Spread the Costs of your Car Maintenance

We all know that prevention is better than cure, but we don't always prepare for the cost of an annual car service.

No matter what the age, mileage and condition of your vehicle, it will require repairs at some point as a result of everyday wear and tear. Regular servicing can alleviate the long-term impact of this wear and tear by identifying any potential issues and correcting them before they escalate to a costly item to repair.

Monthly payments via direct debit are the most common method to keep up with the demands of most household bills, enabling people to spread the burden of large costs.

However, how many people can say they budget monthly for their car servicing?

Whilst many of us know that planning in advance and putting aside money for car servicing and repairs is the sensible option, budgeting for this important item is not always straightforward unless you are following a plan.

Thanks to a new service from the Good Garage Scheme, motorists can now budget for their car servicing and take some of that worry away.

The Good Garage Scheme Service Plan is now available to help motorists keep their cars on the road and in good condition.

Participating Good Garage Scheme member garages will offer their customers the option to pay a small monthly amount into a Service Plan so that when their annual car service is due, the money is ready and the service can take place.

Not only does this allow motorists to budget for their car maintenance, but it can also save them money in the future as a regularly-serviced vehicle is less likely to require repairs than one which has not been serviced for some time.  Another bonus of a well-maintained vehicle is that when you come to sell the car, it will maintain more of the value with a fully stamped service book.

For more information, visit the website.

Save Money on Your Next MOT

According to advice from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agengy (DVSA), around 40% of cars fail the MOT test at the first attempt.

• 30% of all faults relate to lighting and signalling
• 10% of all faults relate to tyres
• 8.5% of all faults relate to ‘Driver’s view of the road’

This means extra cost for repairs to improve the standard and possibly an extra cost for the re-test.

How can you save money on your next MOT?

By checking the following items before you take the car in for your test.

1. Are your lights working? Ask a friend or family member to come out to the car and help you check.
2. Are your tyres in good condition and is the pressure correct?
3. Are your mirrors, wipers and washers in good working order?

Remember - an MOT test is NOT a service

Don't be fooled into thinking that an MOT test means that your car has been serviced. The MOT is an assessment of some of the most important items on your vehicle checking that it meets legal standards.

It is not the same as having a service and it does not check the general mechanical condition of your car.

Find your nearest Good Garage Scheme member to carry our your next service.

Congratulations Bond Motors

The Good Garage Scheme would like to congratulate the team at Bond Motor Services in Kingswood, Bristol. They have achieved the national prize for top number of customer feedback in 2015 collecting just under 1400 during the year and maintaining a five star rating.

Steve Andrews of Good Garage Scheme presents national award to Mark Lavington and owner Gary Bond

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating its 25th year in business in 2016, Bond Motor Services recognises the importance of providing an excellent service and actively encourages customers to share their experience via the Good Garage Scheme¹s feedback system.

Gary Bond, owner of Bond Motor Services, comments: "We are delighted to have been awarded the Good Garage Scheme's National Prize for Top Customer Feedback, which demonstrates the hard work put in by the team here at Bond Motor Services and the efforts of Mark Lavington, our General Manager, in particular. We¹re dedicated to providing the highest standards of workmanship and service and place great importance on seeking feedback to help us serve the needs of our loyal and valued customers."

Anndi Sheppard, the Good Garage Scheme's Marketing Manager, concludes: "Winning the Good Garage Scheme¹s National Prize for Top Customer Feedback is a great achievement for Bond Motor Services and we would like to congratulate them on their hard work and success. This award highlights the importance the Good Garage Scheme places on providing excellent customer service, as well as the importance of seeking reviews to help us ensure that we keep the needs of the motorist as our top priority."

Good Garage Scheme Celebrates 10 Years in 2016

The Good Garage Scheme starts off 2016 with celebrations of its 10th year anniversary.

We are so proud of our members and what we have achieved together...

• Over 754,000 customer feedbacks
• Over 3500 jobs booked online in 2015
• Over 1.5 million web page views in 2015
• National TV advertising on SKY, DAVE and ITV
• Over 400 members celebrating 10 year membership
• Top App as voted by the Sunday Times

New for 2016 are the Good Garage Scheme Service Plans, a budgeting tool for motorists to spread the cost of car servicing and MOT payments.

Have a look online for more information.

Happy 10th Birthday Good Garage Scheme - 10 years of having a friend in the know!

Merry Christmas from the Good Garage Scheme

Drive safely during the holiday season.

If you are going to have a festive drink, please do not drive.

Best wishes for Happy New Year.

from everyone at the Good Garage Scheme.

Driving in Heavy Rain?

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) for this week's guest blog with welcome advice on driving in heavy rain.

Don't forget to charge your phone and download the Good Garage Scheme's Free app before you set off for a drive in bad weather.

Ensure your drive is as safe as possible with the following tips from the IAM.

• Before setting off, check for any weather alerts, traffic updates or planned road closures that may affect your journey. Only travel in extreme adverse weather conditions if it is really necessary.
• Check the lights and windscreen wiper blades are clean and working properly. Also check the tyre pressure and tread depth to ensure the best possible grip on wet surfaces.
• Plan your route in advance and try to avoid any roads that are prone to flooding, even if it extends your journey.
• Heavy rain often leads to damaged road surfaces and puddles can hide deep potholes. ­ Look for clues such as loose chunks of tarmac.
• In heavy rain, don¹t forget to switch on your dipped headlights so other motorists can see you easily. Reduce your speed when travelling in the rain to increase your stopping distance. This will also help you pass through large puddles and potholes smoothly without spraying other road users or risking aquaplaning.
• Torrential rain may interfere with the electrics of a vehicle causing a breakdown. Prepare for the worst by keeping your mobile phone charged and with the number of your breakdown service provider already saved on it.
• While you wait for help, keep your bonnet closed as soaking the engine will only make it worse.

Mark Lewis, the IAM's Director of Standards said, "Driving in heavy rain can be very hazardous, so please allow for the increased time and distance. Remember to lift your vision and always be mindful of vulnerable road users who need more time to react to a hazard. As long as you drive carefully and take extra care in the rain, your journey should be a smooth one."

With thanks to the IAM, the UK's largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving and motorcycling.  For more information about the IAM, visit their website.

BBC asks Good Garage Scheme Member about Winter Checks

Nigel Cash from BBC Radio Derby interviewed Craig Lane from Five Lamps Auto Centre on the Sally Pepper show and asked for advice on the Good Garage Scheme's Winter Check.

Here are some of the things they discussed...

BBC: Why is it so important to check our cars at this time of the year - when temperatures plummet?
Craig Lane: It is important as there is more dangerous driving during poor conditions.
We need to make sure that things like tyres and windscreens are ok.

BBC: Do people overlook the need to have these checks done?
Craig Lane: Yes, people have their cars serviced once a year and believe that is all that's needed for the year. There are differences between a summer check and a winter check.




BBC: What are some of the things that people overlook during their own checks that are part of the Good Garage Scheme Winter checklist?

• Tyre tread depth
• Antifreeze and antifreeze strength
• Windscreen wash 

Craig advised that water alone will freeze and an antifreeze solution is required. He recommended a 50/50 mix to prevent it freezing when you need it most.

Nigel also spoke with Craig about winter tyres and had a Winter Check carried out on his own car while he was at the garage.

Listen here for a limited time. The interview starts on the iPlayer at 46 minutes into the programme and continues about at hour later at 1:47.

If you would like to find a Good Garage Scheme member near you to carry out a Winter Check, visit the Good Garage Scheme website and enter your postcode or town name.

It's like having a friend in the know!