Alright, let’s have a proper chat about this because I’m fed up with customers coming in looking confused about tracking versus alignment. Just yesterday, a bloke came in asking why his mate’s garage quoted him for “tracking” but we’d mentioned “alignment.” Fair question, really,  and if you’re scratching your head about the same thing, don’t worry, you’re not going mental.

The truth is, half the garages round here use these terms like they mean exactly the same thing. They don’t. And knowing the difference could save you getting done over or, worse still, ending up back at square one in a few months’ time.

What’s All This About Wheel Tracking?

Right, tracking that’s the old way of doing things. Been around since your dad was learning to drive, probably. Basically, it’s about making sure your front wheels aren’t pointing all over the shop. You know when you’re driving straight but your wheels look like they’re trying to go in different directions? That’s what tracking sorts out.

Most local garages will stick your motor on their kit, have a butcher’s at the front wheels, tweak them so they’re parallel, and that’s your lot. Job done, twenty-five quid please. Now, don’t get me wrong tracking works fine for older cars or if you’ve just had a minor scrape. But it’s a bit like fixing a leaky roof with gaffer tape. Does the job, but it’s not exactly thorough, is it?

So What’s Wheel Alignment When It’s at Home?

Wheel alignment is basically tracking that’s been to university. Instead of just eyeballing your front wheels and calling it a day, proper alignment looks at everything all four wheels, multiple angles, the whole shebang.

We’re talking about three different measurements here:

Toe: Whether your wheels point inward or outward (like being pigeon-toed or duck-footed)
Camber: If your wheels are leaning in or out when you look from the front
Caster: The angle that affects how your steering wheel returns to centre after you’ve turned

Our computerised kit here at MK12 can spot stuff that you’d never see with the naked eye. The DVSA reckons improper alignment contributes to about 12% of tyre defects they find during MOTs. That’s quite a chunk when you think about it.

The Difference, Plain and Simple

Look, imagine you’re trying to straighten a wonky shelf. Tracking is like standing back, squinting a bit, and saying “yeah, that looks about level.” Alignment is getting your spirit level out and doing it properly.

Here’s what you need to know:

Coverage: Tracking usually just does the front; alignment checks all four wheels and multiple angles
Accuracy: Modern alignment kits measure to tiny fractions; we’re talking precision here
Lasting power: Proper alignment fixes the actual problem, not just the symptoms

When Should You Get This Done?

You’ll know something’s not right if:

• Your car’s got a mind of its own and keeps wandering off to the left or right
• You’re driving with the steering wheel at a weird angle just to go straight
• Your tyres are wearing funny more on one side than the other
• You’ve had a proper meeting with one of our lovely local potholes (and trust me, MK’s got some corkers)
• You’ve just had new rubber fitted
• The car feels all over the place, especially on the dual carriageways

The Tyre Industry Federation says dodgy alignment can cut your tyre life by a quarter. With decent tyres costing four to eight hundred quid these days, that’s not pocket change, is it?

Why Milton Keynes Eats Wheel Alignment for Breakfast

Living here’s brilliant, but our roads aren’t exactly kind to your motor’s suspension. Think about what your poor car puts up with:

All those roundabouts and blimey, we’ve got a few, haven’t we? Every single one puts stress on your wheels as you go round. The grid system means constant stopping and starting at lights. Roadworks everywhere (seriously, when was the last time there wasn’t something being dug up?). Those concrete roads they’re harsh compared to nice smooth tarmac.

Research from Cranfield University (just down the road from us) shows that stop-start city driving like ours can speed up alignment problems by about 30% compared to cruising country lanes.

Why Bother with Proper Alignment Over Basic Tracking?

Getting your wheels properly aligned rather than just tracked makes a massive difference:

Safety: Better control means you’re not wrestling with the steering wheel, especially important when you’re bombing down the A5 or merging onto the M1
Your wallet: Wheels fighting each other waste fuel proper alignment can save you 7-10% on petrol
Tyre life: Even wear means getting your money’s worth maybe 50,000 miles instead of 30,000
Comfort: No more vibrating steering wheel or constantly correcting your course
Fewer nasty surprises: Less stress on your suspension means fewer expensive repairs down the line

Here’s the Thing

Some garages still offer basic tracking, and fair enough it’s fine for older motors or quick fixes. But most modern cars really need the full alignment treatment. The AA recommends checking your alignment every 12,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first.

We see cars every day that have been “tracked” elsewhere but still aren’t right. Whether you’ve kissed a kerb dodging a cyclist on Midsummer Boulevard or you’re getting weird vibrations on the way to Westcroft, we’ll sort you out properly.

The bottom line? Don’t mess about with half measures. Your car’s suspension is complicated kit, and it deserves proper attention.

Time to Get It Sorted?

If your car’s not driving straight, or you’re having any of those symptoms I mentioned, don’t put it off. These things only get worse, and they get expensive fast.

Need your wheels professionally aligned? Book your wheel alignment in Milton Keynes with MK12 Auto Care today. We’ll have a proper look, tell you exactly what’s what (no confusing technical waffle), and get you back on the road feeling confident.

Pop in for a chat or give us a ring. We’re not here to oversell you just to fix what needs fixing and keep you safe on MK’s mental road system. Your tyres will last longer, your fuel will go further, and you won’t be white-knuckling it round every corner.

Trust me, once you’ve experienced properly aligned wheels, you’ll wonder why you put up with anything less.