Climatisation

MOTRIO garages carry out the full range of car aircon services on all makes and models, including hybrid and electric cars. The service includes aircon regas (R134a or R1234yf depending on the year of the vehicle), system pressure check, leak detection, inspection of the compressor and components, antibacterial disinfection of the ventilation circuit and cabin filter replacement (pollen or activated carbon). Aircon regas prices are confirmed by upfront quote before every job. The service is available by appointment at MOTRIO garages across the UK, with a 1-year warranty on parts and labour.

Book your aircon regas, disinfection or cabin filter replacement directly at your nearest MOTRIO garage. The MOTRIO network covers the whole of the UK, ready to work on any vehicle at the right price, with a 1-year warranty on parts and labour.

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In addition to car air conditioning, MOTRIO garages offer a full range of services for your vehicle. From regular maintenance to the braking system, from tyres to the battery:

• Wiper blades & visibility → wipers, windscreen and bulbs for clear vision

• Vehicle maintenance → full service including cabin filter and check-up

• Electronic diagnostics → diagnosis of AC sensors and electrical faults

• Battery → battery replacement (AC stresses battery in summer)

If your car aircon is not cold — or cools less than it used to — the most common causes are:

• Clogged cabin filter: a filter saturated with dust and pollen reduces airflow and system efficiency; it should be replaced once a year or every 15,000 miles.

• Low refrigerant level: refrigerant gas naturally evaporates over time (around 10–15% per year) and needs an aircon regas to keep the system performing.

• Leaks in the circuit: faulty seals, loose fittings or micro-cracks in the pipes cause refrigerant loss — these only show up with professional leak-detection equipment.

• Faulty sensors: humidity or temperature sensors that fail can make the system regulate output incorrectly or fail to switch on.

• Damaged compressor: if the compressor doesn't engage or makes unusual noises, the system can't compress the gas and stops producing cold air.

• Dirty or damaged condenser: the condenser, in front of the radiator, can get blocked by insects and dirt, reducing heat dissipation.

In all of these cases, a visit to your nearest MOTRIO garage allows the issue to be diagnosed and resolved quickly, avoiding more expensive interventions later — like a full compressor replacement.

Service the system regularly to eliminate unpleasant smells and keep the air conditioning running at peak performance. Recharging the system and changing the cabin filter compensate for gas loss and keep the air quality inside the cabin healthy.

As a general rule:

• Cabin filter: replace every year or every 15,000 miles (sooner if you often drive on rural roads or in high-pollen areas).

• Aircon regas: roughly every 2 years, or when the system starts losing cooling power.

• Antibacterial disinfection: once a year, ideally in spring, before heavy summer use.

• Full diagnostic (compressor, pressure, leaks): every 4 years, or whenever you notice noises, vibrations or a clear drop in performance.

It's a good habit to run the aircon even in winter, at least 10 minutes every couple of weeks: keeping the system moving lubricates the compressor seals and helps prevent leaks and breakdowns. Get a quote at your nearest MOTRIO garage in just a few clicks.

A bad smell from the car aircon (damp, mouldy or sock-like) is one of the most common A/C problems and almost always has the same cause: bacteria and fungi growing on the evaporator, the part of the circuit where moisture builds up every time the system is used. The smell gets worse when the car has been parked or right after switching the aircon on.

The solution is an antibacterial disinfection of the ventilation circuit combined with cabin filter replacement (pollen or activated carbon). To prevent the smell coming back, switch the aircon off one or two minutes before reaching your destination, leaving only the fan running: this lets the evaporator dry out and stops moisture building up.

Yes. In hybrid and electric cars, the aircon compressor is not driven by a belt from the combustion engine but is a high-voltage electric compressor. This lets the system work even when the engine is off or in electric-only mode, but it brings some important differences for servicing:

• Compressor oil is specific (POE type) and not compatible with the mineral oil used in conventional cars: a wrong regas can damage the high-voltage electrical system.

• Refrigerant gas is R1234yf on newer hybrid and electric vehicles.

• Service must be carried out at a garage with technicians specifically trained on high-voltage systems.

• Aircon power draw affects driving range directly: a well-maintained system reduces the number of miles lost on a charge.

MOTRIO technicians are trained to work on air conditioning systems for conventional, hybrid and electric vehicles, using certified equipment and refrigerant gas compliant with current European regulations.