FAQs

If you are a new or inexperienced car owner, understanding the services offered to you can be overwhelming. Below, we have answered some of the most common questions about purchasing and maintaining your car.  Start By Choosing a Topic or browse all of the most common questions below.

What's the Difference Between a Diesel and a Petrol Engine?

The main difference between petrol and diesel engines is how the air and fuel are mixed and ignited. Petrol is ignited with air compression and spark plugs whereas diesel is ignited with compressed hot air.

Other than this, everything else is quite similar. Read more about petrol vs diesel engines here. 

How Much is My Car Tax?

This can vary due to many different factors such as a car's engine size, fuel type and CO2 emissions.

Car tax is often a lot cheaper or even free if you choose to drive an Electric Vehicle. Find out how much you'll need to pay here. 

Is Buying Used a Good Idea?

Buying a Used Car is a great option if you are on a tight budget or if it's your first car. Often, used cars are much cheaper than brand new counterparts and are available almost immediately whereas you may have to wait for a new car to be delivered.

At Chapelhouse, we offer a wide range of quality used cars to suit any budget. We also offer MG and Suzuki Approved Used to offer you full peace of mind. Find out more here. 

When is My Car Tax due?

You can find out when a car's tax is due by using the government website. All you need is the vehicle registration number. This can be particularly useful when buying a used car.

What is the Value of My Car?

The value of a car depends on a multitude of factors including the age of the car, how many miles it has driven and whether there is any damage to the car.

How Does Car Finance Work?

Car Finance works by providing a loan from a financial institution to cover the costs of the car you want. Once the loan has been accepted, the financial institution pays to cover the purchase of the car with the agreement from you that you will pay them back in monthly instalments agreed on between you, the financial institution and the dealership that will cover the cost of the car plus interest. 

We understand that financing a car can be daunting. At Chapelhouse, we aim to be as open, honest and as helpful as possible when choosing the right finance option for you and we aim to be 100% transparent about our Sales Process. 

Read more on Car Finance here. 

What are the Different Finance Options?

Finance options can differ depending on which company you choose. At Chapelhouse we offer PCP, HP and PCH along with a few other options. You can find out more specifics on each option here.

How Long Does a Service Take?

The average full car service can take around 3-4 hours providing there are no significant issues with the car. Larger issues could mean that the service could take longer but the car is generally ready the same day. This can vary depending on what type of service you choose. 

At Chapelhouse, we recommend dropping the car with us in the morning and, in most cases, it will be ready for pick up the same evening.

How Much Does a Service Cost?

This can vary depending on what type of service it is and whether any repairs need to be made. To avoid surprise service costs and unexpected bills, we offer monthly service plans and the option to Drive Now, Pay Later. 

How Do I Know When My MOT Is Due?

You can find out when your MOT is due by inputting your information onto the DVLA's MOT and Car Tax Tool. However if you choose to MOT or service your car with Chapelhouse, we will automatically send you a helpful reminder so you can get booked in with one of our friendly MOT Technicians.

Should I Service and MOT My Car at the Same Time?

It isn't a legal expectation to service and MOT your car at the same time however, aligning your annual service with your MOT could save you valuable time and money.

Find out more about the benefits of aligning your MOT and Service here.