Most of us know how to drive a car, but how much do you know about what goes on under the bonnet? The good news is that you don’t have to be a professional grease monkey to keep your car in good shape. There are plenty of basic DIY jobs you can do to ensure your car is safe, legal, reliable and avoid any nasty surprises when it’s MOT time.

Routine checks

Make it a habit. Allocate some time on the weekend, every weekend, for these easy checks. If you check your car regularly you’re more likely to pick up any problems before they get too serious.

• Most modern cars come with engine covers. You should only touch a part if it is coloured yellow, everything else should be left to a qualified mechanic.

• Oil

Experts recommend you check your oil level every 500 miles or weekly. Most cars have two marks on the oil gauge. The oil level should be somewhere in-between the two. Your car owner’s manual will tell you how much oil you need to top up with. It’s generally between 0.5 and 1 litre. Don’t pour the whole amount in at once. Pour in a bit at a time. Let is rest for five to ten minutes, check the level again and add more if necessary. If your car is using a lot of oil, you may have a problem with the engine. It would pay to get it checked out as soon as possible.

• Coolant

If your car cooling system is sealed, you will not be able to check it. However, you can and should check the water level to prevent overheating. The best time to check your engine is when it’s cold. Never check it when it’s hot. If the radiator cap is warm, use a cloth to remove it. You should be able to see water in the radiator and it should cover the level mark. Check your car owner’s manual for more details.

• Wipers

Are the blades in good condition? Replace wiper blades that have perished or frayed. To clean your wipers, dip a cloth in screen wash and wipe it across the edge of the blade.

• Tyres

Check your tyres when they are cool. Hot tyres have increased pressure and will give a false reading. Your car owner’s manual will have the recommended pressure for both front and rear tyres, and if your car is light or loaded down i.e. you have five passengers or just one.

Inspect the condition of your tyres. Look for signs of wear, cuts in the tread or sidewalls and bulges in the sidewalls. Remove stones and foreign objects that are wedged into the tread grooves.

The tread on your tyres must be at least 1.6mm deep across the central three-quarters of the tyre tread width and around the outer circumference. Remember to check the tread depth on your spare.

• Lights

Get a friend to help you check that all the lights are working. You can test the lights by yourself if you have to by using the reflection in a shop window.

• Clean & tidy

Give your car a good clean every few weeks or at a push, months. While you’re giving it a wash, examine the bodywork for problems, faults or leaks.

Now that you understand the basics of car DIY, you can keep your car in good shape. Another essential item for your car is car insurance. Most car insurance companies offer quick and easy motor insurance quotes online.