Good Garage Scheme to Appear on SKY TV

With the catchphrase ‘It’s like having a friend in the know’, the latest Good Garage Scheme advertising campaign will run on SKY television from 13th to 24th of May. The advertisement will appear over 300 times during the two week period reaching millions of viewers.

The new campaign follows previous successful campaigns on ITV 1, ITV 2 and DAVE, reminding motorists how easy it is to find a garage they can trust for their next service, repair or MOT. After all, a car is probably the second most expensive item owned by a consumer after the home. Why not shop around for someone you can trust to look after it?

Simply add your postcode or town name to www.GoodGarageScheme.com to find a garage near you. You can then view feedback from previous customers to help you make the final decision. With over half a million feedbacks online and thousands of garages across the UK, there is sure to be a garage to suit your needs.

Anndi Sheppard, Marketing Manager of the Good Garage Scheme, said: “Our previous  advertising campaigns have been major successes in both raising awareness of the Good Garage Scheme and generating business for members. We are confident our latest campaign will help us build on that success in reaching the widest possible audience.”

The Good Garage Scheme was launched in 2006 and is now widely accepted as a mark of quality for independent garages across the UK. Good Garage Scheme garages are recognised as providing exceptional service to their customers based on a rigorously monitored mandatory code of practice. 

Why not download the Good Garage Scheme's free app for the next time you need a service, repair or MOT? It's like having a friend in the know.

Good Garage Scheme Member in BBC Programme

Ajay Gokani, owner Empire Garages

Empire Garages in Enfield, Middlesex has been involved in an episode of the current series, "Don't Get Done, Get Dom" which is due to air on BBC One on 3rd May at 11am.
Don't worry if you are unable to watch it on Friday - the programme will be available to view on BBC iPlayer.

Ajay Gokani, owner of Empire Garages, was approached by the BBC's research team and participated in two hours of filming. As the programme investigated a garage that did not treat a customer fairly, Ajay was on hand to offer advice to viewers on how to best to protect themselves.

Ajay commented, "After the two hours filming, there was a worry that the final version may have only been sensationalist, so it was good that the editors kept a few very important messages to consumers in the brief, edited version:

• Regular servicing is very important
• Use review websites to make educated choices about the garage you use
• Ask what is included in a service. The word 'service' should have a defined structure such as a service schedule

All of these are important messages that have always been endorsed by the Good Garage Scheme."

Even more good news for Empire

Not only are they stars on the television, they have also been shortlisted for the Motor Trader Industry Awards for 2013 and are now in the running for the "Independent Garage of the Year Award". We are not surprised that the Industry has recognised Empire to be one of the best garages in the UK and wish them all the best in the competition. Congratulations Empire!

Accidents Happen - What Should You Do?

The reality is nobody wants to think about having a car accident. It’s not a nice thought, but it’s important to be prepared in case you are involved in one. In moments of panic, it’s quite easy to get caught up in a state. But knowing what you must do and taking simple precautions can make things easier afterwards.

If you do find yourself in this position, think about the following:

The initial feeling after an accident can leave you feeling in a state of panic and worry. Make sure you take a couple of minutes to gather your thoughts before you begin to deal with exchanging insurance details.

Remain safe and keep as calm as possible

Stop where it is safe if you have the option and check that any other passengers involved are safe and well too. 

If appropriate, turn the engine off and put your hazard lights on.

Exchange details

You will need to swap some details with the other driver(s), especially if someone is injured. Sometimes this isn’t possible because of an injury or because they drive off. If you don’t swap the details, you must report the accident to the police within 24 hours.

When exchanging details give your name, address, and registration number and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle. You should also get these details from the other driver(s).

Notify your insurers

Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as you can.

Obtain evidence

Get any witness contact details and take photos of the scene and vehicle damage. This may come in use later on when dealing with your insurers.

Make sure you note carefully how many people are in the other vehicle(s) involved.

Thanks to the IAM for the guest blog this week.

For peace of mind download the free Good Garage Scheme app. You can be sure to locate a garage you can trust no matter where an accident occurs. 

Ford Specialists Top Search

Owners of high end vehicle marques are increasingly turning to independent specialist garages for care and servicing, according to the UK-wide Good Garage Scheme. According to our research based on searches carried out by motorists since the start of the year, we can now reveal the top ten marques that searched on the website:

1. Ford
2. BMW
3. Volkswagen
4. Vauxhall
5. Renault
6. Mercedes
7. Audi
8. Land Rover
9. Honda
10. Peugeot

Prestige models BMW, Mercedes and Audi all make the top ten list of car manufacturer searches carried out by visitors to the Good Garage Scheme website, www.goodgaragescheme.com and Ford remains at the top of the list for a second year running.

Motorists visiting the website can find their nearest Good Garage Scheme member and refine their searches to identify those who have expertise in specific makes of vehicle. Over a recent three month period, a total of 49 different marques were searched.

Anndi Sheppard, Good Garage Scheme marketing manager, said: “Our research shows that a typical visitor to the Good Garage Scheme website will look for a local garage that services their particular make of car. Good Garage Scheme members specialise in custom model vehicles as well as servicing the more common marques. Our survey shows that motorists are recognising the specialist care and attention our members can dedicate to cars of all models.
“The Good Garage Scheme website provides motorists with the ideal tool to find their nearest independent garages quickly and efficiently. This is enhanced by being able to refine searches to find expertise in specific makes and models.”

