Ford and Ford Commercial Aftersales - FAQ's

What does a car service include?

Your Ford car service is designed to deliver complete peace of mind that everything will continue to run smoothly. Depending on the type of service you choose, your vehicle will undergo a series of checks and fluid changes or top ups to ensure it stays in prime condition. Our trained technicians also carry out a 30-point Ford eCheck to identify where any essential or recommended work needs doing.

In addition to this, our Ford services include UK and European roadside assistance, which is valid for 12 months or until your next service is due. You’ll also have access to our Accident Management service, should you require it.

What does an MOT include?

A Ford MOT checks the safety and roadworthiness of your vehicle. Trained technicians use the latest diagnostic equipment to ensure components such as lights, seatbelts and brakes are working properly. They also check the fuel and exhaust systems to make sure there are no excess emissions.

Our MOTs are competitively priced and take around 45 minutes to complete.

How often should I service my car?

The frequency of your service depends on several factors, such as manufacturer recommendations and how much your annual mileage is. For example, if you cover 20,000 miles a year or above, it’s likely you’ll need more than one service annually. To find out what is recommended for your vehicle, check your owner’s manual or contact us today.

What is the difference between tracking and wheel balancing?

Both wheel alignment – or tracking – and wheel balancing are essential for ensuring pressure is evenly distributed and no vibration occurs when you drive. Correct tracking minimises the wear and tear on your tyres, improves performance, and ensures fuel efficiency remains optimised.

Wheel balancing, on the other hand, enables the wheels to spin correctly without causing unnecessary vibrations and upsetting the ride comfort.

When should tyres be replaced?

Tyres should be replaced when the treads reach their minimum legal depth, which is 1.6mm across the middle third of the tyre. Allowing the tread depth to reduce below this not only affects performance and fuel efficiency, it could land you with a fine and three points on your licence.

At Gates Ford, we recommend a tyre change when the tread depth is between 3mm and 1.6mm, thereby ensuring optimum performance and eliminating the risk of legal consequences. Our tyre offer means you can take advantage of our wheel alignment services from just £14.99 – contact us today for details.

How can I check my car?

If you’d like your vehicle checked for added peace of mind, you can take advantage of our Ford Convenience Check, which covers a range of components to ensure they’re performing properly. It includes a 30-point visual health check, fluid checks and top ups, new software downloads where necessary, and Ford UK and European roadside assistance. Contact us today to book.

Are Gates service centres approved Ford manufacturer service centres?

Yes, all of our service centres are Ford manufacturer approved.

Will my vehicle be serviced on-site?

All servicing is carried out on-site at our Approved Ford service centres.

Can I wait whilst my vehicle is serviced?

Allocated time slots are available for 'while you wait' appointments, subject to availability. Pleas ask your local Gates dealership for specific waiting times.

Do you provide a collection/delivery service?

A collection and delivery service is available within a specified radius of your local Gates dealership - please ask for details. Local lifts are available at our Harlow, Stevenage and Stortford dealerships.

Can you provide a courtesy car whilst my vehicle is being serviced or repaired?

Courtesy cars are available however, you will need to let us know your exact requirements at point of booking. Courtesy vehicles are only available to drivers aged 21 or over who have held the license for at least one year . Driver must not have been disqualified from driving within the last 5 years and must have less than 9 penalty points on their license. We charge £15 per day collision damage waiver and the vehicle must be returned with at least the same amount of fuel as on collection. You can insure our vehicle through your own insurance company if you wish, however we will need to see the original fully comprehensive insurance document clearly displaying the registration number of our car.

In case you are not all aware, from 8th June 2015, the paper counterpart of a GB license will no longer be a valid DVLA document and it will not be possible to rely upon it to show driver eligibility. Customers wishing to use one our courtesy vehicles will need to obtain a code from the DVLA to enable us to verify the validity of their driving licence. To obtain the code please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence or call 09061 393837

You will need your driving licence and national insurance numbers ready. Once you have the code please present it to your service advisor who will then run it through the DVLA site and be able to print off proof of eligibility.

Do you provide Service Plans to help me spread the cost of scheduled servicing?

Yes, service plans at Gates are available from as little as £13.85 per month. Click here to find out more.

If my vehicle fails it's MOT, will you re-test it for free?

Yes, we will re-test your vehicle for free within 10 days of the failed MOT date.

Do you provide a service/MOT reminder service?

We will notify you with a phone call, letter or SMS provided these contact details are supplied, and depending on your contact preferences.

How long is the warranty on the work carried out?

Parts and Labour at Gates are guaranteed in line with the Ford Manufacturer Guarantee.

Do you provide speciality services/parts that are not available at independent garages?

At our manufacturer-approved service centres our fully trained Ford Technicians use the latest diagnostic equipment in state-of-the-art facilities to assess your vehicle. This means we can provide a dedicated service tailored to match your car's specific needs.

If additional work is required, will you contact me prior to carrying out the work?

Yes, we will call before any additional work is undertaken.

What are your opening hours?

To view our opening hours, please click here and select the relevant dealership.

Do you provide full details of the service and receipt?

Yes, a copy of the Visual Health Check will be provided to you along with a receipt upon payment.