Spring is on its way - which can only mean lighter evenings, warmer days and of course the launch of our Good Garage Scheme Spring Check. However, whilst we are keen to ensure your vehicles have survived the winter and are in good shape for spring, there is one thing you will be lucky to avoid - potholes.
Estimated to cause as many as one in ten mechanical failures and costing motorists over £730 million every year, potholes are at the root of much motoring misery.
Although this winter has been relatively mild, the condition of the roads appears to have worsened - and a bumpy journey is an all-too-frequent occurrence.
How are potholes created?
Potholes occur when the asphalt road surface becomes brittle and starts to absorb more rain water, causing cracks to develop. The pressure of car tyres driving over the surface will weaken it and as frost and ice thaw, this deterioration process is sped up, causing chunks of road surface material to become loosened. Once formed, a pothole will generally increase in size as more and more cars drive over the weakened area.
How can potholes damage your vehicle?
Driving over a pothole, or in some cases into and back out of one, can
cause damage to a vehicle’s axle and suspension. Potholes are at their
most dangerous at night, and in wet weather when the extent of the hole
may not be evident, due to it being filled with rain water.
How can we help you?
Our Spring Check launches on 1st March, which means that by visiting one of our participating member garages you can have your car checked over, to ensure it has not been damaged by the unavoidable winter potholes or cold weather motoring. Your local garage will test your vehicle against a stringent 21-point checklist to ensure that tyres, brakes, power steering and other vital elements are in good working condition, ready for spring motoring.
If you believe your vehicle has been damaged by a particular pothole, there are steps you can take to report the issue, namely:
· Collect evidence – location, timing and photographs
· Report the pothole to your local council or Highways Agency
Presenting your case as if you are trying to help other motorists avoid such damage may help to support your claim.
If you are worried by the impact of potholes on your vehicle, simply ask your local Good Garage Scheme member garage to check.
Friday, 27 February 2015
Monday, 23 February 2015
Get Ready for Your MOT Test
An MOT test is required by law to check that a vehicle is roadworthy and safe for the environment. It is due once your car is three years old and then annually.
According to the Drivers and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) the top three items to fail an MOT are:
Headlight aim might have been off if you replaced a headlight since your last MOT and it is higher or lower than the other. Check your lights before your test. All lights will be tested so ask a friend or neighbour to help you check your lights are working and replace any if possible beforehand.
Tyre tread depth is easy to check with a 20p coin. If you can see the outer rim of the coin when you insert into the tyre grooves, they may need changing. Visit any Good Garage Scheme member garage to check if you are unsure.
Windscreen wipers do a tremendous amount of work and may need changing. This is something you can easily check and replace should they look worn. You can probably tell if they are not clearing the screen as smoothly as possible in bad weather but best to run your hand along to edge to check for cracks or wear.
Other items you can check before your test are seat belts, fluids in the car and bodywork.
Remember, an MOT is not a service. If you are looking to buy a car that has recently passed an MOT, ensure you also check when it was last serviced.
For more information about MOTs visit www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/the-mot-test
According to the Drivers and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) the top three items to fail an MOT are:
1. Headlight Aim
2. Tyre Tread Depth
3. Windscreen wipers
Tyre tread depth is easy to check with a 20p coin. If you can see the outer rim of the coin when you insert into the tyre grooves, they may need changing. Visit any Good Garage Scheme member garage to check if you are unsure.Windscreen wipers do a tremendous amount of work and may need changing. This is something you can easily check and replace should they look worn. You can probably tell if they are not clearing the screen as smoothly as possible in bad weather but best to run your hand along to edge to check for cracks or wear.
Other items you can check before your test are seat belts, fluids in the car and bodywork.
Remember, an MOT is not a service. If you are looking to buy a car that has recently passed an MOT, ensure you also check when it was last serviced.
For more information about MOTs visit www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/the-mot-test
Monday, 16 February 2015
Three Time Winners on Way to 5000 Feedbacks
The Good Garage Scheme would like to congratulate member garage Lockwood & Greenwood in Ashton-under-Lyne for once again winning the national prize for top number of feedback received in a year.
The garage received over 900 customer feedbacks in 2014 with a phenomenal star rating of over 98% with over 99% of their customers ready to recommend them to a friend or use them again. Lockwood & Greenwood have also picked up the regional prize for Top Feedback in 2014 as well.
Bryan Langton who runs the service reception ensures every customer receives a feedback card and lets them know how important their response is to the garage's membership of the Good Garage Scheme. He also ensures they receive a thank you in the post for using the garage for the service, repair or MOT. The email addresses collected with the feedback helps the garage remind their customers when the MOT or service is due on the vehicle.
