Automotive Charity BEN Offers Support for Flood Victims

With the acrid, foul-smelling flood waters slowing abating and worries that we have not seen the last of the bad weather, the automotive charity BEN is extending their support for our affected automotive colleagues.

Following the Environment Agency's report that 5,800 properties have been flooded since the start of December and 100,000 homes having experienced power cuts, we recognise that members of our automotive community are extremely likely to be amongst those being challenged by the experience.

Commenting on the situation BEN's Chief Operating Officer, Nigel Rothband stated,

"The prolonged damage caused by these events will be placing severe physical and emotional stress on those affected, and we are desperate to ensure that anyone connected to our automotive industry community knows that we are on hand to offer our care and support.

We cannot solve the long-term problem; sadly we cannot throw millions at it to make it go away, but what we can do is to provide short term immediate support including financial assistance, where needed.

Obviously, some people will have been unable to work and will have incurred additional costs in trying to protect themselves and their properties - where these factors have caused short term financial hardship we may be able to assist depending on the circumstances of the individual.

Many will be covered by insurance, which should always be the first port of call, but for those who are vulnerable and do not have cover, or remain unsupported by other agencies we can, and will, respond to immediate need. Whether those affected just needing someone to offload too, advice on temporary accommodation or financial assistance- we are here to help. I would urge any automotive person who is distressed or suffering to get in touch."

In addition to actively encouraging those affected to get in touch, BEN is also contacting existing beneficiaries, in affected areas, to find out if they need help. Many older people in these circumstances will have been unable to get out and therefore missed out on normal social contact, or they may simply be more anxious and need some reassurance. We at BEN are determined to support these individuals and can also offer support to those people needing help to complete their insurance forms.

To contact BEN's helpline;
Call 01344 876770
Text 07781 472622
Email careservices@ben.org.uk

BEN - Caring for automotive people, and their dependants, in times of need

BEN is the Good Garage Scheme's chosen charity - the UK’s dedicated charity for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependants.

Advice for Driving in Deep Water

Following severe weather warnings of storms and floods over the coming days, the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM) offers sound advice on how to keep safe in the storms.

According to Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger, “A suddenly very wet road surface increases the chances of slipping when braking or steering, which is a problem not just for motorists, but cyclists and motorcyclists too.”

“When driving in wet conditions remember that stopping distances will increase, and visibility will be reduced. Drop your speed and give yourself more time to slow down.”

In cases of severe flooding, you should reconsider making the journey at all. If it is unavoidable, and you have to drive through deep water, the IAM recommends drivers take the following precautions:

• Drive on the highest section of the road and don't set off if a vehicle is approaching you
• Leave time and space to avoid swamping other cars and pedestrians
• Drive slowly and keep going once you have started – make sure you have a clear run. In a manual car, keep the revs high by "slipping the clutch" (which means the clutch is not fully engaged) all the time you are in the water
• If you can’t see where you are going to come out of the water, such as when approaching flooding on a bend, think twice about starting to drive into it
• In deep water never take your foot off the accelerator, as this could allow water to travel up the exhaust pipe
• Once you're out of the water, dry the brakes before you need them. The best way is to lightly apply the brake as you drive along for a few seconds, after checking nothing is following you too closely.

  The Good Garage Scheme recommends downloading its free App before you set off on your car journey. Should you run into any trouble, help is at the touch of a button. To download the app for peace of mind click here.

Safe Motoring!

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the Road Safety Charity IAM for the valuable advice. Peter Rodger is the IAM’s chief examiner. For more information visit www.iam.org.uk.

New MOT Test rules for the DPF

Clogged diesel particulate filter

Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) have been in the news quite a bit this year. DPFs were fitted to diesel cars to meet European emissions standards, but they need high temperatures to regenerate and remain effective. Motorists who use their cars primarily for local runs with lots of stop-start driving and low mileage may find themselves with a blocked DPF as a result.

Vehicles suffering with blocked DPFs have become a common fault, the first indication of which will be the engine management light coming on, or a lack of power. If the warning light is ignored, it could be a costly repair. Rather than deal with the repair bill, some people have chosen to completely remove the DPF, but this could prove costly. From February 2014 the MOT test will include a check for the presence of a diesel particulate filter.

This new government legislation means it is vital that garages look after DPFs for their customers. Vehicles will automatically fail the MOT test if a diesel particulate filter that was fitted when manufactured has been removed.

Your local Good Garage Scheme member garage will be able to advise you of a treatment specifically designed to help your diesel particulate filter operate as it should.

For more information contact your local Good Garage Scheme member via www.GoodGarageScheme.com.

It's like having a friend in the know.

For more information about the government's new legislation, click here.

Top Feedback Awards 2013

The scores are in and the Good Garage Scheme is pleased to congratulate member garages who have received the most feedback from their customers in 2013.

For the second year running, top prize goes to Lockwood & Greenwood in Ashton-under-Lyne who received an incredible 763 feedbacks during the year. They also collect the award for the Regional Winner for 2013 as well. Congratulations to the team at Lockwood & Greenwood with over 3800 customer feedbacks in total.

Feedback is at the heart of the Good Garage Scheme. It is useful for the garage to be thanked for a job well done and also very useful in helping them to improve their business. From the motorist's point of view, it helps them to make an educated choice as to where they will take their car.

