We're thrilled to have been awarded the Overall Judges' Award at the Northern Tech Awards 2024.

Held at Manchester Central and hosted by GP Bullhound, the awards celebrate the top 100 fastest-growing companies in Northern England, with categories such as Fastest Growing Company of the Year, the Innovation Award and the Entrepreneur Award. A Northern Stars category shines a spotlight on younger companies with potential for growth in tech.

The Overall Judges' Award recognises the company with the highest achievements for growth, innovation, global ambition, cultural excellence and leadership. 

GP Bullhound's ranking of fastest-growing companies comes at a remarkable time for Bumper, having recently closed a $50m Series B funding round. The funding will aid further growth of Bumper's automotive payment platform across Europe. 

Managing Director of GP Bullhound Javed Huq, said, “Congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 Northern Tech Awards. Their success is a testament to the remarkable determination and entrepreneurship, which have enabled their businesses to thrive in a challenging market landscape. 

"We are immensely proud of the dedication and innovation within the Northern tech ecosystem and believe it is important to celebrate these achievements at tonight’s awards. We are honoured to champion these leading tech businesses, and look forward to their continued growth and contribution to the UK economy.”

Over the course of the evening, a wide range of tech companies were recognised, from leading industry experts in AI to digital product development agencies. Amongst those recognised were xDesign, Opencast, Cassie, ProofID, IDHL Easyfundraising, Robiquity and Answer Digital. 

We'd like to say a big thank you GP Bullhound for recognising Bumper with this prestigious award and congratulations to all the other winners.

Bumper Wins Overall Judges' Award at Northern Tech Awards 2024

Bumper gana el premio del jurado en los Northern Tech Awards 2024

The Golden Gate Bridge is an American Icon. Stretching 1.7 miles long, the San Francisco-based suspension bridge has appeared in countless films – Godzilla, Pacific Rim, and even DreamWorks’ Monsters vs. Aliens. 

If these movies are anything to go off one thing’s for sure, if you’re a would-be, Earth-destroying, giant monster from outer space you simply must make a stop to destroy the Golden Gate Bridge. Possibly on your way to the Eiffel Tower or Sydney Opera House. 

However, despite its limited luck on the silver screen, the Golden Gate Bridge has endured the years. 

But it hasn’t always been plain sailing. During the bridge’s construction in 1935, terrified workers clung to the top as an earthquake caused the bridge to sway up to 16 feet. 

You might be surprised to learn, given the period in which the bridge was built, that there were some safety precautions in place.

A giant safety net had been deployed to catch anyone who accidentally slipped. The net saved the lives of 19 workers during the construction of the suspension bridge. 

In an iconic orange, the US Navy had originally demanded the bridge be painted in blue and yellow to increase its visibility. 

However, when the steel arrived in the now-familiar orange the architect decided it looked better as it was. Sorry, US Navy, your concerns over visibility and safety will have to wait! 

But what about the bridge sagging? Well, I won’t keep you in “suspense” any longer. 

 anniversary of the bridge was celebrated. To mark the momentous occasion, San Francisco organised a bridge walk. 

Thousands showed up to take part in the walk with an estimated 300,000 pedestrians marching across in celebration. 

Then, what seemed like a big success suddenly turned into a big concern for safety. 

With so many people on the bridge, the structure began to sag, dipping in the middle so much that the bridge's iconic curve flattened out.

As well as the bridge beginning to dip, organisers were concerned about people becoming trapped in the middle. If there had been an emergency there would have been no escape.

Organisers decided to cancel the event, preventing a further 600,000 pedestrians from marching onto the bridge and perhaps stopping what could have been a very big catastrophe. 

Luckily, nobody was hurt and engineers said the bridge had never been under threat of collapse, with the weight exerted on it only being a small fraction of the load it had been designed to hold. 

Even if the weight had been too much, suspension bridges are designed to dip in the middle rather than completely collapse. 

I wonder what they have planned for this surprisingly bendy bridge’s upcoming 90

 anniversary? Whatever it is, I think I might “dip” out of that one.

That time the Golden Gate Bridge sagged 7 feet 

We’re pleased to announce we’ve raised a further £2 million in a Series B extension round, with Suzuki Global Ventures and Marubeni Ventures joining as investors.

With Suzuki’s strong European dealer network and Marubeni’s RRG Group, HPL Motors Group and Norton Way Motors in the UK, the new investors are strategically important for further accelerating Bumper’s scaled growth across the UK and Europe. 

Suzuki’s UK dealer operation recently ranked as the top-performing automotive brand in the Institute of Customer Service’s 2024 UK Customer Satisfaction Index. 

