Honest Car Care Since Day One
Hamilton's Trusted Local Mechanics
At Marshall Automotive, we believe getting your car serviced shouldn't be stressful. No jargon, no pressure, no unnecessary work — just qualified mechanics who treat your vehicle like their own and give you straight answers every time.
As part of the Marshall Transmissions & Automotive family, we combine everyday mechanical expertise with access to one of New Zealand's most experienced transmission workshops, all under one roof in Frankton, Hamilton.
What We Do
From your annual WOF to a full vehicle service, brake repairs to suspension work, we handle all aspects of general mechanical care for cars, vans, and utes of all makes and models. Japanese imports, European vehicles, American cars — if it's got wheels, we can work on it.
Our general mechanical services include:
- Warrant of Fitness (WOF) inspections
- Full vehicle servicing
- Brake repairs and replacements
- Steering and suspension repairs
- Diagnostic scanning and fault finding
- Battery testing and replacement
- Cooling system repairs
- Electrical fault diagnosis
- Pre-purchase vehicle inspections
- General repairs and maintenance
Warrant of Fitness (WOF)
Your WOF is more than just a legal requirement — it's a safety check that keeps you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road safe. Our qualified inspectors carry out thorough WOF checks in line with New Zealand Transport Agency requirements and will walk you through anything that needs attention before issuing or declining your certificate.
If your vehicle needs work to pass its WOF, we can often carry out the repairs on the same day. And we'll never recommend work that isn't genuinely needed.
What gets checked in a WOF:
- Brakes and brake fluid
- Tyres (condition, tread depth, pressure)
- Lights and indicators
- Steering and suspension
- Windscreen and wipers
- Seatbelts and airbags
- Chassis and body structure
- Exhaust system
Vehicle Servicing
Regular servicing is the single best investment you can make in your vehicle. It protects your engine, maintains safety, keeps your fuel efficiency up, and can add years to the life of your car.
We service all makes and models to manufacturer specifications, using quality oils, fluids, and filters suited to your vehicle.
Our standard service includes:
Engine oil and filter change
All fluid levels checked and topped up
Air filter inspection
Tyre pressure and condition check
Brake inspection front and rear
Visual check of belts, hoses, lights, and wipers
Battery test
General safety inspection
Not sure whether your car needs a minor, major, or full service? Give us a call and we'll help you figure out what's right based on your vehicle's age and mileage.
Brakes
Your brakes are the most important safety system on your vehicle. If you notice any of the following, don't wait — get them checked:
- Squealing, grinding, or scraping when braking
- The car pulling to one side when you brake
- A soft or spongy feel through the brake pedal
- The brake pedal sitting lower than usual
- Vibration through the pedal or steering wheel when stopping
- The brake warning light illuminated on your dash
We inspect, repair, and replace brake pads, rotors, callipers, brake lines, and master cylinders across all makes and models. We'll show you what we find and explain your options before any work begins.
Steering & Suspension
Good suspension keeps your tyres in contact with the road, and good steering keeps you in control. Both are critical for safe driving, and both wear over time.
Signs your steering or suspension may need attention:
- The car bouncing or wallowing over bumps
- Pulling to one side on a straight road
- Uneven tyre wear
- Clunking, knocking, or creaking noises over bumps
- A loose or vague feeling through the steering wheel
- The car sitting lower on one corner
We inspect and repair the full system, shock absorbers, struts, ball joints, tie rod ends, bushes, mounts, and steering racks. We'll give you an honest assessment and only recommend what's genuinely needed.
Diagnostics
Modern vehicles have sophisticated onboard computer systems that monitor everything from engine performance to emissions and safety systems. When something goes wrong, these systems log a fault code, but interpreting those codes accurately, and knowing what they mean, takes experience and the right equipment.
Our team uses professional diagnostic tools to scan your vehicle's systems, interpret fault codes in context, and identify the actual cause of a problem, not just the symptom. That means fewer unnecessary parts replacements and more accurate repairs.
Whether it's a check engine light, a dashboard warning, or something that just doesn't feel right, bring it in and we'll get to the bottom of it.
Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Servicing
The number of EVs and hybrid vehicles on New Zealand roads is growing fast, and servicing needs for these vehicles are different from conventional petrol or diesel cars. While they still require regular maintenance — tyre rotations, brake inspections, cabin air filters, and fluid checks — they also have high-voltage systems, battery management considerations, and regenerative braking systems that require trained technicians to work on safely.
At Marshall Automotive, we service a range of hybrid and electric vehicles for general maintenance and safety inspections, including WOF checks. We'll always be upfront about what we can and can't do for your specific vehicle, and if specialist EV work falls outside our scope, we'll point you in the right direction rather than guess.
Hybrid and EV servicing we carry out includes:
- WOF inspections
- Tyre rotation and replacement
- Brake inspection and replacement (including regenerative brake systems)
- Cabin air filter replacement
- Coolant system checks (including battery cooling)
- 12V auxiliary battery testing and replacement
- General safety inspections
Note: High-voltage battery pack repairs and replacement require specialist EV certification. We'll advise you clearly if your vehicle needs work that falls into this category.
Batteries
A flat battery is one of the most common causes of breakdowns in New Zealand — and one of the easiest things to fix proactively. If your car is slow to crank on cold mornings, you're jump-starting more than you should be, or your battery is more than 3–4 years old, it's worth having it tested.
We carry out fast, accurate battery load tests and stock quality replacement batteries to suit most makes and models. In most cases we can test and replace your battery while you wait.
Pre-Purchase Inspections
Thinking about buying a used car? A pre-purchase inspection could save you thousands. Our mechanics carry out thorough checks to identify existing faults, upcoming maintenance, signs of accident damage, and anything else that could affect the vehicle's safety or value.
We'll give you a clear, written report so you can negotiate with confidence — or walk away if the car isn't what it's claimed to be.
Your authorised repairer
We Work With Your Insurer or Lender
Unexpected repair bills happen. We work with a range of providers to make it easier to get your car sorted:
- WINZ (Work & Income)
- Autosure
- Provident Insurance
- Protecta / Assurant Insurance
- Janssen
- Quest Insurance
- MTF Finance
We're also an authorised repairer for many insurers, which means we can liaise with your insurance company directly and handle the paperwork on your behalf.
Courtesy cars are available (subject to availability) - just ask when you book.
FIND OUT MORE
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I get my car serviced?
Most vehicles should be serviced every 10,000km or every 12 months, whichever comes first. Older vehicles or those used in demanding conditions - towing, short trips, stop-start driving - may benefit from more frequent servicing. If you're unsure what your car needs, bring it in and we'll check the service history and advise based on its age and mileage.
How long does a WOF take?
A standard WOF inspection takes about an hour. If your vehicle needs repairs to pass, we'll let you know straight away and give you a clear estimate before any work begins. In many cases we can carry out the repairs the same day.
What happens if my car fails its WOF?
We'll walk you through exactly what failed and why. You'll receive a rejection notice detailing the items that need to be addressed. Once the repairs are done - whether with us or elsewhere - your vehicle can be re-inspected. If you have the repairs carried out with us, we'll re-check the failed items at no additional charge.
Do you work on all makes and models
Yes. We service and repair cars, vans, and utes of all makes and models, including Japanese imports, European vehicles, and American cars. If you have a question about a specific vehicle, give us a call and we'll confirm before you book.
How do I know if my brakes need replacing?
Common signs include squealing or grinding when you brake, the car pulling to one side, a soft or spongy brake pedal, vibration through the pedal or steering wheel when stopping, or the brake warning light coming on. If you notice any of these, get them checked as soon as possible. Brakes are not something to delay on.
Do you offer courtesy cars while my car is being repaired?
Courtesy cars are available subject to availability. Just mention it when you book and we'll do our best to have one ready for you.
Can you help if my car wont start?
Yes. A no-start can be caused by a flat or failed battery, a faulty starter motor, fuel system issues, or an electrical fault. Bring it in or call us and we'll diagnose the problem. If your battery is the culprit, we can usually test and replace it while you wait.
Do you do pre-purchase inspections?
Yes. A pre-purchase inspection is one of the best investments you can make before buying a used vehicle. Our mechanics carry out a thorough check covering existing faults, upcoming maintenance, signs of accident damage, and anything that could affect safety or value. You'll receive a clear report so you can buy with confidence - or walk away if something doesn't stack up.