Frequently Asked Questions – Mobile Auto Electrician
Got a question about our mobile auto electrical services?
Here you'll find answers to some of the questions we are asked most often about vehicle diagnostics, electrical repairs, wiring faults, key programming, pricing, mileage and our mobile service.
Car Alarm & Radio Services is a family-run mobile auto electrical business covering Swindon, Cirencester, Stroud and surrounding areas of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
Here you'll find answers to some of the questions we are asked most often about vehicle diagnostics, electrical repairs, wiring faults, key programming, pricing, mileage and our mobile service.
Car Alarm & Radio Services is a family-run mobile auto electrical business covering Swindon, Cirencester, Stroud and surrounding areas of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you charge for wiring diagrams?
Professional vehicle wiring diagrams and technical information are supplied through specialist trade databases. These systems have significant annual subscription costs, so we charge a small fee when wiring diagrams or technical information are required for a job.
Having the correct wiring information is particularly important when diagnosing modern vehicle electrical faults, CAN bus problems and complex wiring issues.
Having the correct wiring information is particularly important when diagnosing modern vehicle electrical faults, CAN bus problems and complex wiring issues.
How much does an auto electrician charge?
Our labour rates reflect the specialist equipment, diagnostic equipment, technical information and experience required to work on modern vehicles.
Our current prices are listed on our Prices and Office Hours page. Diagnostic work is charged according to the time and equipment required to correctly identify the fault.
We believe in proper diagnosis rather than replacing parts until the fault disappears.
Our current prices are listed on our Prices and Office Hours page. Diagnostic work is charged according to the time and equipment required to correctly identify the fault.
We believe in proper diagnosis rather than replacing parts until the fault disappears.
Why do you charge a deposit?
Because we operate a mobile service, appointments involve travelling to the vehicle and allocating time that could otherwise be used for another customer.
A deposit may therefore be required when booking, particularly for appointments involving expensive parts or where there is a risk of a wasted journey.
The deposit helps cover travelling time, fuel and lost appointment time when a customer does not attend or is unavailable.
A deposit may therefore be required when booking, particularly for appointments involving expensive parts or where there is a risk of a wasted journey.
The deposit helps cover travelling time, fuel and lost appointment time when a customer does not attend or is unavailable.
Do you charge for mileage?
Yes. We are a fully mobile auto electrical service, so travelling to your vehicle involves fuel, vehicle running costs and time.
Mileage charges may apply depending on the location of the vehicle.
Customers who can bring their vehicle to our Cirencester area may benefit from a reduced fixed travel charge.
Mileage charges may apply depending on the location of the vehicle.
Customers who can bring their vehicle to our Cirencester area may benefit from a reduced fixed travel charge.
Do you provide mobile car diagnostics?
Yes. We provide advanced vehicle diagnostics and electrical fault finding as part of our mobile service.
We don't simply read and clear fault codes. We investigate the underlying fault using diagnostic equipment, visual inspection, electrical testing and wiring information where required.
This can help prevent unnecessary replacement of expensive components.
Read more about our diagnostic service →
We don't simply read and clear fault codes. We investigate the underlying fault using diagnostic equipment, visual inspection, electrical testing and wiring information where required.
This can help prevent unnecessary replacement of expensive components.
Read more about our diagnostic service →
Can you diagnose electrical faults that don't have a fault code?
Yes. Many electrical problems do not produce a diagnostic trouble code.
Problems such as broken wires, poor earth connections, communication faults, voltage drops and intermittent electrical faults often require physical testing rather than simply reading the vehicle's fault memory.
This is where proper auto electrical diagnosis can save the cost of replacing parts unnecessarily.
Problems such as broken wires, poor earth connections, communication faults, voltage drops and intermittent electrical faults often require physical testing rather than simply reading the vehicle's fault memory.
This is where proper auto electrical diagnosis can save the cost of replacing parts unnecessarily.
Do you program and supply replacement car keys?
Yes, for selected vehicles.
Some replacement keys require two stages. Initially, the vehicle may need to be connected to obtain the information required to produce and program the correct key.
The replacement key can then be produced with the correct mechanical cut and electronics before returning to the vehicle for programming and testing.
Whether we can supply a key depends on the vehicle make, model, year and security system.
Some replacement keys require two stages. Initially, the vehicle may need to be connected to obtain the information required to produce and program the correct key.
The replacement key can then be produced with the correct mechanical cut and electronics before returning to the vehicle for programming and testing.
Whether we can supply a key depends on the vehicle make, model, year and security system.
Do you repair vehicle wiring faults?
Yes. We carry out vehicle electrical repairs and wiring fault diagnosis where the fault can be safely accessed and repaired.
Examples include broken wires, damaged wiring looms, poor connections, power supply faults and communication wiring problems.
We will always try to identify the actual cause of the fault rather than simply replacing components.
Examples include broken wires, damaged wiring looms, poor connections, power supply faults and communication wiring problems.
We will always try to identify the actual cause of the fault rather than simply replacing components.
