tyres are inflated and have sufficient tread, legally there should be at least one and a half-mm depth of tread across and around the tyre.

Ensure spare wheel, is inflated and in reasonable condition.
The spare wheel, jack, and wheel brace are stowed away, usually in boot or sometimes in a carrier under the boot.

If in any doubt take the advice of your local Independent tyre firm in Worcester.

Check the lights.

All lights should be in working order; any blown bulbs and broken lenses must be replaced.

It is important to check stoplights are working, get someone to look at rear lights while you operate brakes with ignition switched on.

At this time also check indicators are functioning, including hazard flasher lights.

Familiarise yourself with position of bonnet release. [Front bulbs are usually replaced from under bonnet.]

Winter conditions in Worcester.

The screenwash reservoir should be topped up with extra washer additive to prevent freezing.

Keep an aerosol of de-icer and ice scraper in the car.

Check the car has sufficient anti-freeze added to the coolant

Ensure battery fitted to your car, is in good condition. Winter driving will put extra demands on car’s electrical system.

Door locks sometime freeze up, to help alleviate this problem, occasionally lubricate lock with WD40.

Ensure wiper blades are in good condition.

Ask your local Worcester garage to give your car a winter checkover.

Make sure sufficient fuel is kept in your car; running out of petrol in Worcester can be inconvenient and expensive.