This is optional. Genuinely.
PAD is a paid diagnostics business — that is how it keeps the lights on. Nothing on this page unlocks anything, moves you up a queue, or gets you a discount. If you have never spent a penny with PAD and never intend to, the guides are still yours to read.
What the money actually covers
The free side of the site is not free to run. Roughly, contributions go towards:
- Vehicle data lookups. Every reg you type into the MOT, tax and coverage checkers costs money per call.
- Hosting and email. The site, the booking system and the reminder emails all sit on paid plans.
- Writing time. The guides are researched and written in evenings and at weekends around the day job.
There is no target and no thermometer graphic. It offsets a bill; it does not fund anything glamorous.
Better than donating
If you want to help and would rather get something for it, these are worth more to PAD than a donation:
- Leave a Google review. If PAD has done work for you, a review does more for a small local business than any amount of money.
- Send a guide to someone. If a friend is about to buy a used EV, the buying checklist will save them more than a tip would give PAD.
- Book something. A 12V battery check is £25 and you get an actual service out of it.
Where the payment goes
Payments are handled by Square. PAD never sees or stores your card details — see the privacy policy for how data is handled. Contributions are voluntary gifts to a sole trader business, not charitable donations: there is no Gift Aid and no tax receipt.
Refunds
If you chip in by mistake, email contact@pontypridddiagnostics.co.uk and it will be refunded, no questions asked.