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State of the Auto repair Industry in my Part of the World

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State of the Auto repair Industry

This is in reply to your Tweet, “Why Your Employees May be Looking to Quit”.

I am going to try and answer this complex question! As the owner of a small garage in the county of West Yorkshire UK then there are many factors. Long term then it all boils down to how you or your management treat people, (your staff of course).

In my opinion then this is why small/medium garages have always come out in the best health when times get tuff. I have now been running my garage for almost fifty years. Many of my staff are long term employees.

These good people are diamonds and should be looked after all along the way. Millions of small and medium garage and autocentre owners will know exactly what I mean.

We all hear horror stories about how the national garage chains treat there staff. Forcing them to work extra hours and always having to sell addons when they are not required.

Customers are not stupid

I always ake sure that my staff are looked after so they too can have a good living out of the business. Some owners prefer to do this illegally . However I prefer to use various bonus schemes. I must emphasise that these bonus schemes are not tied down to any targets in any way.

All my married staff have settled down into nice homes and have a good standard of living. This is how it should be. The only thing that I ask is that they are polite and helpful to the customers. All my staff are taught to be multi taskers.

Not only do they do the job of repairing cars but they can also take the customers through the whole procedure of paying for the work done and issuing sales invoices and dealing with credit card payments.

I find that this gives the staff and the customers a better shopping experience due to the personel contact. Another thing I ask for is that my staff should have total access to our computer system and also can answer any phones from incoming calls.

We do have receptionists and deopt managers. However should they be busy or on another call then any member of staff can take the call and have the power to deal with the customer if thet can. Customers are not stupid they can see that my gargae is a well run and happy operation.

We are not perfect and sometimes we do get a bad apple. However they are sussed out early and it is usually through my staff.

I could go on for ages but to bring things up to 2022 where we are now, then we do have staffing problems going forward !

At the moment because people are keeping their cars longer we are packed out. We are also an MOT testing station and are booked up for three weeks at the moment. I am struggling to find at least two new members of staff.

It looks like younger people do not  want to get their hands dirty anymore. My only hope for the State of the Auto repair Industry, is for some return to the apprentice schemes we had in days gone by.

Once you get them then you must work hard to keep them ?

Scrap Tyre Dumping Returns

Waste Tyre Uses- there are many uses of scrap tyre now including these great planters.

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Waste Tyre Uses

Correct tyre disposal is in all our interest. Old tyres are just part of the problem of recycling all our waste. During recent times we have started to solve the problem of mass disposal of our scrap tyres. Hence, they are now turned into many useful items. Importantly, such as tarmac chipping where the small pieces of rubber are shredded. So, these rubber chips are added to tarmac to give a quieter road surface. The other big use is that they are used to power cement kilns. Thus, which are specially heated to dry out the liquid cement in large kilns. The kilns are designed not to emit any smoke into the atmosphere, making this a very green process.   

In essence, the thing that I am pleased with is the millions of ways that ordinary people have found ways to use our old car tyres to make different items. Some make clothing and jewelry, but the main items are made into garden objects and I think that they look really good. I am starting to show some of these ideas on my blog and hope to inspire people to use a few old waste tyres into making similar things.

Waste Tyres Uses-Collected from any tyre depot for free

Ultimately, tyre depots would only be too pleased to let any gardener take scrap ones. Of course, to be used as planters. Here in Halifax UK we are only too pleased to help anyone out with some old ones.

So, to bring things up to date, then gardening has become more popular in 2020. Subsequently, due to the terrible covid 19 lockdown that we here in the UK have had to put up with. People have taken up a greater interest in nature! Including a rise in the number of gardeners. Given these points, people in smaller gardens have taken to container based gardening. Including using old tyres again.

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MOT Testing Halifax-Wheels and Tyres-Explained

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Pellon Autocentre is an MOT Testing Halifax station with over 20 years experience.

MOT Testing Halifax is part of a series of explanations. About, how the MOT Rules works to keep your car safe and legal. When you prepare your car for the MOT test, the follow advice will apply. Especially, when dealing with wheels and tyres. The first thing to check are the wheels. As a result, if you have alloy wheels. Because, you should check for serious damage and cracks. Also, you must have a full set of wheel nuts fitted. If your car has steel wheels and plastic hub caps. Of course, the nuts will not be checked by the tester. Thus, they will only be checked if you remove the hub caps before the car is tested.

If any nuts are missing then this will result in a failure.

