Breathe Easy This Summer

When the sun finally does come out this summer, you will naturally reach for the coolest setting of your car's air conditioning once again to drive in comfort. Like most people you probably haven't given the air conditioning unit a thought over the winter, but while turned off for so many months, bacteria, mould and fungi may have collected in the pipework.

Bacteria found in the ducts of
 a vehicle's air conditioning 

A bad smell in the car is a telltale sign that the air conditioning system needs a specific treatment. Nasty bacteria and mould are not so easily detected but may cause allergic symptoms for the driver and passengers.

Good Garage Scheme members are offering customers a Holiday Check this summer which includes checking the operation of the air conditioner including a bad odour. The check can be carried out while you wait.

Why not find a local Good Garage Scheme member offering the Holiday Check and make sure you and your passengers can "Breathe easy".

Is Your Car Ready for Summer Driving?

With the summer holidays fast approaching, the Good Garage Scheme is encouraging motorists to get their cars professionally checked to ensure they are safe, reliable and comfortable as the temperature increases.  Members of the Good Garage Scheme across the UK are offering a Holiday Check to offer drivers peace of mind, as research undertaken by the organisation has found that 38 per cent of motorists do not plan to get their car serviced before their next long journey.

Towing a caravan or carrying passengers with a boot full of luggage demands that a car is in the best possible condition to provide safe, reliable and comfortable summer motoring.  The 21-point HolidayCheck provides an expert assessment of a vehicle’s condition, covering essential areas including the condition and level of the coolant and engine oil, as well as the brakes, tyres, wiper blades, windscreen and lights.  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 cooler months, posing a health risk to drivers and passengers as they switch them back on.

Phil Dugmore, the Good Garage Scheme’s Technical Manager, comments: “The Holiday Check campaign gives motorists the confidence that their car is well prepared by getting it expertly checked at their local member workshop.  With our research finding that 38 per cent of drivers are not thinking about getting their car serviced before setting off on a long journey, the Holiday Check aims to give motorists peace of mind before setting off on travels with family and friends.”

Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and enter your postcode to find your local Good Garage Scheme member offering the Holiday Check.  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.

More Motorists Download Good Garage Scheme's Free App

The Good Garage Scheme's TV ad appearing on SKY TV this week has really caused a stir.
Not only has the website been busy, but the number of motorists downloading the Good Garage Scheme's free app has increased by over 200%.

 

In fact over 200 motorists have downloaded the app in the first three days of the campaign.
The Good Garage Scheme's television ad shows a motorist searching for a Good Garage Scheme member on her iPhone and it is as easy as it looks. If you haven't seen the Good Garage Scheme ad for yourself, please visit www.goodgaragescheme.com/tv-advert.

To download the Free Good Garage Scheme app for your smartphone, simply visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com/smartphone-app and follow the links to download the free app available for android devices and iPhones. It's peace of mind for the next time you need to find a garage you can trust, wherever you travel in the UK. 

It's like having a friend in the know!

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.