Oldfields Hire fleet expanded to 9 vehicles...

When we started hiring our VW Camper Van in 2017, we didn't envisage how much the Oldfields Hire part of our business would change! Jim Melia Car & Van Rentals retired and Bengry Motors were sold and Self-drive Vehicle Hire didn't sit within how they operate their business so we decided to add to what we offered.

We sold the Camper Van earlier this year (to the son of one of our long-standing customers) and the portfolio of vehicles has changed significantly! We may no longer offer Camper Van Hire, but we have 3 cars (with a couple more stand by options), 1 minibus and 5 vans!

Car Hire:

Dacia Sandero (2019)
Fiat 500X (2016)
Peugeot 108 (2017)

8-seat Minibus Hire:

Ford Tourneo Custom (2015)

Van Hire:

VW Caddy (2012) Small Van

Vauxhall Movano (2014) Medium Wheel Base Van, Semi High Top with Air conditioning
Renault Traffic (2014) Long Wheel Base, with Air Conditioning and Sat Nav
Renault Master LWB (2015) Large Van, Semi High Top
Citroen Relay Luton Van with Tail lift (2013)

For pricing details visit www.oldfields-hire.co.uk or to enquire about availability call 01568 612436

Oldfields Hire, Leominster

We've now added self-drive vehicle hire to the services we offer. We have an 8-seat Minibus, Caddy Van, Long-Wheel Base Renault Master and a Luton Van with Tail lift along with a Fiat 500X Car.

We will be looking to add to our list of vehicles as time goes on.

To enquire about availablility call 01568 612436 or visit our Hire webpage www.oldfields-hire.co.uk

MOT changes - New Items that come into the MOT test from May 2018

May 20th 2018 was an important date in the world of MOT testing as it brought some of the most significant changes to the MOT in recent times. 

Below are a list of the items that are now tested in the MOT. 

• brake fluid contamination
• additional braking device performance
• daytime running lamps
• front fog lamps
• reversing lamps
• bumpers
• prop shafts
• all rear drive shafts
• cab security
• cab steps
• floors
• passenger hand grips (quads and heavy trikes only)
• noise suppression material
• undertray security
• emission control equipment:
  • oxygen sensor
  • NOx sensor
  • exhaust gas recirculation valve
  • other emission control equipment
• engine malfunction indicator lamp
• diesel particulate filter (DPF) tampering
• fluid leaks - engine, transmission and so on

MOT Category Changes

May the 20th sees some major changes to the MOT testing system and the MOT test itself. Here is the first short explanation of one of the changes that are coming...

Firstly the update sees a change in the categories of "Pass, Fail & Advise." The principles are the same, but the new categories are as follows (with a summary of what it means):

Item result	What it means about the item	How it affects the MOT result
Dangerous	A direct and immediate risk to road safety or has a serious impact on the environment. Do not drive the vehicle until it’s been repaired.	Fail
Major	It may affect the vehicle’s safety, put other road users at risk or have an impact on the environment. Repair it immediately.	Fail
Minor	No significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment. Repair as soon as possible.	Pass
Advisory	It could become more serious in the future. Monitor and repair it if necessary.	Pass
Pass	It meets the minimum legal standard. Make sure it continues to meet the standard.	Pass

Customer Reminder Improvements

We are delighted to have made some improvements to our free MOT and Service reminder service.

Our customers will now receive an automated text message 30 days before your MOT expiry and then a final reminder 7 days before your MOT expiry date. We will also receive a Service reminder 14 days before your annual service.

To ensure you are able to receive timely reminders, please provide us with your mobile number by contacting us. If you have changed your mobile number since you were last in with us, please also let us know.

Visit Leominster Town, while we take care of your vehicle

We have a number of customers who use our services while they enjoy a visit Leominster! In 2017 The Sunday Times Newspaper listed Leominster as one of the best places to live in the UK.

Did you know?
We can offer you a lift into town where you can spend some time browsing one of the 200 + unique and independent shops, antiques markets and cafe's or even visit Grange Court, while your vehicle is with us for Service, MOT or repair. If you'd like to explore a bit further we run a small fleet of courtesy vehicles (subject to prior booking) or you can even make a stay of it and hire one of our campers, www.oldfieldscampers.co.uk.

To get a flavour of what Leominster has to offer visit www.shoppinginleominsterhr6.com.

I have warning messages on my dash, what should I do?

Modern vehicles use complex systems systems to manage the performance of your vehicle. 

When these systems stop working correctly or a fault develops, you will usually get warning lights/symbols or messages appearing on the dash and this may or may not lead to noticeable symptoms when driving or using the vehicle. It is sensible to respond to any warning lights that come on, even if that is simply speak to your garage to ask for advice. 

Usually, warning messages will store a "fault code" in your vehicles onboard computer. 

"If you plug your laptop in, can you tell me what the fault is?" 

Unfortunately it isn't that simple! If a vehicle has a problem we would often start by reading the engine management system, either doing a full system scan or interrogating a specific system (for example the ABS system). This would usually give you a fault code or codes, but this is simply a starting point. A fault code alone will rarely give you the solution to a problem, but this information tells you where the fault lies. 

How long does it take to diagnose a fault?

Further technical information is used in conjunction with testing to try to diagnose the fault, which can be detailed or straightforward. It doesn't matter how good the garage or technician is, there isn't a definitive answer to how long a problem will take to resolve. There is often a fine balance between testing time and the cost of replacing a part. This can be complicated further by a fault being intermittent. A diagnostic check will usually start at an hour. In most cases we are able to find the problem within that time, but complex/wiring issues can take longer. We provide an initial diagnostic for a fixed price and we contact customers once this time has been taken. 

If you require a diagnostic check and are in the Leominster, HR6 area then please give us a call 01568 612436 or visit our website www.oldfieldsgarage.co.uk

Oldfields Garage Services use several computer based diagnostic machines, including Bosch KTS, SnapOn Verus Edge, Launch, VAG-Com (used for VAG technical diagnostics on VW, Audi, Skoda & Seat). We also subscribe to market leading staff training, technical support and technical information from AutoData, CarWeb Autovista.