Spruce up your car for summer

This could compromise your safety and cost you more on repairs and maintenance in the long term. Now is the time when you should wash your car properly and give it a thorough check over to ensure you enjoy safe, reliable motoring through the warmer months.

Here, we’re looking at 10 tasks that you should perform as part of a seasonal check-up:

1. Wash your car thoroughly “ paying particular attention to the wheel arches, behind or beneath the bumpers and the sills below the doors. Better still, if you don’t fancy doing it yourself, treat your car to a spring clean offered by one of the many Car Hand Washing businesses that have become so popular these days. It may cost you a few pounds but the time saved is well worth it!

2. Clean inside the engine bay and remove any soggy leaves.

3. Clean the wheels using a proprietary cleaner. (You can do a better job if you remove each wheel in turn, but only if you know how to do it safely - see your owners manual!). Also check the condition of the tyres.

4. Now, vacuum the interior thoroughly including inside the luggage space. Remove rubber mats and scrub them clean; use a suitable cleaner on upholstery and carpets.

5. Polish the paintwork one panel at a time, so you can keep track of what you’ve done.

6. Check for chips and scratches in the paintwork and touch these up.

7. Clean thoroughly all glass “ inside and out “ as well as headlamps and other lights, plus door mirrors.

8. Check the condition of the wiper blades, which will have been used a lot in the winter. Dont forget the rear wiper.

9. Inspect the exhaust system for corrosion.

10. Finally, lightly lubricate all hinges and door locks and apply a little petroleum jelly to the battery terminals.

Remember, regular servicing and maintenance of your car can maintain its resale value, save you money, and make it safer to drive.