The latest investment follows last year’s £40 million Series B fundraise with Autotech Ventures, Shell Ventures, JLR’s InMotion Ventures and Porsche Ventures. Total investment in Bumper has now reached £55 million. 

The new investors are joining after a record year of growth for the business with Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) growing 100% year on year and customer numbers up 80% in the last 12 months. 

James Jackson, Bumper Co-Founder and CEO said, “With Suzuki Global Ventures and Marubeni Ventures joining our growing portfolio of major automotive investors, we can accelerate our ambitious plans to be the dominant payment platform for car dealers in the UK and across Europe.

“We’re delighted that Suzuki Global Ventures and Marubeni Ventures see the value of what we’ve already achieved and our future potential. Unexpected and unbudgeted car repair bills are a universal problem requiring flexible payment solutions that benefit customers and dealers. With our investors’ support, we’re now ideally placed to invest in new products and increase our dealer footprint.”

Kinji Saito, Director and Senior Managing Officer at Suzuki said, “Bumper’s unique AI technology enables real-time financing decisions, thereby making it easier for customers to take their cars for repairs and services, and dealers to attract customers. 

“With this investment, made through Suzuki Motor Corporation’s corporate venture capital fund, we aim to enhance the convenience of customers through expanding Bumper’s services.” 

Tristan Jennings, Senior Associate of Marubeni Ventures said, “Bumper has clearly demonstrated an ability to address the unique financing needs of automotive repair customers, reduce friction at point of sale and improve the user experience, while seamlessly integrating into existing dealership IT infrastructure. 

“We aim to leverage Marubeni’s existing businesses in the automotive and auto finance sectors to further expand Bumper’s reach and build upon its outstanding level of customer service.”

Bumper raises £2 million in Series B extension with Suzuki Global Ventures and Marubeni Ventures 

Bumper recauda 2 millones de libras en la ampliación de la ronda de financiación serie B gracias a Suzuki Global Ventures y Marubeni Ventures como nuevos inversores.

Bumper sammelt 2 Millionen Pfund in der Erweiterung der Serie B ein, wobei Suzuki Global Ventures und Marubeni Ventures als Investoren einsteigen

We’re excited to announce the Dealership of the Month for February is Acorn Kia Crewe.

The Crewe-based site had a fantastic start to the year and has continued its upward trajectory into February.

One of the longer-standing Bumper partners, Acorn Motor Group adopted PayLater into their aftersales departments back in 2017 and have now gone live with PayNow, processing customers’ one-off payments in just a few taps, and Pay By Bank, an instant account-to-account payment method.

The team also make use of Bumper integrations through popular automotive systems Keyloop and CitNOW, creating a seamless customer experience for drivers.

Their world-class customer experience has impacted their Trustpilot reviews, of which there are plenty!

One customer said, “Seamless, straightforward process, very well explained by Matt. Nothing was too much trouble.” Another stated, “Jay did an amazing check on my car for [my] MOT... great detail on the inspection video”.

Others described Kia Crewe as, “Very helpful”, “Quick”, and “First class”.

Bumper’s Chris Booth (Business Development Team Lead – North) and Islay Horton (Business Development Consultant) visited the site to hand over the award. 

Islay said, “Congratulations to Acorn Kia Crewe on their win. They’ve had an outstanding start to 2024 with Bumper, really embedding PayLater into their aftersales process.

“Having recently taken over the site, it’s been a pleasure to meet with the team here in Crewe today and I’m looking forward to seeing how we can utilise PayLater even further to create an incredible aftersales experience.”

Congratulations to Amy, Rebecca, Chloe, Matt and the whole team at Acorn Kia Crewe.

Acorn Kia Crewe named Dealership of the Month

The Audi A3 is a popular premium hatchback, but like any car, it has some common reliability issues.

Owners frequently report problems with the DSG gearbox, suspension creaking, oil pump failures, and fuel line leaks. This guide covers the most common Audi A3 problems and how to avoid costly repairs.

Like any car manufactured in large numbers, the Audi A3 isn't without its own issues. 

While these common problems may point to areas needing improvement, they also serve as a helpful checklist for prospective buyers. 

Here are typical Audi A3 problems to note:

Some 2004–2008 Audi A3s with the 2.0 TDI engine have a known oil pump issue, where the drive shaft wears out prematurely. 

 which, if lost completely, may cause severe engine damage within minutes.

On some newer A3s (2016+), owners have reported creaks and rattles from the front suspension, even with low mileage.

Since there's no clear fix, listen closely on test drives. If your car’s doing this, try replacing the suspension bushes, like the bottom arms or top mounts.

On 2003–2012 TDI models, engine vibrations can crack diesel lines, hurting MPG and posing safety risks.