The Good Garage Scheme congratulates all Regional Winners on a fantastic achievement.
East Anglia Regional Winner:  Car Care of Kensington, London
East Midlands Regional Winner: RM Services, Loughborough
South West Regional Winner: Surecar Ltd, Bristol
South Wales Regional Winner: G & J Starkey, Stourbridge
Scotland Regional Winner: Bishopton Hiring Garage Ltd, Bishopton
North West Regional Winner: Lockwood & Greenwood, Ashton-under-Lyne


Customers of Good Garage Scheme members have three easy ways to leave feedback after a service or repair:

• Send it on a free postcard via Freepost
• Enter it online
• Send it via the Free Good Garage Scheme App 

Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com to fine a Good Garage Scheme member near you.

Leave Feedback And Win

Having a service or repair carried out at a Good Garage Scheme member garage may not cost you a penny.

Every customer who leaves feedback with comments after having had work done at a Good Garage Scheme member garage is in with a chance to win the cost of the service or repair back*.

It couldn't be easier, and there are three ways to leave feedback:

1. Fill in a feedback card you receive with your documentation.
2. Visit the Good Garage Scheme's website
3. Download the Good Garage Scheme's free App and leave your feedback there

There are over 629,000 feedback items from previous customers listed on the Good Garage Scheme website so that motorists can make an educated decision before they take their car to a garage for a service.

The Good Garage Scheme will award two lucky customers up to £200 each for the cost of a service or repair this year.

Visit GoodGarageScheme.com to find a garage near you.

*Terms and conditions apply. The winners will receive up to £200 for the work carried out.

Weather woe inflates the need for Tyre Safety Checks

image courtesy of TyreSafe

After the worst winter storms to hit Britain for two decades, drivers are being reminded about the need for more regular tyre checks. With its potential to cause aquaplaning, standing water remains a major hazard in many parts of the UK, while damaged road surfaces also present a different tyre-related challenge. However, by taking just a few minutes to inspect your tyres regularly, TyreSafe advises that the impact of these issues can be reduced.

"Although floods in many areas are starting to subside, motorists are still faced with a couple of serious tyre-related challenges which can be minimised if they spend a few moments regularly checking their tyres," advises Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. "The checks are incredibly easy to make, but they could make the world of difference to your safety on the road."

While driving through deep flood water has a wide range of associated risks and should be tackled with extreme caution, smaller areas of standing water may be less easy to avoid but equally dangerous. On vehicles equipped with tyres that have insufficient or low levels of tread depth, water between the tyres and the road surface may not be removed quickly enough. This layer of water builds up in front of the tyres until the tyre loses contact with the road surface. This loss of traction, or aquaplaning, causes the wheels to slip and prevents the vehicle from responding to steering, braking or acceleration.

As a result, the vehicle can lose control, starting to skid or spin dangerously. To reduce the risk of aquaplaning, drivers are advised to check the tread depth of their tyres. New tyres often have a tread depth of around 8mm, far greater than the legal minimum requirement of 1.6mm, which makes them much more efficient at removing water and able to cope with standing water. Any drivers unfortunate enough to suffer from aquaplaning should heed the advice of organisations such as the AA who recommend holding the steering wheel lightly and lifting off the throttle until the tyres regain grip.

Meanwhile, damaged road surfaces and potholes caused by the recent wet weather also present another significant tyre safety hazard. When tyres hit large potholes, they have the potential to suffer internal damage which could cause the tyre to fail catastrophically, leaving the driver unable to control the vehicle. Consequently, drivers are being advised to inspect the condition of their tyres at least once a month, and even more frequently if they know they've hit a pothole. In particular, drivers should look for cuts, lumps or bulges in the tyre and also check the tyre pressures regularly in case the wheel rim itself has been damaged.

"Checking your tyres may see like an unnecessary or daunting task, but in the current conditions it's even more important than normal," adds Jackson.
"Of course, if you're not sure what to do then simply pop into your local tyre professional who will be able to inspect things properly and advise you of any issues."


The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank TyreSafe for their permission to print this blog.  For more information about TyreSafe, visit www.tyresafe.org

Any Good Garage Scheme member garage would be happy to check your tyres if you are unsure. Please check www.GoodGarageScheme.com to find a member near you.

New Year - New Car?

If you are thinking of buying a new car this year, be prepared with handy advice courtesy of the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM).

The prospect of a shiny new car is exciting. But don’t make a hasty decision. With advances in the latest road safety technology and the latest technical features in new cars, try to get the most out of your money.

Firstly, decide on the type of car you need. Do you need to ferry the children around and make the school run? Or do you want a car with enough luggage space for the holidays you have planned. It may be your car is simply a means to get from A to B. Just make sure your choice fits the purpose.

While we’re often led by the way the car looks, it’s important to be clear on your budget from the start. Make sure you know how much you are able to spend. The price displayed often isn’t the total price of the car. There are other costs to factor in such as insurance cost and other running costs too.

Don’t forget to check for hidden extras. There’s nothing worse than finalising the details of the car and then learn that there are additional charges for number plates and delivery.

It’s often the question on everyone’s mind. Petrol or diesel? Check out the running costs before you buy. Diesel cars offer better fuel economy but are more expensive. It’s important to factor in car depreciation. Think about how much the car will decrease in value in its first three years and how this will affect the price of the car if sold second-hand. VED is related to carbon emissions, so the lower the emissions, the better.

Once you know your budget, work out how you will be financing the car. Whether you’ll be taking out a loan, asking family and friends or using your savings, it’s important to plan a budget. Don’t be swayed by something out of your price range.

Most importantly, test drive it. There’s no other way of knowing if you’ll like it without driving it. Remember, if you’re going to spend a long time in it commuting, you need to make sure it’s what you want.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the IAM for this week's guest blog. For more information on the Institute of Advanced Motoring, please visit www.iam.org.uk.