Diagnostics
Really pleased with the service from Elite Mechanics. They diagnosed the problem quickly, explained everything clearly and had my car back on the road sooner than expected. Friendly, honest and professional throughout.
Sarah MitchellYour Car Or Van,
Sorted Properly.
Elite Mechanics is an independent garage covering Medway and the whole of Kent. Servicing, diagnostics, brakes, clutches, engine work, MOT repairs and recovery, all done by people who explain what is wrong before they touch it.
Free, no obligation quotesCars, vans and 4x4sRecovery available
5 Star RatedBy drivers across Medway
7+ YearsOn the tools
1,000+ VehiclesRepaired and serviced
5 Star RatedOn every platform
Cars, Vans & 4x4sAll makes welcome
RecoveryAvailable when you need it
7+Years experience
1,000+Vehicles sorted
5 StarAverage rating
0Hidden costs
One Garage For Everything Your Vehicle Needs.
From an oil and filter change to lifting an engine out, it is all done in house. No sending work out, no being passed between people, and no jargon when we explain it back to you.
Car & Van Servicing
Interim, full and major servicing with quality oil and filters, plus a written report on anything we spot.
Learn moreDiagnostics & Fault Finding
Warning lights, electrical gremlins, DPF and EGR faults. We test before we replace, so you only pay for what is broken.
Learn moreBrakes, Clutches & Gearboxes
Pads, discs, calipers, clutch kits, dual mass flywheels and gearbox work for cars and vans.
Learn moreEngine Repairs & Replacements
Cambelts, timing chains, turbos, head gaskets and full engine replacements, all done in house.
Learn moreMOT Repairs & Pre MOT Checks
Failed or worried about failing? We fix the advisories and the failures, and check it over first if you want.
Learn moreVehicle Recovery
Breakdowns, accident damage, non runners and vehicle transport across Medway and Kent.
Learn moreDashboard Light On? Find Out What It Means.
Tap any warning light for what it actually means, how urgent it is, and what we do about it. If it is red, stop driving and call us.
Get it checked
Engine management light
What it meansThe engine's control unit has logged a fault and put a code in memory. It can be something small like a sensor or a loose connection, or something that will quietly wreck fuel economy and eventually the catalytic converter. A flashing engine light is different again, that usually means a misfire, and driving on it can damage the cat within minutes.
What we doWe plug in, read the live data as well as the stored codes, then test the actual component before we condemn it. You get told what the code is, what it means and what it costs to put right.
Stop as soon as it's safe
Oil pressure light
What it meansThis is the one that ends engines. It means oil is not being pumped around at the pressure the engine needs, so bearings and camshafts are running dry. It is not a low oil level warning, it is a pressure warning, and every minute of running does damage.
What we doStop, switch off and call us. We will recover the vehicle in, check pressure properly with a gauge, and look at the pump, filter and pickup before anything is started again.
Stop as soon as it's safe
Coolant temperature light
What it meansThe engine is running hotter than it should. Usually a coolant leak, a failed thermostat, a water pump on its way out or a cooling fan that has stopped working. Carry on driving and you risk a warped head or a blown head gasket, which turns a small bill into a big one.
What we doWe pressure test the system to find the leak, check the pump, thermostat, fans and radiator, and tell you honestly whether the head gasket has already gone.
Get it checked today
Battery charging light
What it meansThe battery is not being charged while the engine runs. Most of the time it is the alternator or the belt driving it. The car will keep running until whatever is left in the battery is gone, then it will stop, usually somewhere inconvenient.
What we doWe test the battery, the alternator output and the charging circuit, so you replace what is actually faulty rather than fitting a battery and having the same problem a week later.
Stop as soon as it's safe
Brake system light
What it meansEither the handbrake is still on, brake fluid is low, or there is a fault in the braking system. Low fluid normally means worn pads or a leak somewhere in the system, and a leak is not something to drive on.
What we doWe check fluid level and condition, inspect pads, discs, hoses and cylinders for leaks, and road test the car before it goes back to you.
