Show me tell me

Question 1

Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey

Answer 1

Test your brakes as you set off and they should not feel spongy or slack, and the car should not pull to one side

Question 2

Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked

Answer 2

Look in the car user’s manual (usually in the glove box)

Check the tyre pressure with a reliable pressure gauge, making sure the tyres are cold to get an accurate reading

Check the spare tyre too

Check the valve caps are back on

Question 3

Tell me how you would make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it priovides the best protection in the event of a crash

Answer 3

Reach up behind you and move it up and down

The rigid part of the head rest should be in line with your eyes

Question 4

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 4

The centre 3/4 of the tyre’s width needs to have a tread depth of 1.6mm all the way round

There should be no cuts or bulges in the surface

Question 5

Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tailights are working

Answer 5

Turn on the headlights and then say that you would walk around the vehicle to check they’re working

Question 6

Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your ABS

Answer 6

If there is a problem, the ABS light will light up on the dashboard

Question 7

Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working

Answer 7

Switch on the ignition

Flick the indicators up and down and point at the lit up arrows on the dashboard

Say you would get out of the car and walk around it to check

Question 8

Tell me how you would check the brake lights are working

Answer 8

Press the footbrake down and ask someone to check, or use a reflection

Question 9

Tell me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working

Answer 9

Turn the steering wheel slightly with the engine off (you’ll feel a lot of resistance) and then turn the engine on

Say you would feel the steering loosen up and the wheel would go round a little

Also check by turning the steering wheel slightly after moving off - it will feel heavy if it’s not working

Question 10

Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog lights and explain when you’d use it

Answer 10

Turn on the ignition and dipped beams, then rear fog lights and show that the dash light is on

Use them when visibility is low (<100m)

Question 11

Tell me how you’d switch your headlights from dipped –> main beam and explain how you’d know it was on

Answer 11

Turn on ignition and dipped beams, then switch to full beam and point to dash light

Question 12

Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check the engine has sufficient oil

Answer 12

Point to the dipstick / oil level indicator and explain how you indicate the level

With a dipstick, you’d take it out and wipe it, then put it back and take it out again to check the level against the min and max

Then put it back

Question 13

Tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant

Answer 13

Find the coolant tank and point to the min and max markings

Unscrew the cap and top up to the correct level if needed

Do it when the engine is cold, to make sure it is safe

Question 14

Tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid

Answer 14

Point to where the brake fluid reservoir is and explain how you would check the level against the min and max