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The AA has recently commented on common speed camera myths, urging drivers to slow down and pay attention to the limits.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Changing lanes will avoid detection&nbsp;</h2>It’s believed by some road users that changing lanes can help drivers avoid detection by speed cameras. Whilst this was true at one time, modern speed cameras have multiple setups allowing all lanes to be covered.&nbsp;More often than not, there will be white markings across all lanes near speed cameras, allowing for a secondary check that shows how far the vehicle has travelled between two points.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Cameras must be visible for drivers to be prosecuted&nbsp;</h2>Despite the Department for Transportation declaring that all cameras are required to be painted yellow, it is not true that they must be perfectly visible for motorists to receive a fine.&nbsp;&nbsp;So trying to contest your fine due to the camera being covered by an overgrown tree, isn’t going to work.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">How do speed cameras work?&nbsp;</h2>First introduced in 1991, the first type of speed camera, the Gatso, was named after Dutch rally-driving inventor, Maurice Gatsonides. Still in use today, these cameras record how fast a vehicle travels between two points by capturing two images.&nbsp;Another type is the average speed camera, which works by capturing the speed of a vehicle at various points along a road, meaning drivers cannot just slow down on their approach.&nbsp;There's no limit for how many cameras can be involved in the average speed camera check and some have a network of up to 1,000 cameras.&nbsp;The final type is the Speed and Traffic Camera, which uses radar to see how fast a vehicle is going. A digital image is produced, showing the colour, type, make, model and registration number of the vehicle.&nbsp;The registered owner is sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within two weeks of being caught. Fines issued are a minimum of £100, with 3 points on your licence. However, these can be escalated depending on how far over the limit you were driving.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Do speed cameras work?&nbsp;</h2>Yes, speed cameras absolutely work. The London School of Economics estimated that between 1992-2016, speed cameras reduced deaths around 60 – 70%. The advice from the AA remains drivers shouldn’t look to avoid detection from cameras and should follow all speed limits and laws of the roads.&nbsp;Help to keep our roads safer by slowing down. Plus, you might save yourself some money!&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">About Bumper&nbsp;</h2>Make car repairs more affordable and spread the cost of your next bill into interest-free monthly payments. To apply for a Credit Limit and see local dependable garages and dealerships in your area, enter your vehicle and registration on <a href="https://www.bumper.co.uk/">our website.</a>&nbsp;

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The AA has warned drivers not to pay attention to common speed camera myths. In this blog, we look at some speed camera myths, how speed cameras work and how they can improve safety for road users.