Book it in
ABS light
What it meansNormal braking still works, but the anti lock system has switched itself off. In an emergency stop the wheels can lock. It is usually a wheel speed sensor, damaged wiring near the wheel arch, or the ABS module itself. It is also an MOT failure.
What we doWe read the ABS codes, check the sensors and wiring at each corner, and fix the actual fault rather than clearing the light and hoping.
Deal with it early
DPF light
What it meansThe diesel particulate filter is loading up with soot and has not been able to regenerate, usually because the car does mostly short, cold journeys. Caught early it is a straightforward job. Ignored, the filter blocks solid and you are looking at a much bigger bill.
What we doWe check for the underlying cause first, then carry out a forced regeneration or clean, and give you honest advice about whether the car suits the way you drive.
Book it in
Glow plug light
What it meansOn a diesel, a flashing glow plug light usually means a fault has been logged rather than a preheat problem. It often shows up alongside hard starting when cold, white smoke on start up or a rough first minute of running.
What we doWe test each glow plug and the control relay, check the wiring, and replace only the ones that have actually failed.
Real Jobs, Real Workshop.
Every photo below is work that has come through our unit. Engines out, turbos replaced, timing chains done, 4x4s up on the ramp. Not stock images.
Warning Light On? Don't Guess.
Guessing at parts gets expensive fast. We read the codes, test the component and tell you what it actually needs before you spend anything.
What Is It Actually Doing?
Pick what you are hearing or feeling and we will tell you the usual culprits before you spend a penny.
Grinding or squealing under braking
- 1Worn padsOnce the friction material is gone you are braking on metal, which quickly ruins the discs as well.
- 2Lipped or warped discsA ridge on the edge of the disc or a pulsing pedal means the discs have had their day.
- 3Sticking caliperOne corner drags, gets hot, wears its pad twice as fast and pulls the car under braking.
Brakes are the one thing worth never leaving. We will strip the corner down, measure the discs and show you what is worn before we quote.
Knocking or clunking over bumps
- 1Worn drop links or bushesThe cheapest and most common cause, and an easy fix once we have found which one it is.
- 2Top mounts or shock absorbersUsually knocks over speed bumps and feels floaty or crashy over rough roads.
- 3Wheel bearingOften a hum that changes when you turn, and a definite MOT failure once there is play in it.
Suspension knocks all sound similar from the driver's seat. Up on the ramp it takes minutes to find which joint has the play in it.
Clutch slipping or crunching gears
- 1Worn clutch plateRevs rise but the car does not pull, usually worst in third or fourth uphill.
- 2Dual mass flywheelRattle at idle that goes when you dip the clutch, and a shudder as you pull away.
- 3Gearbox or linkageCrunching into second when cold often points at synchros or a worn linkage rather than the clutch.
We road test it first so you are not paying for a clutch when the problem is the linkage or the release bearing.
A warning light has come on
- 1Stored fault codesThe code tells us the circuit, not the part. Testing tells us the part.
- 2Sensor or wiring faultPlenty of lights are caused by damaged wiring or a corroded plug rather than a failed component.
- 3A real mechanical problemSome lights are the engine protecting itself. Those ones need looking at straight away.
We read live data as well as stored codes and test the component before replacing it. No parts cannon.
Smoke coming from the exhaust
- 1Blue smokeBurning oil. Usually valve stem seals, piston rings or a turbo feeding oil into the intake.
- 2Black smokeRunning rich. Injectors, air flow, EGR or a blocked filter making the engine overfuel.
- 3White smokeSteam that will not clear once warm often means coolant is going where it should not.
The colour narrows it down, the tests confirm it. We will tell you straight whether it is worth repairing.
Overheating or losing coolant
- 1Water pump or thermostatCommon on higher mileage cars and often done alongside the cambelt.
- 2Leaking hose, radiator or housingA pressure test finds these in minutes, even when nothing shows on the drive.