According to the DVLA MOT Rules. The tyre condition is very important. Testers look for any side wall damage and for any cuts or damage to the tyre tread. The tester will also check the tread depth. Using his official tread depth gauge. The legal limit is 1.6 mm across three-quarters of the tread width . This can be detected by a visual look at the tyres. Of course, before you present the car for a test. Tyre manufacturers build into the tyre treads a wear indicator bar. For when the tyre wears down to the bar a bald patch is visible. Police officers also use these bars as away of a quick check of tyre condition. Especially, when stopping a motorist for a check over.

Spare wheels and tyres are not part of the MOT test,

MOT Testing Halifax. You may not present a car for a test with a temporary spare on the car.Also, you must present the car with the best four wheels and tyres on your car. Tyre sizes are checked on the car on the same axle. But other information such as load ratings are not checked.Because, this is deemed as too technical. As a result, some cars may break the law. They are not part of an MOT test and therefore will not fail.
It is always good practice to have your car checked out or have a service when you have your car tested, this will ensure that your car is legal and safe. Pellon Autocentre is leading MOT Testing Halifax area.

Pellon Tyre and Autocentre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. 

Scrap Tyre Dumping Returns

Potholes Damage Tyres-every mile on Calderdale Roads – Halifax Evening Courier

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Potholes Damage Tyres

‘One pothole every mile’ on roads Halifax Evening Courier It added that UK councils had received 32,600 compensation claims in 

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Potholes damage tyres

This is the sort of thing that we have been harping on about for years. Year after year we all complain about the potholes but nothing seems to get done.

most of the potholes are due to poor road repairs by contractors, but i suppose that the locals councils should have guys to check the contractors workmanship along the way to check their workmanship.

I must admit that this year in the Kirklees district of West Yorkshire, we seem to be having road works coming out of our ears, indeed the main Bradley to Barnsley road was closed for total resurfacing because of the potholes, for at least two weeks, but they have repaired all the horrible potholes and the road is now a pleasure to drive on.

The effects of these potholes are that Potholes Damage Tyres,

Including, wheels and suspension. Especially the coil springs. There are many drivers now  Claiming for Potholes Damage compensation. Putting claims into the local councils for Potholes Damage Tyres . At one stage we were having to fail a large percentage of MOT tests .Because of the broken springs. due to potholes and speed bumps. here in the Halifax area.This excellent article tells of some of the figures and costs relating to these holes in the road.

We are now in the year of 2020! Potholes are still a problem all over the UK. Consequently, the government has thrown millions at the problem. However potholes are still a major problem. Including on our high speed motorways.

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Cheap Brake Pads are they Worth It?

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Cheap Brake Pads

Cheap Brake Pads

Of course, your vehicle’s braking system is composed of multiple components. Subsequently, working in tandem to bring your vehicle to a halt once the brake pedal is engaged. The hydraulic system, which most automobiles utilize. Hence, uses fluid to transmit the pressure from the brake pedal to the brake. The brake discs, a wheel-mounted concave disk. Converts the kinetic energy into thermal energy, which is subsequently absorbed and dissipated by the brake.

Brake fluid is stored within the master cylinder and flows into the callipers through the brake Pipes(lines) Of course, which clamp the brake pads onto the rotors. Thus stopping the vehicle. The brake pads, which are composed of steel with surface-bound friction material. Ultimately, press against the rotor and create the necessary friction to decelerate and halt the car.

As all motorists know to their cost, then eventually, the pads will deteriorate due to constant contact with the rotors. Furthermore, driving habits can affect the brake pad’s lifespan. For instance, frequent braking or driving through urban areas. Which require frequent stops and starts, can necessitate brake pad replacement on a more often.

Four brake pad types are available, each with distinct performance and cost differences.

They are, in order of increasing price:

• Low-Metallic, Non-Asbestos Organic: These brake pads are budget-friendly, but they are also the loudest and generate the most brake dust, which can reduce braking effectiveness.

• Non-Asbestos Organic: These brake pads are made of rubber, glass, fiber, or Kevlar. They are extremely silent, but they wear out much faster than other types and generate a lot of dust.

• Semi-Metallic: These brake pads contain 30% to 65% metal, typically steel, copper, composite alloys, or iron. Durable and economical, semi-metallic brake pads are gentler on the rotors than ceramic pads, but they perform worse in extreme weather conditions and produce more noise.

• Ceramic: Ceramic brake pads are the most expensive, but they are also the highest-performing and most silent option. Unlike the plates in your kitchen cabinet, ceramic pads are interwoven with copper strands to make them tough enough to withstand prolonged usage.

