Scotland Ash News

Didcot based Scotlands Ash Garage has revealed that for every MOT it undertakes between 1 November 2015 – 31 December 2016, it will donate £1 to the Teenage Cancer Trust, with the grand total expected to top more than £2000.

With around seven young people aged between 13 and 24 diagnosed with cancer every single day in the UK, Teenage Cancer Trust is the only charity committed to providing world-class cancer services for this unique age group in the UK. The life-changing care and support provided ensures young people do not have to face the challenges of cancer alone.

Scotlands Ash Garage proprietors, Peter and Ruth Welch, have first-hand experience of how cancer can affect young people when their own daughter, Libby, was diagnosed with a Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour at the age of just 20. Over the last year, Libby has received pioneering treatment for her cancer, and thanks to the support from the local community, family, friends, and tremendous skills and dedication of our National Health Service, Libby received clear scans in August and is now on the road to recovery.

Peter said: “Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity close to our hearts and we are pleased to have the opportunity to show our gratitude to the hard work it carries out. As a leading MOT test centre in the area, we have high hopes we can raise a significant amount and help the charity continue to change lives.”

Oxfordshire’s leading independent garage is committed to supporting various charities and events. It currently sponsors local football team, Wallingford Town FC as well as recently financially assisting a firework display for the local community in Aston Tirrold.

The family-run business has more than 30 years’ experience delivering excellent, honest service.

Scotlands Ash offers a wide range of services, including: MOTs, vehicle servicing, TerraClean,  general repairs on all makes and models and, also tyre fitting. And, with a large fleet of complimentary courtesy cars, the garage avoids any inconvenience to the customer, always offering a fully reliable service.

Please nominate Scotlands Ash Garage for ‘Small Garage of the Year’ at the 2016 CAT awards. Please CLICK HERE to email. Please use ‘Small Garage of the Year’ as the subject and our name in the content.

Please CLICK HERE to download the latest version of The Toolbox, the quarterly newsletter brought to you by Scotlands Ash Garage

As an independent garage, I never gloat over the failure of big companies and institutions when things go bad ­because in the end, it’s you and me that end up paying for the mistakes.

That’s not to say people and companies shouldn’t be held accountable for their actions, but the “where there’s blame there’s a claim approach” serves only to fulfill short-term requirements.

It’s the customer that ends up paying, for example to the banks through higher charges and to the car manufacturers with more expensive vehicles.

There’s a line that needs to be drawn, for which to operate under, but we shouldn’t gloat over the demise of others. Instead, we need to learn as a trade, through dialogue and communication with staff, suppliers and customers as to how we can improve and to ensure we provide them with correct information, when they need it.

Does the general public really care about emissions and the environment? They should do, but the reality is they don’t. There are enough pressures today without having to bear the pressure of climate change. The real issue is the betrayal. Nobody likes being lied to and so that’s the real message to take away from the recent scandal.

While the public bear the brunt of failure, they ultimately have the final say as to whether we or any business survives. No one expects companies to be perfect, just as long as they strive to be. If the aftermarket stays true to this, they won’t go far wrong.

Emissions testing statement – Martin Dowd, Managing Director Randstad Ltd & Phillip Dowd Sales Director, Randstad Ltd

“TerraClean welcomes the announcement by the government’s Transport Select Committee to investigate vehicle emissions testing.

“As a leading driver in the reduction of harmful emissions, TerraClean has lobbied for some time in favour of more stringent diesel vehicle emissions testing at MOT level. This would involve a five-gas analyser test for emissions over the current opacity test, which is inadequate. The five-gas analyser test, over and above the 4 gas test currently used on petrol vehicles, looks for the presence of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), the gas currently in question. If this had been implemented from 2009 – the year Euro 5 emissions came into force – the current issues may have been highlighted earlier.

“While vehicle recalls are likely in the current situation, it is our belief that a “software update” will have far reaching consequences, because more stringent emissions control could lead to a negative effect on engine performance and also result in excessive carbon build-up and the vehicle becoming less fuel efficient. As a result, a thorough investigation is therefore required before the recall is carried out.

“A recall will also highlight vehicles that have a modified emissions control system – brought about through the illegal removal of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems for example.

“DPFs are part of a legislative solution to reduce vehicle emissions. There are numerous organisations that openly advertise the removal of DPFs. We have continually brought this to the attention of relevant authorities tasked with upholding this law and our concerns and request for enforcement have not been actioned. There appears now to be a change of tone from the government given the current situation. We would welcome the opportunity to have an open discussion with relevant stakeholders on this issue.

“TerraClean UK is in close contact with its counterparts in Canada – home of TerraClean – to ensure we are on hand provide government with all the necessary assistance and technical expertise to ensure they carry out a full and proper investigation.”

Team TerraClean’s Taxi to Africa is planning a launch event on Saturday 1 August, which will see the grand unveiling of the Taxi “Maggie”. The team will travel across 14 countries and two continents in just nine days for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Throughout the day on Saturday 1 August, Team TerraClean will visit famous landmarks and shopping centres throughout the North East collecting contributions for Macmillan Cancer Support before finishing at The Keel Row, Whitley Bay.

Team TerraClean’s Taxi to Africa starts in Northumberland on 13 August. The team will head South and cross to France to take part in the Two Ball Banger Rally. The rally passes through France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Monte Carlo and Nice. Team TerraClean will then leave the rally and head to Africa to complete its journey.

