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

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 of On The Ramp, we sit down with Matt Jeffreys, owner of St Johns and RPM Malvern, to discuss his journey from launching his first garage to successfully acquiring and turning around a second business.

Matt shares the challenges of securing his first unit, the realities of running multiple locations, and the lessons he has learned along the way. We also explore the pressures of business growth, the importance of building the right team, and his vision for the future.

If you’re a garage owner looking to expand or improve your business, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

00:00 - Introduction

06:01 - Getting Into the Automotive Industry

26:57 - Advertisement Break

28:05 - Securing a Unit and Launching St Johns

52:34 - The Growth and Expansion of St Johns and RPM Malvern

1:03:34 - The Challenges of Running Multiple Locations

1:28:25 - Biggest Business Pressures and Stress Factors

1:36:00 - Personal Goals and Future Ambitions

Subscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations.

https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

#peoplemanagement #leadership #businessgrowth #workplaceculture #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/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html

In this episode of On The Ramp, we sit down with Lauren Brown, Managing Director of T10 Automotive, and Carl Williams from Williams Talent Management to discuss the vital role of people management in building a successful business.

We explore the importance of workplace culture in driving performance, how to handle underperformance without creating conflict, and the challenges of recruitment. The discussion also covers why hiring for attitude over skill is crucial, the responsibilities of effective leadership, and how business owners can create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated.

Lauren and Carl also share their insights on fostering employee progression, coaching versus consulting, and how strong leadership can transform a business. Whether you’re managing a growing workforce or looking to improve team dynamics, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you build a high-performing and engaged team.

If you're a business owner, manager, or aspiring leader, this conversation offers valuable lessons on people management, leadership, and workplace culture.

00:00 - Introduction

02:24 - How McDonald's Shaped Carl’s People Management Skills

23:12 - Sponsored Ad Break

27:04 - Recognising When Someone Isn’t Right for the Business

30:45 - Effective Recruitment Strategies

33:40 - Building Strong Personal Connections with Employees

51:01 - The Responsibilities of a Business Leader to Remain Consistent

1:02:00 - Why Employee Progression Matters

1:15:00 - Managing Underperformance Without Creating Conflict

1:24:53 - Finding Time for Budgeting

1:30:49 - Coaching vs. Consulting: What’s the Difference?

1:39:20 - How Can People Work with You Now?

Subscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations.

#peoplemanagement #leadership #workplaceculture #businessgrowth #TeamBuilding⁠⁠

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/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html In this episode of On the Ramp, we sit down with Jamie Caple, owner of Car Quay, to discuss the highs and lows of running a used car dealership. Jamie shares his journey from the collapse of his previous business to rebuilding from the ground up, all while navigating the unpredictable world of used car sales. We explore the realities of stocking facilities, the impact of market fluctuations, and the challenges of maintaining profitability in a tough industry. Jamie also provides insights into the importance of preparation efficiency, managing risk, and staying adaptable in a rapidly changing market. If you’re an independent garage owner or thinking about moving into car sales, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, business strategy, and the mindset needed to succeed. 00:00 - Introduction 04:25 - Leaving the previous business and facing legal action 20:05 - External factors influencing vehicle sales 31:01 - Castrol sponsorship segment 32:15 - How real-world events impact bookings and average invoice values 35:00 - Government inefficiencies and their effect on small businesses 37:53 - Are you working on your business or in your business? 42:55 - Beyond AutoTrader: Other strategies for growth 45:48 - Why people are drawn to stories of business failure 47:49 - Receiving legal papers just before Christmas 01:04:13 - Selling electric vehicles: Opportunities and challenges 01:07:21 - Preferred fuel types and the future of the market 01:11:00 - The role of workshops and MOTs in a dealership 01:13:59 - The importance of charisma in modern car sales 01:20:21 - How warranties impact customer confidence 01:28:21 - The role of third-party finance companies in car sales 01:31:41 - Sales functions and strategies for success 01:45:23 - The purchasing process and making smart stock decisions 01:50:18 - Identifying your strengths in business 01:53:29 - Key advice for new business owners 02:06:58 - Where do you see yourself and the business in five years? Subscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations. #UsedCarSales #AutomotiveBusiness #CarQuay #OnTheRamp #IndependentDealership