Doing friends or family a good turn by being the designated driver this New Year’s Eve could prove extremely costly if you fail to make the necessary precautions beforehand.

Simple checks like ensuring there is enough tread on tyres not only mean you driving safely but help avoid a fine of up to £2,500.

Whilst we have had a record intake of apprentices this year, we have plans to grow the programme even further.

Currently two thirds of our garages have an apprentice but our aim is to attract and recruit enough apprentices to have at least one in every Autocentre and keep replenishing them with fresh talent as they graduate.

The IMI are proud to be associated with Halfords and ProVQ. Through rewarding challenges such as the Apprentice of the Year contest it is evident that real value is placed in the achievements of each individual.

With the number of smartphone users predicted to exceed 40 million by 2016 our goal was to create a mobile site that wasn’t just exceptional for a garage business but one that would exceed the expectations of any retail consumer.

The plan helps customers budget for essential maintenance through the convenience of paying a small sum each month, whilst also fixing the cost.

Customers are used to paying for other services – like TV licenses and mobile phone contracts - on a monthly basis, so we believe there is a latent demand for this type of plan.

Satnam is a fantastic addition to the team and brings fresh insight and expertise from his previous positions with Hyundai and VW Group UK that will make a big contribution to our operational delivery.

As a former technician and apprentice himself, Satnam is a real ambassador for training and has a genuine desire to ensure talent as well as hard work is recognised and developed.

Our garages see significantly more mis-fuelling cases during March and September - the peak months for new car purchase - than any other, which is largely made up of new vehicle owners who aren’t yet used to driving a diesel and have consequently made a mistake at the pump.

Our advice to any motorist who realises that they have put the wrong fuel in their car at the pump is not to attempt to drive off. If you have already driven away before realising your mistake, stop as soon as it is safe to do so because circulating the incorrect fuel can cause further unnecessary engine damage