Good Garage Scheme member garages can be found from Lands End to John O’Groats. Motorists can find their nearest garage anywhere in the UK via a link to the Good Garage Scheme’s home page www.goodgaragescheme.com or via the free Good Garage Scheme App, available for both android and iPhones.

Easter Holiday Driving Advice from the IAM

If you’re driving somewhere nice this Easter to indulge in a spot of egg rolling and family feuding over whose fault it was that the Easter eggs were left next to the heater, consider taking some time to prepare yourself and your vehicle for the trip.

At any time of year it is important that you check that all of your lights are working. You should also ensure that your tyre pressure is correct and that they have enough tread – particularly since you are likely to be facing some poor road surfaces after the wintry weather we have experienced in March.

What better time to give your car a spring clean? The grains of salt which have been spread on the roads over the winter period will inevitably have made their way on to your vehicle like tiny corrosive stowaways. Leaving a salt build-up can be damaging to your car, causing rust to appear.

When packing your vehicle for your journey, try to carry as little unnecessary weight as possible as this will increase your fuel consumption – do you really need those extra pairs of shoes? Pack your things as compactly as possible; making sure that nothing obstructs your view through the rear window.

Make sure your washer fluid is topped up before you leave, and give the windscreen and headlamps a quick clean when you stop for fuel.

If you’re taking the kids with you, it’s worth gathering up some tools to keep them occupied during the long periods spent on the road, in which you will need to concentrate, and they will need to be entertained. Portable DVD players and cordless games consoles are perfect, but don’t forget the headphones as the Super Mario Brothers tune may start to grate after an hour or two.

If you feel your eyelids getting heavy whilst driving, it’s likely that opening a window or turning the radio up will not cut it. Pull over somewhere suitable and safe, drink some strong coffee, and have a 20 minute nap while the caffeine takes effect. Sharing the driving is also a great option, if possible.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) for their guest blog this week.  For more information about the IAM, visit www.iam.org.uk

If you are unsure if your car is up to a long journey to see family and friends over the Easter holidays, why not visit a Good Garage Scheme member near you that can offer a Spring Check for peace of mind?

Good Garage Scheme Members at Dakar Rally

A father and son team of mechanics from Good Garage Scheme member garage, The Old Forge Garage in Leadenham gave up their jobs for a month in January 2013 to be part of a race team involved in the legendary Dakar Rally.

Phil Bayliss, Nasser Al Attiyah and Chris Bayliss

Phillip Bayliss and his father Chris spent four weeks in South America with the Race2Recovery team, mainly made up of injured and limbless servicemen and women. Phil and Chris who run The Old Forge Garage in Leadenham, are Land Rover specialists and have grown up off-road racing their 4x4s around the country for 20 years. A friend recommended them when another mechanic dropped out and they enjoyed the exciting trip of a lifetime.

Phil said: “We watched the event on TV for years and it was our dream to race in it ourselves, but to help a team out there was brilliant.”

One of the vehicles that Phil and Chris serviced during the rally

Phil also said it was a privilege to be part of the team and admired the way the injured teammates just got on with things, despite suffering from sores where sand affected artificial limbs. The Race2Recovery team were the first disabled team to finish the rally and received a special message of congratulations from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for their efforts.
 
The 15-day route, which took place in January of this year started in Lima, Peru, through Argentina to Santiago, Chile. It covered 9,000km over extreme mountain and desert terrain and the support teams needed to drive ahead to meet the competitors at the end of each stage, working through the night. Not only were they coping with lack of sleep, they also suffered the effects of altitude sickness as they drove up to heights of 4,800m over the Andes.

The Bowler Wildcats took a lot of punishment and one vehicle was written off when it hit a ditch at 60mph putting the occupants in hospital.


The team's efforts aim to support Tedworth House Personnel Recovery Centre.  For more information or to make a donation, please visit: www.race2recovery.com

Banish Winter Car Blues with a Spring Check

As winter slowly fades away the Good Garage Scheme is encouraging motorists to get their cars professionally checked to ensure they are safe and reliable in the months ahead.  Good Garage Scheme workshops across the UK are offering a Spring Check to give drivers peace of mind and ensure their cars are in good health after the winter.

Extreme weather conditions and salted roads can contribute to adverse effects on a car’s vital components including the steering, suspension, wheels and tyres.   

With the first day of spring just around the corner on 20^th March, the Good Garage Scheme also recommends that motorists have their air conditioning systems checked.  Harmful bacteria and mould may have built up in the ducts of systems that have been switched off during the winter, posing a health risk to drivers as they switch them back on.

Phil Dugmore, the Good Garage Scheme’s Technical Manager, comments: “The harsh winter may well have taken its toll on vital car components.  The Good Garage Scheme’s Spring Check aims to help give motorists the confidence that their car is in top condition as the days get longer and the weather starts to improve.”

Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and enter your postcode to find your local Good Garage Scheme workshop offering the Spring Check to ensure your car is in good health as the warm weather returns. 

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.