Common speed camera myths debunked | Bumper Blog

Debunked: Common speed camera myths 

Cars are complicated machines, involving many systems and components. In order to maintain trouble-free motoring, there are a few important things every motorist should know and check regularly.&nbsp;&nbsp;The first port of call for any maintenance should be your owner's handbook. This gives details of all the user-serviceable systems in the car and how to check them. They will give vehicle-specific advice you may need to know.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">When to check&nbsp;</h2>Even if you drive your car every day, you should be vigilant in checking these safety-critical items, some of them won’t need an inspection. You’ll interact with them directly by using your car, but it’s still prudent to be able to detect and rectify issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;With the average motorist spending over £800 on car repairs in 2021, it’s good to get ahead and be prepared.&nbsp;With many vehicles going largely unused over the pandemic, we’d recommend carrying out these checks every few weeks with normal usage, and especially before a long drive, e.g. before setting off on holiday.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">Tyres&nbsp;</h3>Make sure they are at the correct pressure, a pressure gauge is ideal, but a daily visual check will ensure you haven’t developed a flat. Check your owner’s manual for recommended tyre pressures. Be sure to pay attention to how heavily loaded the car will be, e.g. luggage and additional passengers.&nbsp;Keep an eye out for the tyres perishing, bulging or wearing unevenly.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">Lights&nbsp;</h3>Get a helper to walk around your car whilst you test the various headlight and brake light settings.&nbsp; Also, check for the correct indicator and hazard warning light function.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">Mirrors&nbsp;</h3>You’ll probably notice this without meaning to, but just check all your mirrors are still present, clean and correctly adjusted.<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">Seatbelts&nbsp;</h3>This is again something you directly interact with, but if the belt feels slack, overly tight or restricted or there is a different noise or feel when you clip in, don’t drive until it can be inspected by a professional. Before driving with children, check their seatbelts for them.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">Fuel&nbsp;</h3>It seems obvious, but there were over 800,000 cases of drivers needing to be rescued after running out of fuel in 2015, according to a study by LV=. Be especially careful if you live or are travelling to remote areas where fuel stations could be few and far between.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">Dashboard lights&nbsp;</h3>After you’ve started the car, check the dash for warning lights. It's good to do this regularly too, such as when you’ve reached your destination.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">Engine fluids&nbsp;</h3>Oil should not be missed in your vehicle inspection, make sure the oil level is between the minimum and maximum. The colour should be a dark brown, if the oil is black, check your service interval log for overdue oil changes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Coolant should also be monitored, the colour will either be red/orange or blue/green depending on the age of the vehicle. If the coolant is dark or colourless, take your car to a garage as it may need a coolant change.&nbsp;Brake fluid and power steering fluid are similar to engine oil, check the level is correct, and the fluid is not excessively dark.&nbsp;&nbsp;For information on where to find the relevant tanks, consult your owner’s manual, as that will describe the location and appearance of the cap.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Taking your car on holiday?&nbsp;</h2>With the possibility of being stranded far away from home, and the increased strain on your vehicle from elevated operating temperatures, checking your car over before a long trip is essential.&nbsp;Luggage and extra people can affect how your car performs and exacerbates any pre-existing issues with tyres, brakes and suspension components.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ensure any roof rack boxes, bike racks and other attachments are well secured, be sure to check the loading capacity of your vehicle too, a plate inside the door is usually the best source of this information.&nbsp;&nbsp;If driving in Europe, make sure you’re equipped with the required safety equipment, more information is available on the gov.uk website.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">When driving&nbsp;</h2><h3 style="margin-left:0px;">Steering&nbsp;</h3>When setting off, be aware of any strange noises or feeling from the steering, especially when turning. If you do, stop in a safe position and seek professional advice.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">Brakes&nbsp;</h3>Similar to the steering, before you start your journey, be sure your brakes feel and sound normal, long pedal travel or a squidgy pedal can indicate a leak, squealing or scraping can indicate worn pads. If anything at all is amiss, seek advice.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">Engine/Drivetrain&nbsp;</h3>When accelerating and cruising, listen for anything out of the ordinary, or if the car feels sluggish or slow to accelerate. Hesitation could be caused by various faults and may well be minor.&nbsp;&nbsp;Juddering when up to speed is often indicative of wheel miss-balancing, and under braking is usually caused by warped brake discs. If you experience any of these issues you should seek help as soon as possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;To make the whole process easier, check out Bumper’s interest-free monthly payments for car repairs.&nbsp;&nbsp;To be approved for a Credit Limit of up to £5,000 and search for garages and dealerships on the Bumper network, enter your registration and postcode on our <a href="https://www.bumper.co.uk/">website.</a>&nbsp;

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To keep your car in top condition there are many checks motorists must do. In this blog, we look at what checks are necessary and when to do them.