CHEAP VERSUS EXPENSIVE BRAKE PADS

Most cars sold today come with non-asbestos organic brake pads. These are designed for road use and function well in your vehicle. Additionally, they are cost-effective, although they will need to be replaced frequently. Here at Pellon Tyres we use the best pads possible to suit the customers particular budget. We never us the cheapest pads or any other brake parts to that matter.

However, if you want a cleaner and quieter option, ceramic brake pads are the way to go. Although more expensive, ceramic pads will last much longer and can even extend the lifespan of other brake components because of their high heat resistance. Certain car models recommend we fit these ceramic pads, so we do!

It’s important to remember that ceramic brake pads produce less friction, resulting in a longer stopping distance. As a result, larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks are better off with organic pads.

Regardless of which type of brake pads you choose, it’s essential to invest in high-quality versions. Cheap brake pads not only generate a lot of dust and noise but also pose a significant safety hazard.

Brake pads are seeing to be the products of harmful dust and therefore bad for the environment. I fear that this will be a problem to face from governments regarding this in the future.

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MOT Test Combined with Car Servicing | FindGarage.Co.Uk

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MOT Test Combined with Car Servicing

Unlike an MOT test, servicing is not a legal requirement for your vehicle. However, you will probably find that regular servicing can help to keep everything.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

We all must be responsible for our cars servicing and MOT test

Sometimes I find it a great shame. Incredibly,  that we in the motor trade. Insistently, have to keep harping on about servicing your cars. One of the main excuses in recent times! Of course, has been the recession. Recently, car drivers just haven’t had any spare cash to spend on their vehicles. Consequently, we have all seen people just putting £10’s worth of fuel into their cars at the filling station? Ridiculous, but true !

In my opinion I think that these people should have some kind of a budget. A sort of “piggy bank” and save to have their vehicle serviced. Including any mechanical work required when it goes in for its annual MOT test. Incidentally it is estimated that 4.7 million miss their mot testing date. I am sure that drivers either just flaunt the law or are not aware that driving your

car without a valid MOT test certificate is an offense reference section 47 of the 1988 Road Traffic Act.

Also driving without an MOT test will make your insurance invalid and you may receive a fine of up to £1000. Is it really worth it, when you can have an MOT test and a service for most average family saloons for around £150? If you are not sure where you can go for your vehicle serviced you should go online and look for your nearest local independent garage they will offer you excellent service at a fair price.

Once you have had your MOT test and service you should be safer for another year, although I recommend that you have an engine oil and filter change in between the tests to be on the safe side. Also do not forget check your levels at regular periods, say once a week and top them up when required.

Here we are now at the back end of 2020, nearing Christmas time and the price of fuel has plummeted. The only problem is that the price of oil and petrol is not following as fast. The experts say that it may take a little longer for this to take place, but i was just wondering if services on cars wold be also coming down. I am not so sure , but i suspect so.

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MOT Test Safer Roads-The annual MOT Test make our roads a safer place to drive on.

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MOT Test Safer Roads

MOT Test Safer Roads

Some motorists may think that the ministry of transport (VOSA) are in a money making  racket. Because you have to take your car to be MOT tested every year to pass a roadworthy test. But they do not see that having those MOT tests, . Actually help prevent accidents and cut down on road deaths by keeping badly maintained vehicles off the road.

By carrying out an MOT test every year on vehicles that have been on the road for three years from their first registration, VOSA has successfully managed to lower the number of unsatisfactory cars on the road, making things safe for the rest of us.

So if you have had your car for at least three years then you need to find your nearest MOT test  station and have your car MOT tested. The easiest way is to book online, you can search for MOT Halifax if you need to find your nearest testing station if you live in the Calderdale area of West Yorkshire.

MOT Test Safer Roads-Any testing station?

It is possible to take it to any testing station to have it tested there.Consequently, you can be on your way home soon after you get a test completed. The only thing you need to know. Hence, is that they are a fully accredited testing station. Able to carry out a thorough and legal test. It is also important that they don’t let you get away with small mechanical faults. Of course that would affect  the road worthiness of your vehicle.

After all, this will defeat the whole purpose. Thus, of having the tests carried out in the first place. You want to make sure that your vehicle gets through the test as smooth as possible. As a result, there are many checks that need to be performed. During the MOT Test , your car has to meet the standard. So, for ,these checks. Consequently, you will be ready to go home in no time with a pass. The bodywork on your car needs to be in good condition. Therefore, no rusting or rotten holes. The fuel system, emissions tests and exhaust system. All needs to be good working order without any excessive CO2 than is required.