- 3Head gasketMayonnaise under the cap, pressure in the top hose, or coolant disappearing with no visible leak.
Stop driving it. Overheating turns a cheap repair into an engine out job faster than anything else on this list.
It will not start or turns over slowly
- 1BatterySlow cranking, dash lights dimming, worse when cold. Cheap to test properly.
- 2AlternatorIf it is not charging, a new battery only buys you a few days.
- 3Starter or glow plugsA single click, or a diesel that fires on the third attempt when cold.
We test the whole charging and starting circuit rather than guessing at a battery, and we can recover the car in if it will not move.
Vibration through the steering or seat
- 1Wheel balance or buckled rimComes in at a certain speed and disappears again above it.
- 2Warped front discsFelt through the pedal and the wheel under braking rather than all the time.
- 3Driveshaft, CV joint or engine mountVibration under acceleration or a clicking noise on full lock.
A five minute road test with you in the car usually narrows this down before we even lift it.
Precision Work. Premium Care.
Elite Mechanics is a proper independent garage, not a chain. The same person who quotes your job is the person who does it, and the person who calls you when we find something you should know about.
That means engine out repairs, timing chains, turbos, clutches and gearboxes are done in house on our own ramps, with the diagnostic kit to find faults other garages have already given up on.
It also means honest advice. If something can safely wait until next time, we will tell you. If a car is not worth the repair, we will tell you that too.
- Everything explained in plain English before we start
- Fixed prices agreed up front, no surprises on collection
- Quality parts fitted as standard
- Nothing extra done without your say so
Our workshop, Medway
How It Works.
No jargon, no pressure and no surprise invoices. From the first message to picking the car back up, you always know where you stand.
Step 1
Tell us what it's doing
Call, WhatsApp or fill in the form. Describe the noise, the light or the problem. Photos and videos help, send them over.
Step 2
Get an honest price
We tell you what it is likely to be, what it will cost and how long it will take. If it needs looking at first, we say that instead of guessing.
Step 3
We do the work
Your vehicle comes in, gets diagnosed properly and gets fixed. Anything extra we find gets a phone call, never a surprise on the invoice.
Step 4
Back on the road
You get the car back with everything explained, the old parts if you want them, and honest advice on what to keep an eye on next.
Recovery For Every Situation.
Broken down, been in a knock, will not start, or a project that has not moved in two years. We recover cars, vans and 4x4s across Medway and Kent, and if it is something we can repair, it comes straight back to the workshop.
One call covers the recovery and the repair, so you are not chasing two different companies while your vehicle sits somewhere it should not be.
- Roadside breakdowns
- Accident damaged vehicles
- Non runners and projects
- Vehicle transport and deliveries
Recovered in, repaired, back on the road
Rated 5 Star By Drivers Across Medway.
Honest pricing, clear explanations and work that lasts. That is what keeps people coming back and sending their family to us.
General repairs
Nick and the team were brilliant from start to finish. They kept me updated, completed the work quickly and charged exactly what they quoted. I wouldn't take my car anywhere else now.
James CarterMOT and service
Took my car to Elite Mechanics for its MOT and service. Everything was handled professionally and there were no unexpected costs. A reliable local garage that I'm happy to recommend.
Rebecca HallVan repairs
My van developed a problem right before a busy week of work. The team fitted me in at short notice and got it sorted incredibly quickly. Excellent service and a massive help.
Daniel WrightFault finding
Nick was honest, knowledgeable and really helpful. Another garage had quoted me for work I didn't need, but Elite Mechanics found the actual issue and fixed it for much less.
Chloe BennettServicing
I've used Elite Mechanics several times now and the service is always excellent. They're friendly, reliable and never carry out extra work without discussing it with you first.
Paul EdwardsEngine repairs
Fantastic experience with Nick and the team. They explained the fault in simple terms, gave me a clear price and completed the repair on time. The car has been running perfectly ever since.
