Professional car diagnostic checks in Portsmouth and Hampshire
Since 2012, when we started in business, TCM Automotive has conducted thousands of car diagnostic checks for customers right across Hampshire. Some of these checks take place at our main tuning centre in Portsmouth, while many are handled by our mobile car diagnostic team. These highly-trained technicians see to it that no matter where you live in the county, you can always benefit from our exemplary car diagnostic service.
Common Warning Lights We Diagnose
Modern vehicles continuously monitor hundreds of electronic systems and will display dashboard warning lights whenever a fault is detected. While some alerts indicate relatively minor issues, others require immediate attention to prevent further damage or unsafe driving conditions.
As specialist technicians, our team uses advanced diagnostic equipment to identify the cause of dashboard warning lights accurately before recommending the most effective repair.
The engine management light is one of the most common dashboard warnings and can indicate anything from a faulty sensor to emission problems. Our diagnostic equipment allows us to retrieve fault codes and accurately identify the underlying cause before recommending the appropriate repair.
If your ABS warning light remains illuminated, your anti-lock braking system may not operate correctly during emergency braking. Our technicians can diagnose faults affecting ABS sensors, control modules and braking components to restore your vehicle's braking performance.
An illuminated airbag or SRS warning light could indicate a fault within your vehicle's supplementary restraint system. Because this safety system may not function during an accident, we recommend arranging a professional diagnostic inspection as soon as possible.
The battery or charging warning light can indicate a problem with the alternator, battery, charging circuit or electrical system. Prompt diagnosis can help prevent complete battery failure and reduce the risk of being stranded.
What is a car diagnostics check?
The computer keeps a detailed log of the information it collates. During a car diagnostic check specialist equipment is used to bring up that log and read through it to find evidence of existing or potential problems with your vehicle. Our car diagnostic specialists are trained to read these transcripts and spot issues either as (or hopefully before they arise.
When should I have a car diagnostics check?
Frequently Asked Questions
Most modern garages can plug into a car's onboard system, but the quality of the read-out depends on the equipment and the technician interpreting it. A basic code reader only shows fault codes, whereas a proper diagnostic looks at live data and pinpoints the actual cause. At our Portsmouth garage we use manufacturer-level equipment so you get a clear diagnosis rather than a guess.
Warning lights, rough running, poor fuel economy, difficulty starting, or unusual noises are all common signs that something needs investigating. Sometimes a fault is developing electronically before you notice anything at all while driving. If any of these appear, our technicians can run a full diagnostic and tell you exactly what's going on.
A diagnostic can flag a wide range of engine issues, from misfires and sensor faults to fuelling and emissions problems, by reading the data the engine management system records. It won't always show mechanical wear directly, so we often combine the read-out with a physical inspection. This gives a far more accurate picture than the fault code alone.
A full diagnostic involves connecting to the car's control modules, reading stored and live fault data, and checking systems such as the engine, transmission, ABS and airbags. We then interpret those results and, where needed, carry out further physical checks to confirm the cause. The aim is to identify the real problem before any work begins.
A diagnostic detects faults that a car's sensors and control units record, which covers a great deal but not absolutely everything. Some mechanical issues, worn components or intermittent faults need a hands-on inspection or road test to uncover. Combining the electronic read-out with an experienced eye is how our Portsmouth technicians catch what a scan alone might miss.
Why choose TCM Automotive for your car diagnostic checks?
There are many reasons to pick us when you’re in need of a car diagnostic check. Here are some of the more common ones, as relayed to us by our thousands of satisfied customers.
We don’t skimp when it comes to our car diagnostics equipment, using only some of the best technology from the biggest names in the industry, including: Flashtec, Magic Motorsport, and XHP.
We have been in business since 2012, but our engineers have been performing car diagnostic checks for more than thirty years between them. This means that, whether you come to us or we come to you, you’re assured of a competent and experienced professional running your car diagnostics check.
At TCM Automotive, either you come to us or we come to you. In the first instance, we have a state-of-the-art car tuning centre here in Portsmouth where all your car diagnostic checks can be done while you wait in comfort.
Can’t make it to our Portsmouth tuning centre? No problem. As part of our commitment to our clients across the county, our team of mobile technicians will be happy to visit you at home or at your place of work to run the appropriate car diagnostic checks for you. This includes customers in Portsmouth itself, as well as Alton, Brighton, Chichester, Clanfield, Cowplain, Crawley, Denmead, Fareham, Gosport, Guildford, Havant, Horndean, Horsham, Petersfield, Portsmouth, Southampton, Waterlooville, Winchester, Worthing, and beyond.
