Question 1) Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.
Answer 1) Applying the indicators or hazard warning switch and check all indicators by walking around the car and looking.
Most cars will not need to have the ignition switched on to activate the hazard warning lights.
Question 2) Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don’t start the engine)
Answer 2) Operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help. (you may need to switch ignition on, but don’t start the engine)
Question 3) Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Answer 3) If the steering becomes heavy it may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two checks can be made. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate or turning the steering wheel on moving off will give an indication that the power assisted steering is functioning as it would be harder to turn if it was faulty.
Question 4) Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear, make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.
Answer 4) Apply foot brake firmly. Demonstrate by applying handbrake so that when it’s fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.(coming up too high as though the cable is stretched.)
Question 5) (Show me) Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Answer 5) Identify dipstick / oil level indicator, (don’t touch as the engine will be very hot) describe check of oil level against the minimum/maximum markers.
Open the bonnet, and point to the dipstick, describe pulling it out and wiping it to check the oil level, re-insert then pull it out again to check the level. Check the oil level on level ground.
Question 6) (Show me) Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.
Answer 6) Identify high/low level markings on coolant tank if fitted or radiator filler cap, then describe how to top up to correct level.
Always wait for the engine to cool down before opening the header tank cap or the radiator cap. This is because the system is pressurised, and the temperature of an engine very hot.
Question 7) (Show me) Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Answer 7) Identify the reservoir and check the level against max/min markings.
Question 8) Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only).
Answer 8) Check is carried out by pressing the horn.
Question 9) Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers
Answer 9) Operate the switch to wash and wipe windscreen turning the ignition on if necessary.
Question 10) Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens.
Answer 10) Set the relevant controls including the fan, temperature, air direction and heated screen to clear the windscreen and windows.
Question 11) Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. (No need to exit vehicle)
Answer 11) Operate the switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check the warning light is on and explain when to use fog lights.
The rear fog light should be used when visibility is seriously reduced. It must be switched off as soon as visibility is improved to avoid dazzling other drivers, especially at night.
Question 12) Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car.
Answer 12) Operate the switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.(High beam is usually shown by a blue light and low beam is normally a green warning light.
Question 13) Tell Me Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Answer 13) The brakes should not feel spongy.You should test them as you set off while driving very slowly.The car should not pull to one side.
Spongy feeling brakes are caused by air in the system, and the brakes should be investigated and made safe immediately. Pulling brakes may be caused by one brake being faulty and has the effect of the ‘good’ brake pulling the car to one side.
Question 14) Tell Me where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.
Answer 14) Identify the reservoir and explain how to check the level.
On some cars you can see the level in the bottle, on others all that you can see is the filler neck. In this case you would open the filler cap and look down for a level or just try topping up the bottle with ordinary water.
Question 15) Tell Me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Answer 15) Manufacturer’s car manual, use a tyre pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when the tyres are cold, don’t forget the spare tyre.
Question 16) Tell Me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
Answer 16) The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable.
Question 17) Tell Me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
Answer 17) No cuts and bulges, no objects such as glass or nails sticking in them, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.
Question 18) Tell me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working.
Answer 18) Operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk around the car.
Question 19) Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system. (ABS)
Answer 19) A warning light should show if there is a fault.