Having won the Two Ball Rally in 2014, Team TerraClean’s taxi “Maggie”  is currently undergoing a major overhaul that includes a replacement Land Rover Discovery 3.9 V8 petrol engine and 4×4 chassis.

Phillip Dowd, Randstad Sales Director, said: “We’re giving people of the North East the chance to see our Taxi to Africa first before anyone in Europe. Our target is to raise £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support so we’re asking everybody to show their support and give as generously as possible.”

A justgiving.com page has been set up www.justgiving.com/Terraclean-On-Tour and people can text Taxi52 £3 to 70070

An after event party has also been planned for Sunday 30 August, with more details expected shortly.

West Hagbourne based Scotlands Ash Garage has announced a six-figure sum investment into the business to ensure it continues to lead the provision of vehicle servicing and repair throughout Oxfordshire.

The garage has invested in a new vehicle lift and computer system that allows the garage to service and repair brand new vehicles and communicate with customers more effectively.

Customers can now receive service & MoT reminders, invoices and messages from the garage via SMS or email.

And, for some time now, brand new vehicles have come into the garage as owners bemoan the inadequate servicing standards from main dealers, many of which are outlined on Scotlands Ash Garage’s Facebook page. The garage has authorised access to service and repair schedules from vehicle manufacturers, offering motorists greater choice and value for money.

Scotlands Ash Garage proprietor, Peter Welch said: “You can’t stand still in this business and we continue to invest in the garage. Maintaining a vehicle has become more and more frustrating for motorists over the years for a number of reasons so the aim, with our investment, is to remove the hassle and make the process as quick and efficient as possible.”

A team of mechanics from the TerraClean Service Centre network is undertaking a massive endurance test for Macmillan Cancer Support by travelling to Africa in a London Taxi.

Starting in Northumberland on 13 August, the team will head South and cross to France to take part in the TwoBall Banger Rally. The rally passes through France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Monaco.

Team TerraClean will then leave the rally and head to Africa to complete its journey. Phillip Dowd, Randstad sales director, said: “Driving to Africa in a vehicle with no air-conditioning during the height of summer is an endurance test in itself. Having won the TwoBall Rally last year, we’ve looked to challenge ourselves further this year – making Africa our destination – so that we can raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

A justgiving.com page has been set up www.justgiving.com/Terraclean-On-Tour and the network is calling on all automotive suppliers, motor factors and garages to pledge their support for this worthy cause.

The Taxi, nicknamed “Maggie”, is currently undergoing a major refit, with TerraClean mechanics giving up their own personal time to work on bringing the car up to road worthy status. Dowd added: “The automotive trade has again been brilliant and so many companies have already committed to supplying much needed parts and equipment to help bring Maggie up to standard.”

In 2014, the TerraClean team won the TwoBall Rally and is returning this year with two vehicles in order to boost awareness of Macmillan Cancer Support as it aims to raise more than £10,000 for the charity.

Details of Team TerraClean’s progress can be found on the team’s Facebook page and Twitter Feed.

Scotlands Ash Garage has invested in a new lift and computer system that allows the garage to access data and parts information in order to service and repair new vehicles.

For some time now, brand new vehicles have come into the garage as owners bemoan the inadequate servicing standards from main dealers, many of which are outlined on Scotlands Ash Garage’s Facebook page.

Under European Regulations renewed in 2010, car owners are no longer obliged to go to their main dealer during the vehicle’s warranty period and an independent garage (like Scotlands Ash) can service your car leaving the warranty intact.

You should still stick to recommended service schedules as outlined in your manual and have your independent garage fit parts of Original Equipment (OE) quality standard. You should also keep any maintenance and repair records as proof that you have met all requirements.

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has successfully challenged BMW after the car-making giant refused to honour the warranty on a vehicle that was serviced and repaired outside of the BMW main dealer network. Under European legislation, the fact that non-OE parts were used on a vehicle was insufficient reason for the warranty to be declared invalid and that full details of the servicing schedule and parts had been supplied to the German manufacturer.

TerraClean, the deep engine cleaning service to reduce emissions and restore performance, is planning to lobby UK government and the European Commission over proposed plans to clamp down on diesel vehicles.

Martin Dowd, TerraClean managing director, said: “It’s true that modern diesel engines are the most efficient and cleanest ever, but failure to adhere to regular servicing intervals plus the illegal removal of diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are contributing to a wider problem of increased air pollution.

“It is our intention, with our network of service centres and thousands of TerraClean customers nationwide to take the good work TerraClean does in reducing air pollution to UK government and beyond,” said Dowd.

Carbon prevents an engine reaching optimum performance, causes pre-ignition (pinging) and, lowers fuel mileage, all of which contribute to increased emissions.

Through the process of TerraClean, the removal of carbon at regular service intervals restores engine performance and allows for a cleaner fuel burn thereby reducing emissions and extending the engine life.

The Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, Ed Vaizey, has already seen first hand the positive effects of a TerraClean with a service carried out on his vehicle earlier this year.

Since its launch in the UK, TerraClean has been successful in reducing emissions on all types of petrol and diesel vehicles including, passenger cars, taxis, commercial vehicles, motorbikes and tractors.

“There is no question that exhaust fumes contribute massively to the poor air quality that can be found in the UK’s towns and cities. By getting rid of harmful carbon deposits, the vehicle burns cleaner and gives off less harmful emissions that contribute to poor air quality,” said Dowd.

The move follows a recent campaign from the company urging workshops not fall foul of the law and remove diesel particulate filters (DPFs), but instead revive blocked DPFs with the new TerraClean EGR cleaning tool.