Lockwood & Greenwood are currently on 4820 feedbacks and well on the way to reaching the next milestone of 5000, which will make them the second Good Garage Scheme member to do so. We look forward to celebrating later this year.
Congratulations to all of our Regional Winners for Top Feedback in 2014:
R M Services in Hathern, Loughborough
Surecar in Bristol
G & J Starkey in Stourbridge
Budget Autocentre in Stirling
Car Care of Kensington in London
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| The team at Lockwood & Greenwood celebrate highest number of feedback in 2014. |
Bryan Langton who runs the service reception ensures every customer receives a feedback card and lets them know how important their response is to the garage's membership of the Good Garage Scheme. He also ensures they receive a thank you in the post for using the garage for the service, repair or MOT. The email addresses collected with the feedback helps the garage remind their customers when the MOT or service is due on the vehicle.
Lockwood & Greenwood are currently on 4820 feedbacks and well on the way to reaching the next milestone of 5000, which will make them the second Good Garage Scheme member to do so. We look forward to celebrating later this year.
Congratulations to all of our Regional Winners for Top Feedback in 2014:
R M Services in Hathern, Loughborough
Surecar in Bristol
G & J Starkey in Stourbridge
Budget Autocentre in Stirling
Car Care of Kensington in London
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
Motorist Wins in Feedback Prizedraw
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| Kate Lawlor receives £200 cheque at Mimram Service Centre |
Scheme member garage, Mimram Service Centre in Hertford.
Kate’s feedback card was picked at random from over 25,000 customer satisfaction surveys submitted by member garages throughout the UK since September 2014.
Good Garage Scheme customers are encouraged to provide their feedback to help drivers visiting www.goodgaragescheme.com make an informed decision when choosing a local garage to service or repair their vehicle.
Ms Lawlor awarded Mimram Service Centre five stars for the helpfulness and attitude of the staff and the quality of their contact about the work being carried out on her car. Five stars were also awarded for their standard of work and her overall satisfaction with the Good Garage Scheme member.
Kate Lawlor commented: “I would definitely recommend John and his team at the Mimram Service Centre. Customer service is exceptional and before any work is commenced, it is always discussed with you before proceeding. I’m always satisfied with the work carried out and will only use this garage in Hertford.”
John Souidhou, owner of Mimram Service Centre, added: “We are delighted that one of our valued customers has won the Good Garage Scheme’s feedback prize and were equally pleased to have received such a glowing review. This positive report shows the importance that everyone at Mimram Service Centre places on providing our customers with an excellent service, as well as the hard work and dedication that’s needed to make this happen.”
The Good Garage Scheme awards two lucky motorists each year with a prize for filling in a feedback card after a service or repair. For your chance to Win Back the Cost of Your Service*, simply leave feedback on your next service or repair at a Good Garage Scheme member garage.
Visit www.goodgaragescheme.com and enter your postcode to find your local Good Garage Scheme workshop and view customer feedback. Smartphone users can also download a free iPhone or Android app to help them locate a nearby Good Garage Scheme member anywhere in the UK.
Friday, 30 January 2015
Don't Lose Your Grip on Salty Roads
As the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings of ice and snow for much of the country, roads are expected to be gritted to prevent snow from settling. The IAM’s chief examiner, Peter Rodger, is offering advice to motorists to cope better with driving on road surfaces that have been recently treated.
If weather conditions are severe in your area, you should take notice of police advice and simply not travel. However, in the exceptional circumstances where this is unavoidable, make sure you drive safely and with extra caution on icy roads.
Salt will often make the windscreen, headlights, number plate and rear parts of your car very dirty. Cars without headlamp washers, for example, will lose an estimated 40% of luminosity, and possibly all their focus in about 20 miles on a damp, gritted motorway. When travelling long distances it is advised that you stop regularly at service stations to clean your windscreen and headlights with a clean cloth. Or keep a filled litre or two of water in the car boot to give your lights, windows and mirrors a quick wash over – a handy investment to top-up your windscreen washer reservoir when needed too.
When driving on a busy road, avoid overtaking a gritting lorry as the road ahead may not be treated yet. If you have any doubt, don’t risk it. Never overtake a snow plough in heavy snow conditions.
While roads may be gritted to give you better traction some areas may not be completely treated, leaving ice patches exposed. You should therefore drive at a steady pace – ensuring the safety of you and your passengers.