Do you travel to the vehicle?
Yes. We are a fully mobile auto electrical service.
We travel to customers throughout our normal service area across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, including areas such as Swindon, Cirencester and Stroud.
Our mobile service means you don't necessarily need to arrange recovery to a garage simply because your vehicle has an electrical problem.
We travel to customers throughout our normal service area across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, including areas such as Swindon, Cirencester and Stroud.
Our mobile service means you don't necessarily need to arrange recovery to a garage simply because your vehicle has an electrical problem.
Do you work on all makes and models?
We work on a wide range of cars and light vehicles, but there are some vehicles and types of work that we do not undertake.
Please check our What We Don't Work On page before booking if you are unsure.
Some older vehicles may also need to be assessed individually before we can confirm whether the work is possible.
Please check our What We Don't Work On page before booking if you are unsure.
Some older vehicles may also need to be assessed individually before we can confirm whether the work is possible.
Do you repair ECUs, body control modules and other vehicle modules?
We offer selected ECU cloning, immobiliser and vehicle module services, including certain Ford, Peugeot and Citroën BCM/BSI systems and other specialist modules.
Whether a module can be repaired, cloned or programmed depends on the vehicle and the specific module involved.
Please contact us with the vehicle registration and details of the problem before booking.
Whether a module can be repaired, cloned or programmed depends on the vehicle and the specific module involved.
Please contact us with the vehicle registration and details of the problem before booking.
Can you repair a fault rather than replace the part?
That's exactly what we try to do.
A diagnostic fault code does not automatically mean that the component named by the code is faulty.
We test the system and, where possible, identify whether the actual problem is the component, wiring, power supply, earth, communication network or another related fault.
This approach can save customers considerable amounts of money.
A diagnostic fault code does not automatically mean that the component named by the code is faulty.
We test the system and, where possible, identify whether the actual problem is the component, wiring, power supply, earth, communication network or another related fault.
This approach can save customers considerable amounts of money.
What is the difference between code reading and diagnostics?
Code reading is only one part of the diagnostic process. A fault-code reader can tell us that a vehicle has detected a particular problem, but the code does not necessarily identify the faulty component.
Proper diagnostics involves understanding the fault code, checking the vehicle's systems, carrying out visual inspections and, where necessary, testing wiring, power supplies, earths, sensors and communication networks.
Our aim is to find the cause of the fault rather than simply replace the part named by a fault code.
Proper diagnostics involves understanding the fault code, checking the vehicle's systems, carrying out visual inspections and, where necessary, testing wiring, power supplies, earths, sensors and communication networks.
Our aim is to find the cause of the fault rather than simply replace the part named by a fault code.
Can you diagnose a car that won't start?
Yes. We can diagnose many non-starting and starting faults as part of our mobile diagnostic service.
Depending on the symptoms, we may check the battery and power supplies, starter system, immobiliser system, fuel and ignition systems, engine management and vehicle communication networks.
The exact checks required will depend on the vehicle and the reason it will not start.
Depending on the symptoms, we may check the battery and power supplies, starter system, immobiliser system, fuel and ignition systems, engine management and vehicle communication networks.
The exact checks required will depend on the vehicle and the reason it will not start.
How long does mobile diagnostics take?
The time required depends entirely on the fault.
Some problems can be identified relatively quickly, while intermittent electrical faults, wiring problems and communication faults can require considerably more testing.
We don't work to a fixed time simply to produce a result. Our aim is to carry out enough testing to establish the cause of the problem and explain our findings clearly.
Some problems can be identified relatively quickly, while intermittent electrical faults, wiring problems and communication faults can require considerably more testing.
We don't work to a fixed time simply to produce a result. Our aim is to carry out enough testing to establish the cause of the problem and explain our findings clearly.
Can you repair a fault at the roadside?
Where possible, yes.
As a mobile auto electrician, we can often diagnose and repair electrical faults at your home, workplace or roadside location.
Some repairs can be completed during the initial visit. If specialist parts, additional equipment or more extensive repair work are required, we will explain what is needed and arrange the next stage of the repair.
As a mobile auto electrician, we can often diagnose and repair electrical faults at your home, workplace or roadside location.
Some repairs can be completed during the initial visit. If specialist parts, additional equipment or more extensive repair work are required, we will explain what is needed and arrange the next stage of the repair.
Where do you cover?
We provide a mobile auto electrical service across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, with regular coverage around:
- See our service area
- Swindon
- Cirencester
- Stroud
- Malmesbury
- Royal Wootton Bassett
- surrounding areas
Still Have a Question?
If you can't find the answer you're looking for, contact Car Alarm & Radio Services and we'll be happy to discuss your vehicle and the problem you're experiencing.
Mobile Auto Electrical Specialists
Diagnostics • Electrical Fault Finding • ECU & Module Services • Key Programming
Contact us today to discuss your vehicle.
Mobile Auto Electrical Specialists
Diagnostics • Electrical Fault Finding • ECU & Module Services • Key Programming
Contact us today to discuss your vehicle.