Seven jobs · one van

Services

What each visit usually costs in time, and what to have ready so it costs less. Every one of these is done where the vehicle is sitting.

New tyres

Most of the visit is the wait on the size, not the irons.

Have ready: The size on the wall of the tyre, and a bit of room beside the vehicle.

Finding the hole takes longer than sealing it.

Have ready: Where it went down, and whether it still holds enough air to hop onto a jack.

With the key it is a short job. Without it, the visit stretches while the nut is drawn off.

Have ready: The locking key if you still have it, and which wheel has the nut.

They roll after a puncture. They still need a proper tyre before the next motorway.

Have ready: The size, and how far it has been driven since the warning.

A commercial size is a longer lift, especially on twins.

Have ready: The size and load index, and whether it is a single or a twin wheel.

Cables are quick. A battery that will not hold is a different visit.

Have ready: Where the bonnet can open, and whether it died on the first turn or after a short sit.

The clock is the wait for a bed that fits the vehicle, not a promise in minutes.

Have ready: Make, whether it is driveable, and if it is on a live lane or a car park.