What to check before driving | Bumper Blog

Safety checks - What to check before driving

Team Bumper met (for the first time in its entirety) in Lisbon last month for a week of collaborative workshops and team-bonding activities.&nbsp;In attendance, were our teams based in the UK, Spain, Germany and our development team based in Ankara, Turkey.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Company update&nbsp;</h2>The main purpose of the meet-up was to allow members of different departments to collaborate, chat and understand each other’s goals.&nbsp;&nbsp;During the update, teams stood to present who they were and their plans for the future. We heard from People, Engineering, Product, Sales, Risk and Compliance, Growth, and Operations.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Our values&nbsp;</h2>Before the trip, workshops were held by our People Team, to understand exactly what Bumper’s core values are; how we work together as a team, how we approach new opportunities and challenges, and how we interact with external stakeholders.&nbsp;The result: We are ATOMIK<figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/atomik_logo_a3e0e52632.png"></figure><h3 style="margin-left:0px;">What it means to be ATOMIK:&nbsp;</h3>All in - We’re committed, enthusiastic and always give 110%.&nbsp;Think big - We're inquisitive, drive change &amp; positively disrupt.&nbsp;Own it - We embrace it, put our stamp on it &amp; take pride in it.&nbsp;Make it happen - We're passionate, tenacious and resilient; we get the job done&nbsp;Integrity - We keep it real &amp; we trust each other to do the right thing, in the right way.&nbsp;Keep it Simple - We stay focused on the goal, avoid overcomplicating things &amp; insist on transparency.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Guest speaker: Alan Chambers MBE&nbsp;</h2>One evening, we were joined by guest speaker, Alan Chambers, who discussed team motivation, how to create a winning mindset and what inspirational leadership looks like. Alan is a former Royal Marine Commando, Author, and Polar Adventurer.&nbsp;He led the first successful unsupported expedition from Canada to the North Pole by a British team. The expedition took them a whopping 672 nautical miles, through temperatures as low as -65°C.&nbsp;After seventy days out on the ice, Alan’s team planted the Union Flag on the 16th of May 2000.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Team bonding</h2>Lastly, some of the team took to the water for paddle-boarding and surfing, whilst others enjoyed a relaxing yoga session.&nbsp;For many of the team, working remotely across Europe, this was a great opportunity for them to get to know who they’re working with, face-to-face, without using a video meetings!&nbsp;<figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/bumper_team_photo_93ae35546b.jpg"></figure>Here’s what the team had to say:&nbsp;“Very happy to meet every Bumpee face-to-face and spend time together. It was a great opportunity to collect unforgettable memories with each of you!”&nbsp;Sumru, Talent and People partner (Turkey)&nbsp;“Glad to have met most of Bumper and had the opportunity to spend such a legendary time with each of you! I certainly enjoyed myself! A big thank you for the organisers!”&nbsp;Marcello, System Administrator (UK)&nbsp;“Thank you to all organizers for this great retreat. It was great opportunity to meet all you in person. I hope to see you all again next retreat”&nbsp;&nbsp;Semih, Frontend Developer (Turkey)&nbsp;“I had a blast! I had been hearing about this trip since I joined a year ago and it really surpassed my expectations big time. So proud to be part of Bumper; loved every minute of it!”&nbsp;Francisca, Chief Product Officer (UK)&nbsp;“Thank you all so much for making this retreat so amazing.”&nbsp;Arnaldo, Regional Sales Manager (Spain)&nbsp;

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Teams from the UK, Spain, Germany and Turkey met in Portugal for the first time for collaborative workshops and team bonding activities.

