On The Ramp - The Independent Automotive Garage Owners Podcast.

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group.

To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

Tyres are often treated as an afterthought — but they might be the biggest untapped opportunity in the aftermarket.

We sit down with Quentin from GiPA UK to look at the data behind tyre sales, EV wear patterns, MOT failures, and why so many garages are losing out on both retention and new business. From tyre-only depots to MOT regulation, EV fleets to customer psychology — this one’s packed with insight.

If you're thinking about the future of your garage, this episode is a must-listen.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome back: Tyres, research, and missed opportunities

10:17 – Why 20% of workshop visits are tyre-related

18:02 – Sponsored segment

19:15 – EV tyre failure stats and surprising MOT trends

28:03 – Are EVs entering the aftermarket too late?

35:42 – Selling safety: Why tyre education matters more than ever

Subscribe for more expert insight, honest conversation, and real stories from inside the independent garage sector.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#ontheramp #automotiveindustry #independentgarages #EVrepair #gipa #castrol

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group.

To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

From two Ford apprentices in a tiny workshop to running a multi-site operation with its own EV battery repair lab — this is the story of Kevin Pearce and Cedar Garage.

We talk about growing through mistakes, how to buy a business the smart way, building a high-performing team, and why Kevin is now investing in some of the most technical EV repairs in the country. If you're thinking about expansion or wondering how to scale without losing your mind — this one's for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and Kevin’s early career

21:36 – Sponsored segment

22:50 – Acquisitions, team churn, and learning how to lead

33:00 – Buying vs. building, TUPE, MOT licences, and renovations

47:00 – The Cedar Electric story: EV batteries, national repair, and laser welders

01:03:00 – Delegation, team structure, and what's next for site number five

Subscribe for more expert insight, honest conversation, and real stories from inside the independent garage sector.

#ontheramp #garageowners #automotiveindustry #evrepair #castrol

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group.

To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

From burnout in retail to building a garage brand from scratch, this episode tells the powerful story of Louise Baker, founder of Womanic.

With no formal qualifications and just £400 to her name, Louise started fixing cars in her apartment car park while raising her daughter solo. Now fully booked, she runs her own workshop, speaks in schools, and is inspiring the next generation of technicians through her work and her new all-female show, Auto Angels.

We talk about leaving the motor trade, finding the courage to return, and how she built a business with nothing but grit, honesty, and a deep love for the job.

If you're in the trade, this one will hit home.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and early influences

18:02 – Burnout, the Tesco years, and rediscovering purpose

21:36 – Sponsored segment

22:12 – Launching Womanic and building a customer base

33:01 – Inspiring the next generation through school and college visits

47:00 – Building a garage, giving back, and future plans

53:00 – Reflections, contentment, and advice for the next generation

Subscribe for more expert insight, honest conversation, and real stories from inside the independent garage sector.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#ontheramp #garageowners #automotiveindustry #womeninthetrades #castrol

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group. To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

Fife Autotech’s Chay joins us to share how he went from a dealership technician to building one of the most successful specialist garages in Scotland – hitting £1M turnover in just 3 years.

In this episode, Chay breaks down the reality of starting from scratch, the mindset behind his decisions, and what it really takes to scale a garage quickly — from risk and sacrifice to hiring the right team and obsessing over numbers.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:12 – How did he get into the trade?

22:35 – Sponsored Segment

23:49 – Apprenticeship, job loss, and regaining momentum

43:04 – Diagnostic journey, SimplyDiag, and early business plans

01:04:05 – Starting Fife Autotech and rapid growth

01:21:30 – Building a strong team and scaling the business

01:27:05 – Finding balance and reflections on the journey

01:31:10 – What’s next for Fife Autotech?

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#ontheramp #automotivebusiness #independentgarage #automotiveindustry

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group. To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

Finance can be one of the hardest things for independent garages to get right — and one of the least talked about.

In this episode, we sit down with Lee Schofield, founder of One Funding, for an honest look at the real challenges and opportunities around funding a garage business.

From asset finance to working capital, buying another business to managing risk, this conversation covers the key questions every garage owner should be thinking about. Whether you’re growing fast or just planning ahead, Lee shares practical advice based on years of experience in the industry.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:24 – Guest background: About Lee and One Funding

03:51 – What are the biggest financial challenges for independent garages?

08:43 – Understanding asset finance

23:02 – Ensuring you have sufficient working capital30:18 – Sponsored segment

31:32 – Managing cash flow and exploring business loans

48:47 – How can you finance the purchase of another business?

53:29 – What should you look for in a finance provider?Subscribe for more expert insight, honest conversation, and real stories from inside the independent garage sector.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#ontheramp #automotivebusiness #garagefinance #independentgarage #automotiveindustry

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group. To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

From five-star hotels to fault-finding on the road, this episode dives into the journey of Cathal, better known as The Car Nerd. He didn’t take a traditional path into the trade. After starting in hospitality, Cathal moved into car sales, then built a van business from the ground up. But it was diagnostics — not sales — that truly sparked his interest.