MOT Test Safer Roads-Your car could fly past the MOT test

Seat belts and seats must not be rotted and be able to keep you secured. Your brakes must still have enough pads left in them before the next brake check, and your tyres need enough tread to make sure you have the minimum legal requirements. . Make sure your lights and indicators are in good working order and your wipers must be in good condition to ensure they clear the windscreen when it is raining and the rubber blades are in good shape. Your steering and suspension need to be within regulation standards to make sure you are able to control the movement of the vehicle no loose worn parts. Your registration, plates and Vehicle identification need to be in good order as well. So look after your car and it should fly through the MOT Test Safer Roads.

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Customers Satisfaction Ratings-Blowing our own Trumpet! Pellon Auto Centre Halifax UK

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Customers Satisfaction Ratings

Customers Satisfaction Ratings

I must admit that in most of my years as a garage owner then customer satisfaction ratings were never known. Of course up to the advent of the modern computers then there was no such things as ratings fro your customers. So its become a thing of the future! And why not. Importantly, it is one of the best indicators that your business is doing well. Whatever type of product or service that you are selling.

Another happy positive is that when you have high ratings then its no coincidence that your business will be thriving. Anyhow thats my experience! Consequences, also set out other parameters, that give will the thriving business the best results. In my opinion number one factor is having the right staff. Especially when in the garage situation.

Garage owners just dont get it !

Of course the  garages of today have got a lot to thank for the starting of the “Kwik-Fit” era. Coming out of an American idea from the infamous Tommy Farmer, then fast fits brought the garage industry into the 21st century. Incidentally we do still have the dirty back street type of garages and scruffy second hand tyre shops for all to see. However the garages that prosper will have all the right mixtures of ideas and cleanliness that the modern driver s are looking for. This also reflects on the particular garage businesses ratings of customer satisfaction.

These days of consumerism mean that we all have to try harder, be more polite and generally “bend over backwards”. So to keep our ratings high. Consumers are very savvy  and will freely give a business a good review. Strangely enough there does not seam to be a middle of the road review! At least not with us at Pellon Autocentre. Most reviews are in fact 5 stars which is excellent for us. However, we get the odd customer who will give us just a 1 star rating.

I must confess that I used to hate this. Although very rare then it is all part of system. We will never please everybody! Now I take the time to look into this. So, when we receive a low rating then I now investigate the poor result. Then first thing that hits me is that my excellent staff always know about the circumstances. I truly believe that there is a certain type of person who is never going to be happy.

Whatever and wherever they go, these people are trouble.

So, I know before I say anything that my staff know exactly what has happened. Believe me or not it is always the customer that has caused the problem leading to them giving us a 1 star rating. Importantly, we do make mistakes! After all we are only human. But a good garage will handle any problem in the correct manner. Always changing a possible bad situation into a good outcome. This includes all our garage services and products. Including tyres and associated services. and MOT testing.

Finally we do have good reviews on Google and Facebook. But in my opinion our online tyre portal www.pellontyres.co.uk is the most accurate and is not open to any low score abuse from “keyboard warriors”. Subsequently, trying to knock your reputation by giving a false low score. Bellow I have published our excellent results and would like to thank our great customers. So, for taking the time and energy to give us the results that all businesses dream about.

Net Promoter Score Results

Your NPS score is:

93.33%

What does your NPS score mean?

Your NPS score tracks customers on how they represent your company to their family, friends and colleagues.

  • A negative score means you have more Detractors than Promoters and your organization is unlikely to grow.
  • A NPS score of above 0 is considered to be good.
  • A NPS score above 50 is considered to be exceptional. This also indicates that awareness of your organization will grow through word-of-mouth marketing.

The NPS score is calculated by subtracting the percentage of Detractors (those who scored your fitting centre as a 0-6) from Promoters (those that scored your fitting centre as 9-10). This generates your Net Promoter Score.

Many Thanks from me and all my excellent staff for their contribution to having great Customers Satisfaction Ratings.

Eric Roberts

keeping your car in good shape.

MOT tester fined £1,300- for issuing fraudulent certificates

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MOT tester fined £1,300

MOT tester fined £1,300

An MOT tester who issued false MOT certificates at a Surrey garage was hit with a £1,300 fine and 200 hours of community service. On January 4, Benjamin Aaron Sinclair pleaded guilty in Guildford Magistrates Court to seven offences of fraud by false representation. I must confess that it must be a nightmare when this sort of thing happens in your garage and MOT centre.

Many years ago, I had to advertise for an MOT tester, because the one I had left to go work in a larger main dealer garage. The grass is always greener! The applicants were not what i was looking for. However I manged to select one and crack on with the Testing.