Bumper Lisbon 2022: Team collaboration event | Bumper Blog

Bumper Lisbon 2022: Team collaboration event

Cars aren’t made to break. Years of planning and testing go into designing the perfect model. Given the amount we all spend on purchasing and maintaining our cars, you’d expect them to last. Inevitably, there are certain makes and models that are going to take you right back to the dealership more frequently than you’d like.&nbsp;With the cost of repairs, as expensive as they are, a reliable car can save you a lot of money in the long run. Luckily for us, Auto Express’ <a href="https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/driver-power/64280/top-10-most-reliable-cars-buy-2022">Driver Power Survey</a> has the answer we're looking for: a ranking of the most reliable cars from 2022. Owners were asked to rate their satisfaction with the quality of the vehicle and its reliability.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">The top 10 most reliable cars of 2022&nbsp;</h2><h3 style="margin-left:0px;">10. Toyota C-HR&nbsp;</h3><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:48.64%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/toyota_c_hr_5ad2dfe7ec.png" alt="Toyota C-HR"></figure>Reliability rating: 93.96%&nbsp;Class: Mid to Large SUV&nbsp;The only Toyota on the list, this Hybrid has been on sale since 2017, giving the manufacturer plenty of time to fix any original faults.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">9. Volkswagen T-Roc&nbsp;</h3><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:48.3%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/vw_t_roc_38a00291d5.png" alt="Volkswagen T-Roc "></figure>Reliability rating: 94.06%&nbsp;Class: Mid to Large SUV&nbsp;Drivers of the VW T-Roc found the main faults to be with the vehicle’s electronics and safety features. There were also issues with the mechanical aspects of the vehicle, namely the engine and the gearbox.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">8. Renault Captur&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:48.17%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/renault_captur_6fda961b45.png" alt="Renault Captur&nbsp; "></figure>Reliability rating: 94.27&nbsp;Class: Small SUV&nbsp;Of the few owners who expressed a fault, most reported electrical niggles.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">7. Kia E-Niro&nbsp;</h3><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:48.09%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/kia_e_niro_c76b1008ab.png" alt=" Kia E-Niro "></figure>Reliability rating: 94.36%&nbsp;Class: Small SUV&nbsp;Since their release into the market, EVs have been renowned for having fewer moving parts and therefore fewer issues. However, the owners of the Kia E-Niro did record some faults. Mostly these were due to the electronics of the vehicle. A new model expected to be released later this year should fix any lingering problems.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">6. Kia Rio&nbsp;</h3><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:47.13%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/kia_rio_9dd779894d.png" alt="Kia Rio "></figure>Reliability rating: 94.45%&nbsp;Class: Supermini&nbsp;Of the few faults reported for the Kia Rio, almost a third were electric faults and some issues with the car’s safety kit. However, fear not, the vehicle comes with an impressive 7-year warranty.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">5. MINI Hatch&nbsp;</h3><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:47.43%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mini_hatch_a853eae749.png" alt="MINI Hatch"></figure>Reliability rating: 95.48%&nbsp;Class: Supermini&nbsp;This British-built vehicle had two main errors of faults recorded, the interior trim and the car’s safety features.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">4. Kia XCeed&nbsp;</h3><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:47.26%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/kia_xceed_e0eefa5352.png" alt="Kia XCeed "></figure>Reliability rating: 95.56%Class: Small SUVFor the Kia XCeed only some minor faults were recorded, with just over a third reporting issues with the engine, but most were found to be small and covered by the vehicle’s warranty.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">3. Mazda CX-5&nbsp;</h3><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:46.87%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mazda_cx_5_0e38b07ed6.png" alt="Mazda CX-5"></figure>Reliability rating: 95.57%&nbsp;Class: Mid to Large SUV&nbsp;For this well-built, family-friendly model, faults were found by drivers on the electrics, interior trim, exterior paintwork, and safety equipment.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">2. Hyundai Kona&nbsp;</h3><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:46.67%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/hyundai_kona_7a9d935cd7.png" alt="Hyundai Kona "></figure>Reliability rating: 95.71%Class: Small SUVThe robust, Kona had hardly any issues reported. Should an issue arise, the Kona is covered by Hyundai’s generous, five-year warranty.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">1. Skoda Kodiaq&nbsp;</h3><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:46.78%;"><img src="https://bumper-blog-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/skoda_kodiaq_b026df80b7.png" alt="Skoda Kodiaq"></figure>Reliability rating: 96.23%&nbsp;Class: Mid to Large SUV&nbsp;Given that this is Skoda’s first large SUV, many considered this a complex challenge, however, this family-sized seven-seater received a reliability rating of 96.23%, making this the top car on the list. There were some minor faults, mostly with the gearbox and interior trim, but these were found to be covered by the manufacturer's warranty. They offer the standard three-year/60,000-mile cover.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">About Bumper&nbsp;</h2>How reliable is your car? Apply to spread the cost of repairs, services, MOTs, parts and accessories by <a href="https://www.bumper.co.uk/">entering your registration and postcode on our website</a>. Choose from 1000s of dependable dealerships and garages nationwide.&nbsp;

