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WELCOME<br />

<strong>The</strong><br />

Today’s customer<br />

expectations<br />

are high...<br />

Supporting the Independent <strong>Garage</strong> and MOT sector<br />

Issue <strong>289</strong><br />

February 2019<br />

Hello<br />

Welcome to this issue of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong>.<br />

Welcome to this issue of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong><br />

THERE’S definitely a case for seeing<br />

a car’s battery as being THE unsung<br />

hero: It’s completely ignored, and<br />

sometimes even forgotten about, until<br />

it decides to call it a day. And we<br />

all know what happens next: Driver puts key<br />

in the ignition, turns the key, and… nothing.<br />

<strong>The</strong>n, of course, a motorist thinks about<br />

the battery, but by then they’re late for work,<br />

or getting their children to school, or catching<br />

a train – well, you get my drift.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re’s no getting away from just how<br />

much more work a battery does today, compared<br />

with that in a car 20 years ago. <strong>The</strong>re’s<br />

clearly more electronic wizardry controlling<br />

the engine management system, the steering,<br />

any number of safety systems, not to mention<br />

all those entertainment features today’s<br />

drivers and passengers evidently require.<br />

But let’s go back to replacing the battery.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se days it’s vital – particularly with stop/<br />

start systems, to fit the correct type, but as<br />

we know, changing a battery isn’t as quick as<br />

it used to be. And, in some cases, you have to<br />

find where it’s located, as putting the battery<br />

in the engine bay is becoming very much a<br />

thing of the past.<br />

This issue also takes a look at exhausts –<br />

Contact us<br />

Editorial<br />

Specialist Writers<br />

Richard Barnett<br />

Design & Layout<br />

Lizzie Colbert<br />

lizzie.colbert@ppmedia.co.uk<br />

Production<br />

Mark Blacker<br />

mark.blacker@ppmedia.co.uk<br />

Advertising<br />

Stuart Woolley<br />

stuart.woolley@ppmedia.co.uk<br />

Our Address:<br />

Editorial, Production and<br />

Advertising address:<br />

Partnership Publishing Limited<br />

Bridge Road, Wellington<br />

Telford, Shropshire<br />

TF1 1RY<br />

Telephone:<br />

Telephone - 01952 415334<br />

Fax - 01952 522567<br />

Website:<br />

www.garageandmot.com<br />

the management systems and the emissions<br />

systems that control just how much gas (and<br />

of course how many pollutants) – and just<br />

how this sector is advancing technically. And<br />

while there’s no denying those advances, today’s<br />

workshops cannot give this segment a<br />

miss, because doing so hands work back to<br />

the main dealer network.<br />

Things have moved on since the introduction<br />

of catalytic convertors and diesel particulate<br />

filters, and they provide good regular<br />

income, especially come replacement time.<br />

But so too can exhaust system replacements,<br />

because while they last longer than they used<br />

to, they can be damaged or suffer from the<br />

damp build-up resulting from too many<br />

short journeys.<br />

So there we have it – two market sectors<br />

still bringing in good regular work, - and<br />

profitably too.<br />

All the best!<br />

Richard Barnett, features’ editor<br />

PS. If you agree, disagree or have anything to<br />

add to our comments please email:<br />

stuart.woolley@ppmedia.co.uk<br />

<strong>The</strong><br />

Supporting the Independent <strong>Garage</strong> and MOT sector<br />

is published by: Partnership<br />

Publishing Ltd, Bridge Road,<br />

Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY<br />

<strong>The</strong> Motor<br />

Ombudsman<br />

can help you<br />

to exceed them.<br />

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Use our recognised logos to show<br />

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Receivefirst-handconsumer<br />

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Enjoy unlimited access to our<br />

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Access training modules to<br />

understand key consumer<br />

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Get tailored help and information<br />

from our expert team<br />

To take advantage of all of these<br />

benefits, and more, for less than<br />

£19+VAT per month, e-mail<br />

business@tmo-uk.org or call<br />

0345 241 3008<br />

<strong>The</strong>MotorOmbudsman.org<br />

MOTOR INDUSTRY CODE OF PRACTICE<br />

SERVICE AND REPAIR<br />

VEHICLE SALES<br />

Twitter: @garageandmot<br />

3 Comment.indd 1 04/02/2019 09:44

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