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Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs is serving the South for over 35 years with honest car service and competitive prices on your automotive spare parts and repairs.

The service centre has extensive machinery on site for rebuilding engines and gear boxes as well as head facing, valve grinding, flywheel and brake disc machining, along with exhaust and steering repairs or replacements. Keep in mind, we include a cooling system check with all our services. At Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs you will find that customer satisfaction is the first priority at our car service. 

Car service also available on Saturdays by appointment.

Win a share of over $8,000 in prizes with Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs and Repco Authorised Service From 1 June to 30 September 2025, service your vehicle at Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs and you can enter the Love Your Car promotion and win from a pool of exciting prizes. Prizes to Be Won 5 x $1,000 Repco Authorised Service vouchers
Redeemable at any participating Repco Authorised Service centre nationwide. 25 x $100 fuel gift cards
Perfect for your next road trip or daily drive. 5 x Supercars merchandise packs
Valued at $100 each.

Total prize pool valued at up to $8,100 including GST. How to Enter To participate: Book and complete a vehicle service at any Repco Authorised Service centre during the promotional period. Visit repcoservice.com  Tell us in 25 words or less why you deserve to win a Love Your Car prize. Upload your receipt Submit your entry online before 11:59pm AEST on 30 September 2025.

From 1 June to 30 September 2025, service your vehicle at a Repco Authorised Service centre and YOU could win big in the Love Your Car promotion

Love Your Car & Win

Maintaining your car’s battery is essential for ensuring reliable performance, especially if you’ve been noticing starting issues. At Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs in Hackham, we offer free battery testing for your convenience, helping you diagnose potential problems before they leave you stranded. Regular battery maintenance is key to keeping your vehicle in top condition, and our experienced team is here to help. Impact of Cold Weather on Battery Performance Cold weather can significantly impact your car’s battery performance. As temperatures drop, the chemical reactions inside the battery slow down, reducing its ability to hold a charge and deliver power. Additionally, the increased strain of starting your engine in the cold requires more energy, which can quickly drain a weak or ageing battery. That’s why it’s crucial to have your battery regularly tested during the colder months to ensure it’s in peak condition. Symptoms of Battery Failure Recognising the signs of a failing battery can save you from unexpected breakdowns. Common symptoms include:  

- Slow engine cranking when starting your car.  
- Dim headlights or interior lights.  
- Flickering dashboard lights.  
- Issues with electrical features such as the radio or power windows.  

If you notice any of these issues, visit Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs in Hackham for a comprehensive battery test. Parts Affected by a Failing Battery A failing battery doesn’t just make it harder to start your car; it can affect several other components that rely on electrical current. These include: 

- Starter motor: A weak battery may not provide sufficient power to engage the starter motor. 
- Alternator: Overworking the alternator to compensate for a failing battery can lead to premature wear. 
- Electrical systems: Devices such as headlights, infotainment systems, and power accessories may malfunction. Battery Testing and Inspection Process At Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs in Hackham, our battery testing and inspection process is designed to give you peace of mind. Using advanced diagnostic equipment, we assess your battery’s voltage, capacity, and overall condition. Our technicians check for signs of corrosion on terminals, inspect the battery casing for damage, and test the charging system to ensure your vehicle is functioning efficiently. Importance of Regular Battery Testing Car batteries typically last around three to five years, but their lifespan can vary depending on driving habits and conditions. Batteries over three years old should be tested regularly to avoid sudden failure. Ignoring the signs of a weak battery can leave you stranded and lead to costly repairs. Regular testing at Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs ensures your battery is ready when you need it most. Other Potential Starting Problems It’s important to remember that starting issues aren’t always caused by the battery. Faulty starter motors or alternators can also lead to starting problems. At Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs in Hackham, we specialise in diagnosing and repairing these issues. If your car isn’t starting as it should, bring it to us for a thorough assessment. For professional battery services and reliable car maintenance, contact Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs in Hackham today. Trust our team to keep your vehicle running smoothly all year round.

Free battery testing in Hackham by Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs. Supply, fitting, and expert diagnostics for all car batteries. Contact us for reliable car servicing and maintenance.

