Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent, located in the heart of England, is a bustling city known for its rich industrial heritage. With a population of approximately 260,000, it is one of the largest cities in the West Midlands region.

The most popular cars in Stoke-on-Trent

When it comes to car ownership in Stoke-on-Trent, the data collected reveals some interesting insights. Topping the list as the most popular car in the city is the Ford Focus, a favorite among Stoke-on-Trent residents. Following closely behind are the Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Fiesta, and the BMW 3 Series.

In addition to the aforementioned information, it is worth noting that Stoke-on-Trent residents have a preference for compact and efficient cars that are suitable for urban driving. This aligns with the city's bustling streets and the need for nimble transportation in a busy environment.

Vehicle numbers in Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent boasts a significant number of licensed vehicles, with approximately 180,000 cars registered in the city. This high number reflects the city's reliance on private transportation and the need for efficient and reliable car maintenance services.

Postcodes and suburbs in Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent is divided into several postcodes and suburbs, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the notable areas include ST1 (Hanley, Cobridge, and Shelton), ST4 (Fenton, Longton, and Stoke), ST6 (Tunstall, Burslem, and Smallthorne), and ST8 (Biddulph, Brown Edge, and Endon). These diverse neighborhoods contribute to the vibrant automotive landscape of Stoke-on-Trent.

As a car maintenance platform catering to the needs of Stoke-on-Trent residents, we understand the importance of providing top-notch services to keep their beloved vehicles in optimal condition. Whether it's routine maintenance, MOT testing, or repairs, our platform connects car owners with trusted professionals who are well-versed in the specific requirements of Stoke-on-Trent's automotive landscape.

What does a driveshaft do?

A driveshaft is essentially the component that “drives” a car by transferring power from a car’s engine to its wheels. It has a tubular design and is usually made from aluminium, steel or carbon fibre to ensure it's both strong and lightweight.

Front-wheel drive vehicles don’t usually have driveshafts. However, because in four wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles the gearbox and differential are separate units, the driveshaft is needed to transmit the turning motion of the gearbox to the differential. As the output shaft of the gearbox rotates it spins the driveshaft, which then turns the differential ring gear to rotate the wheels.

Driveshafts are a very precisely balanced and weighted component because they rotate at very high speeds in order to turn the wheels. When the driveshaft has an issue, it can instantly affect the drivability of the vehicle.

How often should a driveshaft need replacing?

There is no set lifespan of a driveshaft, but it shouldn’t need to be replaced for at least 75,000 miles, unless it gets damaged. It’s important to note that this can vary a lot depending on the car, driving style and habits. The driveshaft will need to be replaced sooner if it gets damaged. Because driveshafts are very precisely balanced and weighted, when there is an issue, it will instantly affect the drivability of the car.

What happens during a driveshaft repair?

Our certified mechanics will:

• Safely jack the car so they can inspect the driveshaft.

• Replace the faulty or damaged driveshaft if necessary.

• Check any related components and advise if any need to be replaced.

• Double check the drive assembly and test drive the car.

• Make any final adjustments, if needed.

What causes a driveshaft to break?

Since drive shafts must rotate very quickly in order to do their job, they must remain weighted down and balanced exactly right. Therefore even the slightest damage will prevent the drive shafts from operating properly. This damage is usually due to an accident or can occur whilst driving over a bump or pothole. In most cases, when the driveshaft becomes damaged the car will become very bumpy and difficult to handle.

When should a driveshaft be replaced?

While there is no set lifespan of a driveshaft, it shouldn’t need to be replaced for at least 75,000 miles. It’s important to note that this can vary a lot depending on the car, driving style and habits.

The driveshaft will need to be replaced sooner if it gets damaged. Because driveshafts are very precisely balanced and weighted, when there is an issue, it will instantly affect the drivability of the car.

What are the symptoms of a bad driveshaft?

Usually, there a few signs you can look for:

• Scraping, squeaking and rattling sounds from underneath your car.

• Problems when turning your car is a tell-tale sign of a bad driveshaft.

• Intense vibrations coming from underneath the car.

• A significant shudder when accelerating from low speed or a stopped position.

What happens during a driveshaft repair?

Our certified mechanics will:

• Safely jack the car so they can inspect the driveshaft.

• Replace the faulty or damaged driveshaft if necessary.

• Check any related components and advise if any need to be replaced.

• Double check the drive assembly and test drive the car.

• Make any final adjustments, if needed.

What is the average life of a driveshaft?

There is no set lifespan of a driveshaft, but it shouldn’t need to be replaced for at least 75,000 miles, unless it gets damaged. It’s important to note that this can vary a lot depending on the car, driving style and habits.

Can you drive with a bad driveshaft?

Driving with a bad driveshaft is not recommended. A damaged or faulty driveshaft will severely affect the drivability of your vehicle, making it very difficult to handle and potentially dangerous on the roads. If your driveshaft is damaged you will experience issues when turning, shuddering when accelerating and intense vibrations when driving.

What happens if you don't replace a bad driveshaft?

Failing to replace a bad driveshaft could result in further, more expensive, damage to the car. If you begin to experience any of the above symptoms, we recommend having your driveshaft inspected and replaced if necessary. Having your car regularly serviced will ensure that any issues related to the driveshaft are picked up and dealt with early.