Mike Fairbanks Ltd · Macclesfield

Straight answers.
Before and after you buy.

Understand your warranty, choose a car that suits your driving and know what to expect from ownership. Here’s my approach.

Warranty and value

A fair price. Clear information.

I keep my prices competitive and my overheads low. I don’t inflate the price of a car to package in extras such as a headline 12-month warranty or “free” insurance. My focus is on the car itself, careful preparation and honest value.

Warranty eligibility and cover can vary with the vehicle’s age, mileage and the policy offered. Please ask me about the exact arrangements for your chosen car, including what is covered and what is excluded.

Buying from a dealer also gives you statutory consumer rights. These are separate from any warranty and are not reduced by warranty exclusions or expiry.

Check the cover.

Ask about covered components, exclusions, wear and tear, and any servicing conditions. Make sure the written terms are clear.

Know the limits.

Confirm the duration, mileage restrictions, claim limits and any excess before you buy. Don’t assume every vehicle has the same cover.

Ask me directly.

If something concerns you after purchase, get in touch. Check your warranty paperwork for reporting and repair-authorisation requirements.

This page is general information, not a warranty policy or confirmation of cover. Please request the written details for your chosen vehicle. Your statutory rights are unaffected.

Mike’s ownership advice

Buy for the journeys you actually make.

There’s a lot of debate about diesel, petrol, hybrid and electric cars. My advice is to start with your own driving: the length of your journeys, how often you drive and your running-cost budget.

Thinking about diesel?

If most of your driving is short town trips and school runs, I’d suggest discussing petrol or another suitable alternative before choosing a diesel. Journey type matters as well as annual mileage.

On diesels fitted with a particulate filter (DPF), repeated short journeys can prevent the filter completing its cleaning cycle, known as regeneration. Soot build-up can lead to problems and repair costs.

Looking after your diesel

Keep servicing up to date and use the fuel and engine oil specified by the manufacturer. Follow the handbook’s guidance on DPF regeneration and warning lights.

There isn’t one driving routine that suits every diesel. If a warning persists or the car loses performance, seek professional advice rather than relying on a fuel additive or a long drive to solve it.

MOT and emissions

Emissions equipment needs to be maintained properly. A missing DPF, where one was fitted when the vehicle was built, will result in an MOT failure.

If you have an emissions-related problem, have it diagnosed by a qualified garage. Contact Mike if you have a concern about a vehicle you have purchased.

Check the vehicle tax

Don’t assume a car has low tax simply because it is a diesel or has low emissions. The amount depends on the applicable registration-date rules and vehicle details, and rates can change.

Confirm the current cost for the specific car before buying. Ask Mike for help and check the current GOV.UK vehicle tax rates .

Not sure? Have a chat with Mike.

Tell me how you use your car and what you’re looking for. I’ll talk you through the vehicles available and the warranty details for the one you’re considering.

Call Mike: 07940 549712 Send an enquiry Browse used cars →

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Straight answers. Before and after you buy.

A fair price. Clear information.

Check the cover.

Know the limits.

Ask me directly.

Buy for the journeys you actually make.

Thinking about diesel?

Looking after your diesel

MOT and emissions

Check the vehicle tax

Not sure? Have a chat with Mike.

Mike Fairbanks

Good cars. Fair prices. Properly checked.

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Straight answers.
Before and after you buy.

Good cars.
Fair prices. Properly checked.