Ensure Your Car Battery Starts Every Time with Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs share many of the mechanical issues they see in their Hackham workshop that can occur in your vehicle and why it's important to have your car regularly serviced.  These are issues 'you should be aware of' to keep your car running in the best condition. Follow us on Facebook Timing Belt Deterioration The main role the TIMING BELT (also known as Cam Belt) is to control the timing and sequence of when the valves to the cylinders open and close.  To do that, it makes sure that the crankshaft and the camshaft rotate in sync. The engine’s camshaft controls the valves, letting fuel and air in and out. The crankshaft moves the pistons up and down at the same time. These 2 actions must be synchronised to avoid damage to the valves, pistons or other engine parts. It is important to replace the Timing Belt at the correct interval, whether by kilometres, or time. The following photo's are of a severely cracked Timing Belt that was due for replacement 12 months prior, but had not reached the kilometre interval. This belt could have snapped at any time and without warning. If the cam belt snaps while you are driving, the engine could seize up, causing steering and brakes to fail. The pistons can hit the valves in the cylinders, damaging the engine resulting in a very costly repair. Oil Sludge Build up Normal engine combustion creates gases, water vapor, fuel fragments and acids inside the engine. These are held in suspension in the motor oil. If the oil is changed at regular intervals, most of the sludge particles are drained away with the used oil.  However, if the oil is not changed regularly, over time the by-products form sludge. Sludge build-up within your engine can cause:- restriction to the oil pick up blockage of the oil filter reduced engine lubrication a decrease in engine performance increase in engine noise reduced fuel efficiency  reduced cooling ability of the oil causing an increased strain on the cooling system We recommend regular engine oil and oil filter replacement. In vehicles with low regular mileage, we also recommend the use of an engine flush additive before replacing the engine oil. Speak to our team to see what is best for your vehicle. Inlet / Intake Manifold The INLET / INTAKE MANIFOLD supplies the fuel/air mixture to the cylinders. Even distribution of this mixture is important to optimize the efficiency and performance of the engine. A clogged MANIFOLD can affect the power and efficient performance of your engine.

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs share many of the common issues they deal with on a regular basis in their Hackham automotive workshop.

Mechanical Problems to Avoid

CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE is usually caused due to no engine oil in the system. This is a major safety issue, as this damage will happen while the car is occupied and moving. Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs recently diagnosed and repaired a vehicle which had this exact situation occur. We explain what happened to the engine. The big end bearing turns the reciprocal motion of the piston into the rotating motion of the crankshaft. It has a bearing lining the inner circumference, which is made up of two pieces that slot together. There’s also a hole in the main body of the con rod, through which oil is supplied to keep the bearing lubricated. The bearing is made of a softer material than the rod itself. If the bearing is allowed to wear excessively - something which can happen if oil levels are too low - the bearing will be compromised, allowing for the big end to move around more than it’s supposed to, producing a knocking sound. If the bearing is not replaced, a rod failure will eventually happen, possibly with the rod splitting between the big and small ends. This will result in the crank smashing one half of the broken part through the crankcase.  The steel con rod,  is often subjected to large and repetitive forces:
- shear forces due to the angle between the piston and the crankpin, 
- compression forces as the piston moves downwards, and 
- tensile forces as the piston moves upwards. Failure of a con rod often forces the broken rod through the side of the crankcase and thereby rendering the engine irreparable. Catastrophic Damage can be avoided by regularly checking engine oil levels and having oil leaks repaired. If in any doubt about your car's health contact us and make a booking to have your vehicle inspected.

CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE is usually caused due to no engine oil in the system. This is a major safety issue, as this damage will happen while the car is occupied and moving. Contact Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs today to hae your car system checked out.

What can cause Catastrophic Damage to your Car?

Log Book Servicing is a proactive approach to car maintenance where regular inspections and small fixes keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently to prevent small problems turning into major damage and issues which could otherwise be very costly to repair. Every passenger car (and most commercials vehicles) should be issued with a “Log Book” by the manufacturer, which lays out the specified timing and agenda for your regular log book services. You should keep your log book in your glove box for reference and recording any details, but Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs can also refer to our database to get the required information if you've misplaced your book. The schedule of the service will be a combination of both time or distance. You may be tempted to delay your next log book service because your car is probably still driveable and it may not have reached BOTH the time and distance measures. While you obviously need to find availability in your budget and schedule, don't delay too long because wear and tear on the car will increase exponentially and could lead to damage which is many times more expensive than the log book service would have been. What's included? Every car is different and the agenda for each service changes according to the schedule, which is why each vehicle is issued with a log book. Here are some examples of what can be included: Change Oil Check Coolant Check Car Battery Check Transmission Fluid Check Brake Fluid Check the Condition of the Air Filter Check Power Steering Fluid Check Spark Plugs Check Turn Signals Check Brake Lights Check Heating System Brake Check Belt Check Hose Check Tyre Rotation Coolant Sensor  For a qualified Log Book Service at a competitive price, contact us at Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs using the links below. Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs can service customers in Hackham and the surrounding areas. Get more information in Repco's Auto Facts videos: Service Intervals
New Car Warranties

