Car articles
Plain answers on keeping your car safe, legal and running well, without the jargon.
The new WOF rules from 1 November 2026, explained
Many cars move to a WOF every two years. Here's who changes, when, and what still needs checking in between.
How often should I service my car?
The short answer is whatever your car's maker says. Here's how to find that, and what a proper service includes.
When should I replace my tyres?
The legal minimum, the safer point to replace them, and the warning signs that matter more than age.
My brakes squeal or grind. What does it mean?
Some noises are harmless. Others mean metal on metal. How to tell the difference, and what to ask the shop.
Signs your hybrid battery is failing
Fuel use creeping up, the engine running more, and a warning light are the usual signs. A battery health check tells you for sure.
Buying a used car? Get a pre-purchase inspection first
What an inspection covers, what you can check yourself, and the paperwork to ask the seller for.
What to do when a repair goes wrong
Your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act, and the steps to take, in plain English.
Hybrid battery: rebuild, replace or secondhand?
Three ways to fix a worn hybrid battery, with what each costs in time, warranty and risk.
What a hybrid or EV battery health report tells you
The state-of-health score, block voltages and what good, fair and poor mean when you own, buy or sell.
Hybrid and EV servicing costs in Auckland
What a hybrid or EV service includes, how often you need one, and what drivers nearby usually pay.
Does a hybrid need special servicing?
Most of a hybrid service is the same as any car. A few extra items need a workshop that knows hybrids.