Lauren HughesServicing
As someone who doesn't know much about cars, finding a garage I can trust is important. Everyone at Elite Mechanics made me feel comfortable and kept me informed throughout. Really great service.
Emma RichardsonBrakes
Booked my car in for new brakes and couldn't fault the experience. The work was completed quickly, the price was fair and the difference in the car is incredible. Highly recommended.
Tom HarrisFamily cars
Elite Mechanics look after all our family's cars and are always brilliant. Whether it's a service, MOT or unexpected repair, they're helpful, efficient and completely trustworthy.
Karen FosterElectrical faults
Nick and his team managed to diagnose an electrical issue that two other garages couldn't find. They kept me updated throughout and finally got everything working properly again. First class service.
Ryan CooperWarning light
Had a warning light appear unexpectedly and Elite Mechanics fitted me in the same day. They found the issue, explained my options and had everything sorted without any hassle. Very impressed.
Sophie TurnerGeneral repairs
Great garage with genuinely friendly people. The booking process was easy, the work was completed when promised and my car was left clean and tidy. I'll definitely be returning.
Michael GreenVan repairs
I use my van every day for work, so I needed it repaired quickly. Nick and the team went above and beyond to get me back on the road. Professional service and very fair pricing.
Lee ThompsonVehicle inspection
Recently bought a used car and asked Elite Mechanics to give it a full inspection. They were extremely thorough and gave me honest advice about what needed attention now and what could wait.
Megan RobertsBreakdown
My car broke down unexpectedly and I was worried it would cost a fortune. The team found the problem quickly and offered a sensible, affordable solution. I'm really grateful for their help.
Andrew CollinsServicing
Another excellent service from Elite Mechanics. The staff are always welcoming, communication is spot on and the quality of work is consistently high. A garage you can genuinely rely on.
Hannah WalkerFault finding
Nick was incredibly helpful and took the time to show me exactly what was wrong with my car. There was no pressure and no confusing jargon, just straightforward, honest advice.
Mark JohnsonClutch replacement
Brought my car in for a clutch replacement and the whole process was straightforward. I received regular updates, the job was finished on schedule and the car now drives perfectly.
Olivia DaviesGeneral repairs
I was recommended Elite Mechanics by a friend and now I understand why. Nick and the team are knowledgeable, approachable and genuinely care about doing a good job. I'll happily recommend them to others.
Ben WilsonBased In Medway.
Covering Kent Wide.
We are based in Medway and cover the whole county. Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Strood and Rainham are on our doorstep, and we regularly work across Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Gravesend and beyond.
No Job Too Big Or Small.
An oil change or an engine replacement, it gets the same care and the same honest price. Tell us what it is doing and we will tell you what it needs.
Questions, Answered.
The things people ask us most before booking in. If yours is not here, just call or message us.
No. Quotes are free and there is no obligation. Tell us the vehicle and what it is doing and we will give you a realistic price before anything is booked in.
Yes. Cars, vans and 4x4s, all makes and models. A lot of our work is for tradespeople who need their van back on the road quickly, so we will always try to fit urgent van work in.
We are based in Medway and cover Kent wide, including Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Strood, Rainham, Sittingbourne, Maidstone and Gravesend. Recovery goes further afield when needed.
Always. If we find something else while the car is with us, you get a call with what it is, what it costs and whether it needs doing now or can wait. Nothing extra gets done without you saying yes.
Yes. We recover breakdowns, non runners, accident damaged vehicles and projects. If it is something we can repair, it comes straight back to the workshop and we carry on from there.
One call covers the recovery and the repair, which usually works out cheaper and quicker than arranging both separately.
Yes. We fit OE or quality equivalent parts as standard. If you would rather we used a specific brand, or you have sourced your own parts, just say and we will talk it through with you.
Usually within a few days, and often the same week for urgent jobs, warning lights and anything that has left you off the road. Call or message us and we will tell you honestly when we can fit you in.
Tell Us What It's Doing.
Send us the vehicle and the symptoms and we will come back with an honest price and a realistic timescale. No obligation, no pressure.