French Cars Clapham - www.frenchcarsclapham.co.uk

I purchased an 11 year old Volvo S60 with full service history and generally in mint condition apart from the aircondition system that did not work.

Having worked in the automotive industry in the past myself I knew the system might just need a gas refill. I found French Cars Clapham at 11 Lendal Terrace SW4 7UX, who despite their name service all European cars not only French ones. They have also very rare air-condition refilling & diagnostics system.

Let me point out that all the car companies I have worked for (brand dealerships) - in general do not service the air condition systems but any refill of air con systems with new gas are usually done at specialists elsewhere without their customers knowledge, so even for me with +25 years in the automotive industry this was the first time I did see the work carried out in practice.

At French Cars Clapham they first tested the system for any leaks.

After testing the system using vacuum which also empties any moisture from the system - that otherwise can cause corrosion and damage - the system could be refilled. The service was very professional, friendly and fast while I waited.

The air con specialist working on my car explained all the readings of the system as I was keen to understand all the phases involved.

He also told me that air-condition systems leak about 10% of gas a year, that turned out to be perfectly true as my 11 year old Volvo S60 had no gas left in the system, while the system itself had no faults at all.

What further impressed me with their special equipment was that it showed exactly how many grams of gas that was actually filled into the system.

This prevents the system from being overfilled that could cause strain on the gas hoses. The full test and refill took about 1 hour.

Not only did they fill the system after testing it, they re-tested the air condition and said it should blow 5..10 degree cold air when done.

They actually measured the cold air from the air vents after filling the system with an electronic thermometer, it showed first 17 degrees but was still getting colder slowly. The technican explained the valve is probably a moving a bit slowly not having been used for a longer time, and will soon start to move easier.

Correct. A few minutes later the reading was down at 11 degrees.

The testing and refill costed 75 pounds + VAT which I found to be well worth every penny spent.

On my way back home I believe the air became even colder, just as the specialist had said, the valve in the system had probably not been used for a quite while and will start working perfectly after just a little while.

Now I get ICE cold air from the air vents instantly when I switch on the system.

If you have a car with air condition system that does not blow cold or not as cold air as it could, I would highly recommend French Cars Clapham.

Not only was the service extremely professional and fast, you have to search for such a friendly and customer oriented garage.

I have no hesitation to give these guy's my highest recommendation.

You can call French Cars Clapham on 0207 720 9702