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When purchasing a new car, you want to make sure you’re getting the best for your money. In this list, Bumper looks at Auto Express’ Driver Power Survey to find you the top 10 most reliable cars.

What are the most reliable cars to buy UK 2022? | Bumper Blog

What are the most reliable cars to buy in the UK 2022? 

By the end of the decade, open banking is set to become the dominant form of payment in car retailing. Low transaction fees and reduced exposure to fraudulent card transactions will benefit dealers greatly.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">What is open banking?&nbsp;</h2>Rather than relying on debit or credit cards issued by a third party, open banking allows customers to pay directly from their personal account into a dealer’s account.&nbsp;According to the Open Banking Implementation Entity, a standards body set up by the UK’s largest banks, the UK has seen exponential growth of open banking in recent times with 4.5 million regular users across all retail sectors and 1 million new users added every six months.&nbsp;James Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Bumper, said, “customer transactions are already being transformed by open banking across other retail sectors. Because of the high invoice values associated with automotive, we anticipate it becoming the dominant form of payment in dealerships by the end of the decade.”&nbsp;“Car buyers using open banking can make their payments online in a matter of seconds using just their bank account credentials. Also, because these payments require bank authentication within a customer’s banking app, it makes fraud significantly harder, giving a greater layer of protection to dealers.&nbsp;“While dealers offering open banking can expect to see their transaction costs halve by the removal of hefty fees associated with card payments. Other benefits include more secure digital payments, minimising dealers’ exposure to fraud, and full GDPR compliance.”&nbsp;“Open banking offers a solution that better meets the changing needs of customers looking for more convenient and smarter digital alternatives to cards.”&nbsp;“The addition of open banking further expands our suite of digital payment options, sitting alongside Pay Now and Pay Later, enabling dealers to offer customers the payment option that works best for their personal finances,” said Jackson.&nbsp;We expect dealers will offer the option of open banking for customers making large deposits, aftersales bills, GAP insurance and extended warranties.&nbsp;Starting this month, Bumper offers dealers an open banking facility, fully integrated with REALtime communications.&nbsp;To find out more, contact our sales team via <a href="mailto:sales@bumper.co.uk">sales@bumper.co.uk</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

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In this blog Bumper looks at the exponential grown of open banking and how it’s set to be the dominant form of payment for car retailing by 2030.

Open banking: Dominant form of payment by 2030 | Bumper Blog

Open banking set to be dominant form of payment in car retailing by 2030 

The Dealership of the Month for June 2022, Evans Halshaw Old Trafford, met with Bumper Account Manager, Chris, to accept their award this month.Chris said, 'The team at Evans Halshaw Ford Old Trafford have been presented with this award for consistently utilising Bumper's PayLater within their aftersales process to support customers with any unexpected repair bills.''Since launching in February 2022, the team have gone from strength to strength culminating in a fantastic June with a special shout out to Dawn and Natalie who led the group for PayLaters since launch!'Their exceptional customer experience has also been reflected in their Trustpilot reviews. One customer quoted, ‘The Bumper loan was very convenient for me as it allowed me to spread the cost and it was interest-free. It was set up within minutes at the garage. Very pleased with Bumper especially the interest-free offer.'Well done to the team at Old Trafford!&nbsp;

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Bumper’s Dealership of the Month seeks to reward one of the top performing garages from the last month. This month’s award goes to Evans Halshaw Old Trafford.

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