What is a winter health check?

A winter health check is a series of tests and safety checks carried out by a trained mechanic. These checks include assessments of your tyres, fluids, lights and battery and are a great way to prepare your car for colder weather and frosty conditions.

Kia

Kia Motors Corporation (widely known as Kia Motors) is South Korea’s second-largest automobile manufacturer, behind their parent company, the Hyundai Motor Company.

They were initially established in December 1944, over 70 years ago, as a steel tubing and bicycle parts manufacturer who started building cars in the 1970s.

Coming from a background of building cars under licence for the likes of Fiat, Mazda and Peugeot, it wasn’t until the 1980s when Kia started to produce vehicles under their own brand name, and only more recently were they to become minority owned by Hyundai, who currently holds a 33.88% stake in the company, in 2015.

How popular is Kia in the United Kingdom?

From the mid-1990s, the amount of Kia cars on UK roads has seen a steady increase to the current number of around 800k today.

Given their reliability, value for money and market-leading 7-year, 100k mile warranty, Kia is a marque that is heading for further popularity, greater sales and added respect.

Superb value for money

With an extensive range of models to choose from, Kia cars offer excellent value. From their city car Picanto starting at under £10k, through to their luxury spec SUV Sorento at £30k, Kia cars compete with more established mainstream brands, offering not only strong price-points but with advanced levels of technology and the extended benefits you’d expect from a car of a higher price.

Kia Sportage: The 10th best selling car in the UK

Given the rise in growth of the Korean car brand, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see its best selling model sneak into the top 10 best selling cars of 2018. This great value and practical SUV is ideal for family motoring; not only is it rugged and good looking, but it’s also backed with Kia’s impressive reliability and extensive warranty.

Does a winter health check replace my car service?

No, you should still keep up with your car's regular servicing schedule, regardless of whether you get a winter health check. A winter health check does not include as many checks as a service, but is a great way to prepare your car for the cold. The checks will still be carried out by a trained technician and will go a long way in ensuring your car remains safe and roadworthy.

What does a winter health check involve?

• Antifreeze level check and top up

• Oil level check

• Screen wash check and top up

• Tyre tread and pressure checks

• Wiper blade condition check

• Battery load test

• Full lights check

What are the signs that my car needs a winter health check?

It's always a good idea to ensure that your car is safe and reliable for the colder season by having it looked at by a trusted mechanic. Even if you think there are no issues with your car, the winter conditions can prove challenging for many vehicles. Some tell-tale signs that your car should be checked are:

• If your car struggles to start

• Your tyres have been slipping of skidding more than usual

• You've noticed issues with your engine's performance

• Your car lights aren't as bright as they used to be

• You've noticed issues with your wipers or screen washing system