Quality control: why independent garages choose Castrol oil

One in two is a lot. It’s 50 per cent. A perfect half. And when it’s the ratio of new cars sold that came ‘factory-fitted’ with a Castrol recommendation, it could also be described, quite simply, as a majority.

In 2013, that meant that more than 1.1 million new vehicles were sold filled with Castrol oil as standard.

But carmakers aren’t the only industry insiders to recognise the edge that Castrol offers. Aside from the myriad of manufacturers and dealers who use products like Edge with Titanium FST, there’s an equally well-informed network of independent workshops with a preference for Castrol, too.

Workshops such as Brystone, in Hampshire. Owned and run by Lee Alsford, an accomplished technician with more than a decade’s experience in the BMW dealer network, Brystone is a perfect example of how a well-run, independent garage operates.

Lee has a very clear vision of the part a workshop such as his can play for the customer.

“The big benefit of a service centre like Brystone is the value we offer. We specialise in the repair and maintenance of premium marques. Our customers drive expensive cars, but they still come to us rather than a mainline dealer.”

And the reason? “We have the same diagnostic resources and expertise as a main dealer, while offering customers outstanding value for money.”

And in keeping with Brystone’s pursuit of quality in all aspects of what they do, they use Castrol products in their customers’ cars.

“We need to be sure that everything we fit or put in to a customer’s car meets the exacting standards of the manufacturer itself. Many of the cars we service left the factory filled with Castrol – why wouldn’t we do the same?”

As a customer, you have the opportunity to put your own service centre to the test, whether it’s a main dealer or an independent. It’s entirely possible your garage already uses Castrol, but if it doesn’t, why not set them a challenge?

Any reputable garage in the UK can get hold of Castrol if you request it, so take a leaf out of Brystone’s book and exercise a little of your own quality control.

Tomorrow’s World

As the owner of an independent workshop, Lee Alsford is acutely aware that his quality of service is built around the people he employs.

“Whenever we recruit for a new technician,” he explains, “there is never a shortage of applicants, but it’s all about finding that quality: people with the right combination of experience and expertise are few and far between.”

But once Lee does ‘get his man’, it’s usually the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship. “Our technicians are not paid on a time-related bonus basis,” explains Lee.

“They don’t earn more money if they work on more cars. Our technicians are paid a flat rate, higher than the industry average, and their motivation is to work to the highest standards possible. It’s not about getting the job done, it’s about getting the job done right.”

Finding the ‘master technicians’ of the future is something Castrol believes is important, which is why it supports the Institute of the Motor Industry’s programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

“The IMI is helping to expand the available pool of future talent coming into the motor industry,” explains Castrol’s Marc Perkins. “And for an independent such as Brystone, that can only be good news.”

Find out more at www.theimi.org.uk.

Win fuel for a year!

Enter the Love Your Garage competition and both you and your nominated independent workshop could win great prizes!

For you it’s the chance to fill up your car for up to a year with £1,000 of BP fuel; for your local garage, there’s the chance to send a technician on an IMI training programme worth £3,000.

They’ll also receive unique recognition in the form of their garage name appearing on the tail fin of Britain’s 2016 land speed record challenger, Bloodhound SSC.

Enter the EXCLUSIVE Love Your Garage competition at www.topgear.com/feeltheedge