Maria McCarthy Promotes Good Garage Scheme

Motoring journalist, Maria McCarthy, is the spokesperson for the Good Garage Scheme's Winter Check national radio campaign, which begins today and urges motorists to be safe as the days get shorter.

Maria will be on the radio with the likes of BBC Scotland and LBC (London's Biggest Conversation) Radio answering questions about the importance of having your car checked and knowing where to find a Good Garage Scheme member if you need one.


With the clocks going back this weekend and darkness on its way, it’s crucial that drivers and their vehicles are prepared for the dangerous driving conditions ahead of them.

Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com to find a local garage offering a Winter Check.

Maria McCarthy has written The Girl's Car Handbook: Everything You Need to Know about Life on the Road and The Girls' Guide to Losing Your L-plates: How to Pass Your Driving Test.

Maria is a regular commentator on motoring matters on BBC Breakfast News and News 24, GMTV, Radio 5 Live, Woman's Hour, You and Yours, and Jeremy Vine.

For more information about Maria McCarthy, visit www.mariamccarthy.co.uk.

Good Garage Scheme on BBC Radio

The Good Garage Scheme began its radio campaign on the first day of summer with a message to motorists to check their cars before setting off on holiday. Motoring journalist Maria McCarthy spoke on behalf of the Good Garage Scheme warning of the dangers of air conditioning contamination.

As always the British summertime weather is keeping us guessing, so to ensure you’re not raging in a lay-by instead of enjoying that all-important family holiday, it’s essential to be prepared to drive in all conditions.

Maria spoke on BBC Radio Kent, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Scotland to name a few about the results of the research the Good Garage Scheme has carried out.

Anyone interested in a Holiday Check should visit the Good Garage Scheme website and find a local garage offering this service.

Safe motoring this summer!

Prima Magazine offers Car Advice

The March issue of Prima magazine features a spread offering readers car advice including caring for your car, buying a car and getting a good deal at a garage.

The Good Garage Scheme's Code of Conduct and feedback system are given particular mention and Good Garage Scheme member garage, Caroline's Cars in Norwich offers advice to those worried about finding a garage.
"Personal recommendation is the best way to find a garage," says owner and mechanic Caroline Lake  of Caroline's Cars in Norwich.

Read more advice from Caroline in the feature written by motoring journalist,  Maria McCarthy.

Running out of Fuel - Guest Blog by Maria McCarthy

This is an astonishingly common problem. Sometimes it's just the result of pure carelessness and forgetting to check the fuel gauge. Other times it's because the fuel gauge itself is faulty and
was reading full when it was actually empty. Alternatively there could be a fuel leak.

How to avoid it
If you suspect that the fuel gauge is playing up, or that you've 
got a leak of any description, get it checked out by a garage as
soon as possible. And don't procrastinate when it comes to filling
up.

What to do if it happens to you
If you suspect a fuel leak then you should be able to smell
the petrol or diesel. Don't even think of trying to start the
car under these circumstances - call the breakdown service
for help.

Don't keep attempting to start the engine in the hope of
squeezing the last drops of fuel out as this can suck air and dirt
into the fuel system and make things even worse.

If you've got a can of fuel with you or can get one from a
nearby petrol station then switch off the ignition, empty it into
the tank and drive to the nearest garage to fill up properly.

If you're stuck on the hard shoulder or a long way from the
nearest petrol station then your best bet is to call your breakdown
service.

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The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank Maria McCarthy for permission to publish an excerpt from her book,  "The Girls' Car Handbook - Everything You Need to Know about Life on the Road”, published by Simon and Schuster.  Maria is a member of The Guild of Motoring Writers.