It’s important that you keep your car clean throughout the winter as the salt in grit can cause external damage such as corrosion to any exposed suspension parts. Ensure that you thoroughly wash the underside of your car when you can to stop salt from settling.
Don’t forget to wash/rinse alloy wheels too; the smallest scratch can quickly become a large rust patch.
Rodger said: “Preparation is the key to avoiding a dangerous situation whilst driving in snowy or icy conditions. Don’t rely on the performance of your car systems to get you out of trouble – allow time, make sure you have good visibility all round and carry the right equipment.”
Peter Rodger is the IAM’s chief examiner
The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving and motorcycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving and motorcycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.
The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the IAM for this week's welcome advice and would also like to add that motorists can download the Free Good Garage Scheme App before setting off in case they do run into any trouble.
If weather conditions are severe in your area, you should take notice of police advice and simply not travel. However, in the exceptional circumstances where this is unavoidable, make sure you drive safely and with extra caution on icy roads.
Salt will often make the windscreen, headlights, number plate and rear parts of your car very dirty. Cars without headlamp washers, for example, will lose an estimated 40% of luminosity, and possibly all their focus in about 20 miles on a damp, gritted motorway. When travelling long distances it is advised that you stop regularly at service stations to clean your windscreen and headlights with a clean cloth. Or keep a filled litre or two of water in the car boot to give your lights, windows and mirrors a quick wash over – a handy investment to top-up your windscreen washer reservoir when needed too.
When driving on a busy road, avoid overtaking a gritting lorry as the road ahead may not be treated yet. If you have any doubt, don’t risk it. Never overtake a snow plough in heavy snow conditions.
While roads may be gritted to give you better traction some areas may not be completely treated, leaving ice patches exposed. You should therefore drive at a steady pace – ensuring the safety of you and your passengers.
It’s important that you keep your car clean throughout the winter as the salt in grit can cause external damage such as corrosion to any exposed suspension parts. Ensure that you thoroughly wash the underside of your car when you can to stop salt from settling.
Don’t forget to wash/rinse alloy wheels too; the smallest scratch can quickly become a large rust patch.
Rodger said: “Preparation is the key to avoiding a dangerous situation whilst driving in snowy or icy conditions. Don’t rely on the performance of your car systems to get you out of trouble – allow time, make sure you have good visibility all round and carry the right equipment.”
The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving and motorcycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving and motorcycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.
The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the IAM for this week's welcome advice and would also like to add that motorists can download the Free Good Garage Scheme App before setting off in case they do run into any trouble.
Friday, 23 January 2015
Read How BEN helped Kate & Tim
Ben is the UK's dedicated charity for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependants and is the chosen charity of the Good Garage Scheme.
At a recent charity ball held by BEN, Kate and Tim Weaver shared their story about how BEN helped them when they needed it.
We are grateful for the permission to share the video of Kate speaking at the event and hope it will inspire those to give generously to BEN and also make those in the automotive industry aware of the help that is available to them.
For more information about BEN, please visit www.ben.org.uk.
Friday, 16 January 2015
Good Garage Scheme Supports Automotive Charity BEN
BEN is the chosen charity of the Good Garage Scheme. The charity is dedicated for those who work, or have worked in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependents.
Each year we make time at Christmas to visit the day care centre which closest to our Good Garage Scheme head office and send along a hamper for the centre to enjoy.
It is wonderful to see what is available for those who need it and on the day of our visit, the staff were telling us how much the residents enjoyed their annual Christmas party on the previous day.
The centre offers a safe and comfortable place where anyone with a connection to the automotive or related industries can leave an elderly relative to be cared for during the working day. They also welcome those who are more independent who may benefit from socialising or taking part in organised activities and outings. The Centre has up to 25 members each day enjoying a range of entertainment, activities, games and trips to local attractions.
If you are interested in more information about BEN and the work they do or help they can offer, please visit www.BEN.org.uk.
Each year we make time at Christmas to visit the day care centre which closest to our Good Garage Scheme head office and send along a hamper for the centre to enjoy.
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| Arthur Wilson House in Coventry |
It is wonderful to see what is available for those who need it and on the day of our visit, the staff were telling us how much the residents enjoyed their annual Christmas party on the previous day.
The centre offers a safe and comfortable place where anyone with a connection to the automotive or related industries can leave an elderly relative to be cared for during the working day. They also welcome those who are more independent who may benefit from socialising or taking part in organised activities and outings. The Centre has up to 25 members each day enjoying a range of entertainment, activities, games and trips to local attractions.
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