If your car’s air conditioning isn’t as cold as it used to be, or it’s been a few years since your last recharge, book a free air con check at MRC. Also, an Air Con check is included in a Full Service.

To assess whether your air conditioning system is performing efficiently, our trained technician will first record the outside air temperature for accurate reference. We’ll then visually inspect your system and check the drive belt condition and tension (excludes hybrid and electric vehicles). Inside the cabin, a temperature probe is used to measure the coldest vent output. We also check for unpleasant odours, which may suggest the need for a pollen filter replacement or an air con clean/debug. Once complete, we’ll share the results and let you know if a recharge is recommended to improve cooling.

If your car was manufactured before 2014, it likely uses R134A gas. Vehicles made from 1st January 2017 onwards are required to use the more environmentally friendly R1234YF gas, which has a lower impact on global warming.

For cars built between 2014 and 2016, either gas may be required, depending on the manufacturer.

Manufacturers recommend recharging your air con every 2 years to keep it working efficiently. Since air conditioning checks aren’t included in your MOT or standard servicing, it’s important to make AC maintenance part of your regular vehicle care.

If your air con is blowing warm air, works intermittently, or emits unpleasant smells, it may be time for a recharge or an air-con debug.
Recharging can restore cool air, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce strain on your engine, especially on hot days.