Abigail

It’s common knowledge that we spend a large portion of our lives at work, and while this is generally considered to positively impact our well-being, mental health concerns are on the rise.

A recent survey conducted by Ben – an organisation committed to supporting automotive industry employees – has shown “that mental health is one of the biggest issues affecting the wellbeing of the automotive industry workforce.” 91% of employees in this sector have been affected by a health and well-being issue in the last year, according to the same survey. 

So, why are mental health concerns so prevalent in this industry?

The auto sector is burdened with some of the highest stress and time-dependent tasks, which can affect mental health if not managed carefully. Employees are often judged on productivity, efficiency and output. Not to mention that the work is often physically demanding. As a predominantly male field, employees working in this industry often have trouble opening up about their problems. Unfortunately, there is a stigma that asking for help with a mental health issue makes you weak, when in fact, it does the opposite. 

Although individuals have a responsibility to look after themselves, there comes a time when employers need to step up and provide the necessary support, especially if a mental health issue has arisen due to a workplace-related problem. The Automotive Industry Survey 2018 discovered that only 1 in 4 employees reported receiving support to help understand or manage their mental health. In today’s world, where the topic of mental health is no longer taboo, this shouldn’t be the case. The pressure and impact of mental health issues are severe, and employers must act. The role of a mechanic can’t be changed – there’s not a lot that can be done to relieve the pressure of deadlines or make the work less physical – but that’s not to say there’s no hope. 

Garages such as ourselves that provide free, round-the-clock professional help and advice for their employees are leading the way for other automotive businesses in the hope of improving the overall well-being of this sector’s workforce. Our staff have access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme through Health Assured, the number one workplace wellbeing provider for four years. This programme provides our workers with 24/7 counselling and advice regarding any mental health matter via telephone, chat message, or however they wish to communicate. They can speak to mental health professionals about anything affecting them in their personal life or the workplace, whether that be financial difficulties or relationship breakdowns. 

We are responsible to our staff to support them in any way we can. We mean it when we say our door’s always open. 

So, you’ve not long purchased a new car and you need to get it into the garage for a service. You don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to the main dealer, but what choice do you have? Turns out, quite a lot. 

According to an agreement called the European Union Block Exemption legislation (and, yes, this does still stand in the UK, despite us leaving the EU): 

• Car makers in the UK cannot force a buyer to have their vehicle serviced by their official dealership
• A car under warranty needs to be serviced using approved parts only…
• …and must be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines, adhering to a set schedule
• If your car requires repair work for failed parts under its new car warranty, the manufacturer has the right to insist that this work is undertaken by its official dealerships – they are paying for the repair, so this is fair. 

It is completely up to you where you take your new car for its service. If you do choose to turn your back on the main dealer and search for a more affordable option, make sure you choose a reputable organisation; one with professional, qualified technicians to do the job. 

Most importantly, make sure you have your service book stamped, ensure you keep records of any work done and insist that approved parts and lubricants are used in any repairs, as this is one of the requirements to ensure your car remains under warranty. 

Although this is a regulation put in place by the European Union, and the UK is no longer part of this, a spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said, “…we don’t see anything changing in that respect for the foreseeable future.”

“It’s important that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines concerning service intervals, such as one year or 10,000 miles, and you must use the approved parts. But otherwise, you can’t be forced to use a dealer’s workshop for your car’s service.”

At K Brown Auto Repairs, we use up-to-date, recognised software to determine a vehicle’s service schedule and the relevant parts to use. We have fully trained technicians at both our garages. Any work undertaken by mechanics-in-training will be closely monitored by fully proficient members of staff to ensure a high quality of work is maintained. 

Rising fuel costs, along with an increase in the cost of overall living, is a problem we are all facing. Understanding how your car uses its fuel, and what you can do to reduce the amount consumed, is a way to help offset the rise in costs.

Since the weather is due to heat up in the next couple of months – we can only hope! – it’ll be handy to know how to cool your car interior effectively, without using too much fuel. 

How much fuel does your air-con consume?

The compressor needs energy to run your vehicle’s air conditioning system and will use a small amount of fuel whenever the system is running. It could increase your fuel usage by as much as 10 per cent.

This inflation is more noticeable on short journeys; when you set off, the system has to work really hard to bring the internal temperature down. Once it’s down to a comfortable level, the airflow rate can be reduced, the temperature increased, or even turned off completely. Long journeys usually don’t require the air con to be blasting the whole way, hence why using your air-con on short journeys can cause more of an increase in fuel consumption.

How to save fuel:

• When you first start driving, try opening the windows for a couple of minutes if it’s warm. This will remove the majority of the hot air in the cabin so your air conditioning won’t have to work too hard.
• Remember, although driving with your windows open is fine (and can help reduce fuel consumption) at slow speeds, it is not advised to do the same when you’re driving faster. The drag caused by open windows could actually use additional fuel. 
• In terms of fuel usage, it’s obviously better to drive without the windows open or the air con on. But, on a hot day, this can make the cabin incredibly uncomfortable. 
• It’s crucial to have your car’s air conditioning system serviced regularly. Much like a boiler, your car’s air-con has to be maintained to prevent problems in the future, despite the fact that it seems to be working fine in the present. Your air-con system should be serviced every two years to ensure it is running efficiently and any lost refrigerant is replaced. The less efficient the system, the more fuel it will use. 

If your car is more than three years old, an annual MOT test is non-negotiable – in fact, it’s a legal requirement to ensure your car is roadworthy. A car with an expired or failed MOT is illegal to drive and could land you with a hefty fine, and even a driving ban. 

It is estimated that around 40% of cars submitted for an MOT check fail the test. Here are some quick checks you can do to improve your chances.

There are other checks that a technician will conduct during the MOT that are not so easy to do yourself beforehand. This list is not exhaustive, but it does help you prepare your car at least somewhat for its MOT test.

Is your MOT expiring soon?

If the deadline for your MOT test is coming up you’ll want to get your car booked in for a test ASAP. Try our online booking system if you’re tight for time. Or, if you fancy a chat, call either of our friendly reception teams on 01485 533786 for Hunstanton or 01553 763763 for King’s Lynn.