We talk about the early days working out of a small yard, how he taught himself remapping, and why he focused on professionalism from the start. From mobile tuning to opening his own workshop, Cathal now runs a growing diagnostics and performance business in Northern Ireland, backed by a Top Gear Tuning franchise and a commitment to doing things the right way.

Whether you’re in the trade or just curious about what it takes to build a business like this, Cathal’s story is full of insight, hard-earned lessons, and practical advice.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:25 – How did Cathal get started?

27:50 – What drives him to keep pushing forward?

50:17 – A deep dive into diagnostics

01:04:22 – What’s next for The Car Nerd?

Subscribe for more expert insight, honest conversation, and real stories from inside the independent garage sector.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#ontheramp #automotiveexcellence #automotivebusiness #automotiveindustry

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group. To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

A full year of On The Ramp and the journey is just getting started. In this episode, Alex, Leo and Nathan reflect on the past 12 months, sharing honest insights about their businesses — the wins, the setbacks, and the bold decisions shaping what’s next.

Expect real talk about closing divisions, launching new sites, stepping back from operations, and building tools the industry needs. If you're in the garage trade, this is one to take in.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

03:06 – Business updates from Lindleys Autocentres

18:45 – Dack Motor Group update

33:43 – Sponsor message

34:57 – Walsall Wood Tyre & Service Centre update

Subscribe for more expert insight, honest conversation, and real stories from inside the independent garage sector.

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#ontheramp #automotiveexcellence #automotivebusiness #Automotiveindustry

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group. To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

In this episode, we’re joined by Mark Field, Chief Executive of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the independent garage sector.

We explore the real-world impacts of international trade tariffs, the challenge of attracting and retaining young talent, and why it’s time to shift the perception of the trade from within. Mark talks about the IAAF’s evolving role—bridging the gap between suppliers, distributors and garages—and how they're pushing for stronger representation, improved access to data, and meaningful change on key legislation like Right to Repair.

Whether you’re on the tools, running a business, or somewhere in between, this episode is a clear look at where the trade is going, and why now is the time to get involved.

00:00 – Intro

06:10 – Tariffs and Trade: How International Politics Are Hitting the Aftermarket

15:14 – Growing the IAAF: What’s Being Done to Bring More Members In?

19:38 – Sponsor Break

20:52 – Changing Perceptions: Reframing What It Means to Work in the Trade

30:42 – Getting Colleges on Board: Fixing the Industry's Talent Pipeline

43:50 – Automechanika & Motivate: Giving the Next Generation a Front Row Seat

52:00 – Who’s Actually Engaged? The Reality of IAAF Membership Numbers

1:02:10 – Access, Data, and the Right to Repair: The Ongoing Fight for Independent Garages

1:13:40 – Outro

Subscribe for more expert insight, honest conversation, and real stories from inside the independent garage sector.

⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#iaaf #automotiveaftermarket #ontheramp #garagesuccess #righttorepair #castrol

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group. To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html

In this episode, we sit down with Jay Wheatley, founder of Absolutely Automotive, to discuss how garage owners can extract themselves from the daily grind and take their business to the next level. Jay shares his expertise as a business consultant, offering practical advice on stepping back from hands-on work, improving efficiency, and building a sustainable, profitable garage.

We explore the key challenges garage owners face when trying to transition from technician to business leader, the importance of understanding financials, and why structured processes are essential for long-term success. Jay also dives into the role of specialisation, staff management, and the impact of emerging industry trends on independent garages.

If you’re a garage owner looking to work smarter, not harder, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you extract yourself and grow your business.

https://absolutelyautomotive.co.uk/help-guides

00:00 – Introduction

08:02 – Selling a Garage Business: Key Considerations

21:18 – Advertisement

22:32 – Transitioning into Business Consultancy

29:12 – How Can a Garage Owner Step Back from Daily Operations?

45:20 – Is Specialising in a Niche Essential for Success?

57:20 – Essential Advice for Service Advisors

01:07:40 – Future Trends in the Automotive Industry

01:19:30 – Stuck in a Rut? How Coaching Can Help Garage Owners Move Forward

Subscribe for more expert industry insights and business strategies.

⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#automotivebusiness #garagesuccess #businessgrowth #ontheramp #mechaniclife #automotiveindustry

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group, to learn more about Castrol Service please visit ⁠https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Cleevely, owner of Cleevely Motors, to explore how the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is reshaping the automotive industry. Matt shares how Cleevely Motors has successfully adapted to meet the growing demand for EV servicing, from investing in staff training to upgrading equipment.

He discusses the challenges facing independent garages in the EV market, the differences between customer expectations for EV and traditional servicing, and how Cleevely Motors has built a reputation for quality and reliability.

If you’re in the trade or considering transitioning to EV repairs, this episode is full of valuable insights and practical advice.

00:00 – Are EVs the Answer?

12:06 – Introduction

20:33 - Ad Break

29:53 – Transitioning to EV Specialisation

40:47 – Did You Ever Doubt Yourself?

51:13 – Do EV Owners Expect the Same Service as Dealers?

1:00:05 – EV Sales Market and Depreciation

1:23:19 – What’s Next for Cleevely?

Subscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations.

⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#evs #electricvehicle #training #ontheramp #automotiveexcellence #automotivebusiness