5 Signs Your Car Needs Immediate Service

Your car works hard every day, and it’s important to keep an eye out for when it needs some TLC.

Ignoring these warnings can turn small problems into big, expensive ones.

At Northside Autohaus, we’ve seen it all, and we’re here to help you understand when your car might need urgent servicing. Here are the top five signs to look out for.

Warning Lights on the Dashboard

It’s a simple sign, but it’s not one to ignore. When a warning light comes on, it’s your car’s way of telling you something is wrong.

For Audi and Volkswagen owners, this could include specific lights like the “Check Engine” or “Service Now” indicators.

These lights often point to underlying issues with your engine, oil pressure, or even your brakes. Ignoring them could lead to more serious problems, so it’s best to get your car checked as soon as possible.

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Strange Noises

Unusual noises are never a good sign. If you hear:

Squealing brakes
It likely means your brake pads are worn out.

Knocking from the engine
It could be a sign of serious internal damage.

Humming or whining
Which might suggest transmission or wheel bearing issues. .

Audi and Volkswagen cars are known for their precision engineering, so strange sounds can be more noticeable and shouldn’t be ignored. Getting your car inspected quickly can save you from costly repairs down the line.

Smoke or Unusual Smells

Seeing smoke or smelling something unusual is a sign to stop driving and seek help immediately. For example:

Blue or white smoke
From the exhaust may mean an oil or coolant leak.

Burning smells
Could indicate overheating or worn-out electrical components.

Fuel odours
Might point to a fuel system issue, which can be dangerous.

These issues can escalate quickly, so don’t delay in getting professional advice.

Trouble Starting the Engine

If your car is struggling to start or not starting at all, it’s a clear sign something is wrong.

For high-performance vehicles like Audis and Volkswagens, the most common causes include:

A week battery

Faulty spark plugs or ignition coils.

Problems with the fuel delivery system.

Addressing these issues early can prevent more significant breakdowns. Don’t wait until you’re stranded.

Vibrations or Unstable Handling

If your car vibrates while driving or feels unstable, it’s a sign of trouble. Common causes include:

Uneven tyre wear or suspension issues.

Wheel alignment problems, making the car pull to one side.

Brake concerns, especially if the vibrations occur when braking.

For Audi and Volkswagen drivers, these signs can impact the precise handling these vehicles are known for. Fixing these problems early ensures a safer, smoother ride.

Don’t Wait—Get Professional Service at Northside Autohaus

At Northside Autohaus, we specialise in spotting and fixing these issues before they become major problems. With years of experience servicing Audi, Volkswagen, and other vehicles, we know exactly what to look for and how to fix it quickly and efficiently.

Don’t let small problems turn into costly repairs. Whether it’s a dashboard warning light, unusual noise, or anything else, our expert team is here to help.

Book your service at Northside Autohaus today and keep your car running smoothly and safely!

What our customers say about us

Denise Goldhahn

20:04 11 Feb 26

I honestly can’t recommend North Side Autohaus Brookvale highly enough. The service is absolutely amazing, professional, honest, and genuinely customer-focused from start to finish.

The team is knowledgeable, friendly, and take the time to explain everything clearly without any pressure. You can tell they really care about doing the job properly. Their pricing is also very competitive, which makes the whole experience even better.

This is now the only place I’ll be taking my car for any servicing or repairs. Great team, great service, and great value. Highly recommend!

Arthur Roosevelt

22:45 02 Nov 25

I recently took my 2014 VW Golf here for a timing belt replacement and some other minor service work. Their price was very competitive, and Romeo's communication was great. Very satisfied with their work, and as an unexpected bonus they thoroughly cleaned and washed my car afterwards. Would definitely recommend these guys.

Simon D

14:05 16 Jul 25

Chose them as Audi VW specialists as they market them selves this way to create a niche. They did run diagnostics and did the job seemingly well, no blow back yet. The problem is one of the operators attitude. It was unprofessional and unappealing. They claimed my car would be ready at 11:30am, when i arrived he abruptly told me it’s not ready, i asked when. To which he replied when its done! They finished at 12pm and test drove for 15 mins which seemed like forever. I asked when is my car coming back after 15 mins of the car disappearing. He again was abrupt and used a gruff tone stating he’s gone for a test drive and he’ll back when he’s done. It was really unfortunate experience, a rude demeanour, grunting and lack of empathy. I won’t tolerate bad attitudes when i’m the customer paying good $ doesn’t matter if the work is reliable. 1st and last time.

Matt Savage

10:58 16 Jul 25

I take all my cars to Jeff and Romeo as they high standard of work and do best job honestly with fair prices. Matt

Simon Von-Limont

09:54 30 Apr 25

Noemi Bull

03:52 25 Mar 24

Great service

Joel Phillips

07:10 03 Jan 24

Jeff was incredible to deal with. Gave us a loan car at a time I was in desperate need. Extremely good service.

Paula Brennan

01:42 24 Jul 23

Amazing team! Great mechanics and honest with pricing and outcomes! So good

Yolanda Bensdorp

22:20 26 Jun 23

Romeo and his team was very professional and helpful and did a great job on my car

Michael Christie

23:43 22 Jun 23

Friendly and thorough.

Nicola Baker

23:17 15 Nov 22

Could not be happier with Northside Autohaus. From my fist point of call speaking with Romeo, he was quick to fit me in as my Audi Q5 was leaking adblue liquid and needed urgent attention. When arriving at Autohause, Romeo was there to greet my with kindness and respect. He called as soon as they had found the problem and made recommendations with openness and honesty on costings and timelines.
Fantastic customer service all the way through to the end. I will definitely be visiting Northside Autohaus for all my service and repairs from now on. Highly recommend Autohaus.
Nicola

Vlado Markovic

09:41 18 Oct 22

Romeo and the team serviced my Audi A8 to my great satisfaction. This was second time I serviced my car here and I am as happy as I was first time. Quality work and friendly service that is hard to find these days. Would like to recommend Northside Autohaus to any Audi, BMW or VW owner.

Martin Andrew

01:02 27 Aug 22

This week was our second annual service at Northside Autohaus, last year our near 10yr Golf TSI required some semi major servicing with water pump, belts, engine mounts etc (as to be expected with age and kms on the clock), thankfully this year a simple service, wheel balance and tyre rotation to ensure even wear and fuel efficiency, along a quick repair to the rear window washer water line which had broken in the section between the car body and tailgate (another semi common VW fault).

Romeo was helpful as always to discuss any issues or concerns with the vehicle, reach out and call to confirm once the team had inspected the vehicle and what they found, providing an accurate quote and ensuring the vehicle was ready that afternoon (with a clean and vacuum also completed!). Thanks Northside Autohaus for the great service.

Kerem Koş

02:50 25 Mar 22

My Audi Q7 had a sticky and complicated problem. Jeff and his team were able to locate the root cause and fix it. The team was helpful and friendly. I am happy with the service and highly recommend them.

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