Not everyone will be isolating or staying at home during the pandemic. Obviously many key workers will need to use transport and most of us will need to venture out for food and other essentials at this time.
So, if you are using your vehicle there are several measures you should take that will help adhere to government policy during the pandemic. We have outlined some important points below:
MOT Exemption
When was your MOT due? The British government did provide a 6-month exemption period for MOT services. However, this only applied to those vehicles that expired after 30th March 2020 until 1st July so was only valid until December 31st — and was subject to terms and conditions. During the 2nd a 3rd lockdown there was no extension, so you must maintain a valid MOT. Also, you must keep your car in a road-safe condition so as to not cause harm to yourself or others. To check this there are some basic things to look out for. At Tivoli Auto Services we recommend performing basic checks to your tyres and fluid levels. If you are unsure of how to do this contact us on 01424 44 22 77. For further details on any future MOT extensions, you should check the government website on a regular basis to ensure you stay informed and are aware of any changes.
Fuel Station Conduct
In order to follow official government advice, you should remain in isolation unless you’re shopping for essential groceries, visiting vulnerable relatives, exercising for one hour a day or going to work (but only if there is no way you can work remotely). However, if you are on the road and find that you need to refuel, there are certain things you can do reduce exposure to the virus.
Firstly, you should try to use self-service payment methods wherever possible. This could be via the pay-at-pump machine or payment applications such as Shell’s ‘Fill Up & Go’. Alternatively, if they are not available, use contactless payment to avoid touching the card machine.
You should also avoid coming into contact with the fuel pump itself, so we recommend you make use of disposable gloves where available. The majority of fuel stations will have a box positioned at the pump, so consider wearing gloves when handling the pump.
Before leaving the fuel station, we advise you wash your hands if possible or, if you do not have access to a bathroom facility, use some antibacterial hand wipes or hand sanitiser to cleanse your hands before touching your steering wheel, gearstick or the interior of your car.
Battery Life
If you don’t need to use your vehicle during the lockdown period, it is likely that the battery will die, particularly if this continues for the foreseeable future. To preserve as much battery life as possible, you should ensure all interior lights are switched off and the doors are securely locked. Furthermore, you should only start your engine if you intend to run the car for at least 15 minutes; this will help keep the battery in good condition.
For more information, or if you have any queries, visit www.tivoliautoservices.co.uk or contact us on 01424. 44 22 77