At first I thought he was trustworthy. However, we heard a couple of rumours from people in the trade and discovered otherwise. he was as crafty as a fox. However we managed to catch him fiddling a non MOT item and was dismissed immediately.

Since then I have always trained my MOT testers and promoted within. Ryan Linton and Dale Linton are my long term testers. Alternating the testing with other management skills.

While employed by Godalming Garage Ltd in Godalming, Surrey,

The tester was accused of granting MOT certificates to seven vehicles without executing a test in order to profit financially. The offences happened last year between February 18 and April 6. I am amazed at these people thinking that they can get away with these things. MOT testers are very well monitored at all times. Both by the ministry and also in house as in this case at Godalming garage.

Magistrates also ordered Sinclair to pay £1,300 in costs and a £95 surcharge for victim services, along with 200 hours of unpaid labour to be completed within the next 12 months. GW Podcast: Appreciating the influence of data from the garage workshop
The DVSA registered 1,324 incidents of MOT Fraud between 2021 and 2022. Out of these, 351 cases in 2017 and 710 in 2018 were the most serious cases including dishonesty and negligence, representing a considerable increase.

The DVSA has the authority to prevent anyone from taking tests.

This to me is the worse part. This type of thing brings shame to your garage, just for a few extra pounds in your pocket. MOT testers are hard to find these days. So, there is no need to try a fiddle your employee’s out of a few pounds. However some people are like that and are never satisfied with whatever pay they get at the end of the week.

288 authorised examiners were barred from the MOT programme in 2021, and a total of 127 authorised examiners were prohibited from operating Vehicle Testing Stations.

This includes suspensions for 185 tester cases and 85 authorised examiner cases involving the most serious offences, like dishonesty and gross carelessness.

An MOT tester has been slapped with a £1,300 fine and 200 hours’ community service for issuing fraudulent MOT certificates at a Surrey garage. Benjamin Aaron Sinclair admitted seven counts of fraud by false representation at

Source: MOT tester fined £1,300 for issuing fraudulent certificates

Dishonest MOT testers a Nightmare

DVSA Reflects on 2022 MOT changes

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DVSA Reflects on 2022 MOT changes

6 Reasons to have your car tested on time

  1. It is a legal requirement to have an MOT test done on your vehicle if it is more than 3 years old.
  2. An MOT test checks that your vehicle is safe to drive on the road, so it is important to make sure that it is done on time to ensure the safety of you and other road users.
  3. If you do not have a valid MOT certificate, you could be fined up to £1,000 and your insurance may not be valid.
  4. An MOT test can identify any issues with your vehicle that need to be fixed, so it is a good opportunity to get any necessary repairs done before they become more serious and expensive.
  5. Having an MOT test done on time can help to extend the lifespan of your vehicle by ensuring that it is well maintained.

If you are planning to sell your vehicle, a valid MOT certificate can increase its value.

DVSA Reflects on 2022 MOT changes

The DVSA evaluated “changes and enhancements” it made to the MOT during the course of the previous 12 months.

A new status page for MOT digital services, including MTS and MOT reminders, was introduced at the start of 2022.

The new page displays information on the services in real-time, including whether any of them are down for maintenance or other reasons.

In order to make the AEDM’s responsibilities more apparent, the role was reviewed in march.

More than 97% of MOT testers completed their annual training and assessment in April, which was a record-high completion percentage for the DVSA.

To enable AEs to verify that their testers had finished their evaluation, changes were made to the MTS.

Basic disclosure checks for some MOT testers

Of course, including all newly trained MOT testers, were also implemented by the DVSA in the same month.

Prior to conducting a demonstration test, a basic disclosure certificate, often known as a DBS check, must be presented.Additionally, it implemented new off-site inspections and conducted connected equipment research with MOT shops.

The DVSA upgraded and made it simpler to book MOT demonstration tests online in September.

In order to inform drivers of the additional features added to the MOT reminders and MOT history services, the agency launched a new campaign in October.

It is now simpler for drivers to access and print their MOT certificates as well as monitor and modify their MOT reminders.”We couldn’t have accomplished these improvements without your cooperation and support, so thank you from everyone at DVSA,” a DVSA spokeswoman said.

“We anticipate expanding on this effort in the coming year.”

mot test fruad

The DVSA has reflected on “changes and improvements” that it made to the MOT in the past 12 months. The beginning of 2022 saw a new status page for MOT digital services, including MTS and MOT

Source: DVSA celebrates 2022 MOT changes