SIMI Autosure

Neil Briscoe of The Irish Times Motors spoke to Steve Howard of Continental Tyres UK about the increase in the purchase of part worn tyres here in Ireland. According to a recent survey 51% of 2nd hand tyres tested were deemed "dangerous and not fit for purpose"

Irish Times Motors We also find out if tightening household budgets are driving us to unsafe tyres...

'The black economy in Ireland is worth €6 billion every year' - it is a serious problem in the Motor Industry here. As well as paying no tax, rogue operators are offering to service cars at a 'knock down price' without the required skills - Always make sure you go to a reputable dealer

SFA warn of €6 billion cost of black economy, urge government action The Small Firms Association is to meet with the Joint Oireachtas on Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation tomorrow and outline measures which they believe will help tackle the issue.

An article in the Sunday Independent says that the age of Ireland's car fleet 'raises serious questions of road safety' with motorists ignoring warning lights on their cars and some even going down the dangerous route of purchasing part-worn tyres

Putting petrol in your diesel car can result in bills of up to €2,000 and sometimes the engine has to be replaced.

Problem is less serious when diesel is put into a petrol engine. If less than 5 litres is used, the rest of the tank should be filled with petrol and the car will run as usual.

Drivers face huge bills after using wrong fuel HUNDREDS of hapless motorists are being hit with huge repair bills after mistakenly putting the wrong type of fuel into their cars.

UK: More than 50% of drivers wait until their tyres are at an illegal tread depth before having them replaced

Drivers leaving tyre changes to the last minute | Motoring News | Honest John Data from the UK’s largest tyre fitting centre shows that more than 50% of drivers wait until their tyres are at an illegal tread depth before having them replaced. The table shows that the trend is becoming more common as the economy struggles.

5 things you should expect when getting your car serviced in an SIMI member garage:

1. When an estimate is given, this will be given as a general guide to the cost of the work required.
2. When a quotation is given, this will be an agreed price to complete the agreed work.
3. A target completion date should be agreed with you.
4. During a service, if it becomes apparent that any additional time, labour or parts will be necessary to address additional work not previously identified, prior to this extra work carried being out, the garage should contact you for your approval.
5. Guarantees should always be provided in writing

good to hear the reaction

SIMI President Alan Lyons will be on Today FM's The Last Word from 530pm speaking on the survey in today's Irish Independent which shows a fall in the number of motorists who service their car annually

We're not filling tanks and skipping check-ups CASH-STRAPPED motorists are only partially filling their petrol tanks, skipping their annual service and cutting back on car washes in an attempt to save money.

The latest result are out from NCAP (European new car test programme) To see how your car performed in a crash test click here...

Euro NCAP - Your Safer Car Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers - both drivers and the automotive industry - with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety... - Euro NCAP - The Official Site of the European New Car Assessment Programme

So, what are the benefits of SIMI Autosure?

1. Only qualified staff are allowed to work on your vehicle
2. all old parts that are replaced are kept to show you how & why the work was carried out
3. What is quoted is what is charged. There will be no increase from the quote unless additional work identified by the garage is authorised by you, the customer
4. Only SIMI members can sign up to the scheme; those who sign up to SIMI's code of ethics

Look out for this Autosure sticker on the car window next time you go to buy a car.

A new survey by Škoda Ireland in today's Irish Independent shows that motorists are putting off their annual car service:
- 7 in 10 serviced their car annually, but this varied significantly by age
- 3/4 of 45+ year olds serviced their car annually
- 1/4 of 18-24 year olds only did so sporadically, when they thought of it.
- 69% were willing to pay for an annual car service

On the other hand:
- 40% of men check their tyres every month
- 80% said they were willing to spend more on better quality tyres that would last longer while 1 in 20 respondents only check their tyres once a year.