Diagnostics & Fault Finding

A standard diagnostic is £75 + VAT and includes a full scan of every module, a short road test, and a written report. If you go ahead with the repair at Slick Autos, the diagnostic fee is waived and rolled into the job.

Often, yes. Most missed faults come down to two things: the wrong diagnostic tool, and not enough patience. We run genuine dealer-level tools for Mercedes, BMW, Porsche and VW Group, and we allocate enough time to log the fault properly — not just clear the codes and hope.

No. DPF removal is illegal for road use in the UK, it fails the MOT, and it's an emissions offence. What we will do is diagnose why your DPF is blocked, fix the underlying cause, and carry out a proper regeneration or clean.

Yes, but be realistic with the timescale. An intermittent fault that appears once a week needs the right logging setup on the car for long enough to catch it. We'll talk you through the plan before we start.

No — we also diagnose noises, vibrations, clutch and gearbox complaints, brake faults and suspension problems. If it's wrong with your car, we can diagnose it.

Most diagnostic jobs fit into a standard 1-hour slot. Intermittent faults, drivability complaints and complex electrical issues sometimes need a half-day slot for proper logging — we'll advise at booking based on what you describe over the phone.

Yes — pre-purchase inspection is one of our most common diagnostic jobs. Full dealer-tool scan, compression check, visual under-body inspection, test drive, and a written report telling you whether the asking price is fair and what (if anything) needs doing. £150 + VAT, done in 1.5 hours.

Yes. For faults that only appear under load — hesitation at a specific RPM, turbo flutter, misfires under boost — we use the rolling road as a diagnostic tool with full live logging. Much more effective than road testing because we can hold a specific load point for as long as we need.