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs know that every car is different and the agenda for each service changes according to the schedule, which is why each vehicle is issued with a log book. While you obviously need to find availability in your budget and schedule, don't delay too long because...

What is a log book service?

To help you understand Log Book servicing and learn more about Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs in Hackham, please read the questions and answers below: What is a Log Book Service? A Log Book service maintains your vehicle to the manufacturer’s requirement for regular replacement of filters and fluids.   Why do I need a log book service? Maintaining regular service intervals ensures your vehicle not only functions at it’s top capability, but also maintains the new car warranty. What happens if I miss a Service? The manufacturer may deny a warranty claim should one arise. Do you have Loan cars and how much do they cost? We have two automatic loan cars which are available for a small daily fee. Will I lose my New Car Warranty if I don't go back to the dealer? No.  There is no requirement under the Australian Consumer Law for a vehicle to be serviced by an authorized dealer in order for the consumer guarantees and manufacturer’s warranty to apply, provided the service is accordance with the specified requirements by a qualified mechanic or service centre. Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs is fully qualified to service new vehicles. We have more information on this for you in our article. Please click here. I have lost my Log Book, do I need it? No.  We can follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for servicing intervals. Do you provide Digital reports for the work you have done? or a digital report of what's wrong with my car? Yes.  At your request, we can email you the invoice/report of the service or repair of your car as well has giving you a paper copy when you collect your vehicle. How long will the service take? Servicing times differ depending on the vehicle and which service interval is required.   How much will my service cost? Servicing costs differ depending on the vehicle and which service interval is required.   We will always get your authorization before commencing any work. How can I pay for my Service? We accept all major credit cards or cash. When are you Open? Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. What is the earliest time I can bring my car in? You can drop off your car at 8am to our Hackham workshop, or we can arrange for day before drop off if that suits you better. Can I drop off my car after hours? Please call us to make suitable arrangements for after hours vehicle drop off. Can I collect my car after hours? Please call us to make suitable arrangements. Can you drop me home when I deliver my car for servicing or repair? We are happy to drop you home within a 5km radius of the Hackham workshop. What happens if something is not right after my car service? Not completely happy? Bring the car back and we will ensure the vehicle is performing correctly. We take great pride in our work, but if something doesn't seem quite right then just let us know. Plus you have the added assurance of our REPCO Nationwide Warranty if you find yourself out of town.  Will you give me reminders when my next sercive is due? We send SMS, email or letter reminders when your service is due.. How do I book in a Service? You can conveniently book in using our online Booking Form (which is also accessible via Facebook), SMS or call us during business hours. Can my car be serviced at the same time it is repaired? Yes, we can repair your vehicle during it's visit for a service by arrangement. Contact us with your concerns. How often should I really service my car? We follow the manufacturer’s service interval requirements for new vehicles.  For older vehicles, we recommend every 6 months or 10,000kms. I don't drive much, do I still need a service? Yes.  We will adjust the frequency of service intervals depending on the mileage and type of driving you do.  We also do a check over of your vehicle at every service, so we can keep you informed of any upcoming repairs you may need. Can you fix other things while my car is being serviced? Yes.  We also carry out maintenance repairs, (i.e. brakes, drive belt replacement) as well as other major repairs required. What type of oils and parts do you use? Yes. All aftermarket parts used are approved by manufacturers. Do you check my brakes during a service?  Yes, We check over your vehicle including brakes, tyres, fluid, etc and give you a written report

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs share their customers frequently asked questions about Log Book servicing

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs

Cars are our passion.

Love Your Car & Win

Ensure Your Car Battery Starts Every Time with Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs

Mechanical Problems to Avoid

What can cause Catastrophic Damage to your Car?

What is a log book service?

Frequently Asked Questions about Log Book servicing