Luckily, replacement pipes are cheap, and vibration-reducing upgrades are available online.

A common issue with 2.0 TFSI engines is torn boost diverter valves, which cause a loss of air pressure. Under hard acceleration, you might notice 

Replacing the valve with an upgraded version solves the problem—it swaps the weak rubber diaphragm for a stronger one. It’s a quick fix for any experienced Audi tech.

 can droop over time. To check, see if it stays horizontal after use. 

If not, a garage can easily reposition it using a puller tool. This is usually cheap and prevents paint damage: a win-win!

Front wings rust early on many VW and Audi models. 

If your car’s under 10 years old, Audi’s rust guarantee covers it. If not, getting a wing from a parts car is usually cheapest.

 ranked the A3 last in their reliability leaderboard for 2022, and warranty provider MotorEasy gave it a reliability score of 63%. These indicate a few quality issues with A3s from 2021 onwards.

However, provided the car receives timely maintenance and repair, it should be as reliable as any other car in the same market segment. 

As most of the warranty claims were for automatic 

-related issues, we’d suggest the manual version.

What years of the Audi A3 should I avoid?

The A3 is generally reliable, but certain years have recurring issues. Here's a breakdown of the ones to avoid:

You can avoid some Audi A3 common issues by skipping these years. 

The Audi A3 isn’t the cheapest car to maintain, but it's not the most expensive either. 

Parts can be pricey, especially for newer models, and labour costs add up if you need 

. Regular maintenance and servicing are key to avoiding bigger bills, but overall, it’s manageable for a premium car.

How much does it cost to fix common Audi A3 problems? 

Below, we’ve detailed some rough cost estimates for fixing common Audi A3 problems.

Keep in mind that prices can vary based on location, parts, and labour costs.

DSG gearboxes are fantastic pieces of engineering; they are complex, and numerous reports of faults have developed if the service intervals have not been adhered to. 

For many years, the DSG type has been the go-to gearbox in Volkswagen Audi Group products. This dual-clutch gearbox offers fast gear changes and efficiency as good as a manual transmission car.

DSG gearboxes rely on clean, free-of-contaminants oil, hence the recommended 

 interval of 40,000 miles. If you make sure these services are done, we don’t see why you won’t have a trouble-free experience.

Does the Audi A3 have a timing belt or timing chain?

The Audi A3 generally uses a timing chain, not a belt.

But watch out—older models with 2.0 TFSI or 2.0 TSI engines can have chain issues. Newer ones, like the 8V 1.2 TFSI, also use chains.

In general, most petrol engines use a chain, while many diesels, especially older ones, have a belt. Always check your specific engine code to be sure, and don’t skip scheduled belt replacements.

Are Audi A3s prone to electrical problems?

Some Audi A3 owners have reported electrical issues, such as problems with power windows, central locking, and the infotainment system. These are often caused by faulty wiring, sensors, or software glitches.

Likewise, Audi A3 owners have reported cluster failures (problems with the instrument cluster). These can cause incorrect readings, warning lights, or even blank screens.

While not always serious, they can be frustrating, so it’s worth checking that everything works properly before buying.

That wraps up the common Audi A3 issues. While there are a few known problems, the A3 still scores high on style, practicality, and efficiency. So don’t let a handful of minor faults put you off, as it remains a solid choice in its class, and you can trust Audi A3 reliability.

Need to repair your Audi A3? We’re here to help. With Bumper's 

, you can split the cost of repairs into monthly payments at no extra cost. Apply online for up to £5,000 and choose from 1,000s of trusted repairers. 

Common Audi A3 Problems: Most Frequent Issues & How to Fix Them

Common Audi A3 Problems

Häufige Probleme beim Audi A3

Seen the second Dune film and desperately looking for your next spice fix? Well, look no further, using AI technology so futuristic even the Harkonnen would be impressed, we’ve transported our cars, streets, towns and cities to a far-off galaxy and joined in the fight for Arrakis. 

And if you’ve not yet had the pleasure of watching Timothée Chalamet run around in the sand for 3 hours we might have just saved you some time and about £15.

Believe it or not, this lovely photo started out as a picture of Westminster Bridge. AI has really transformed this iconic London spot. Although, there’s always been a few sand snakes in there. 

We can definitely see Paul Atreides driving one of these. 

There’s even traffic on Arrakis, typical. 

Objects in the rear-view mirror may appear sandier than they are. 

We heard the Fremen were incredibly sad about the prospect of the London Eye moving to Scotland. 

Is it a car? Is it a worm? We don’t even think the Reverand Mother knows the answer to that one. 

Feyd-Rautha would definitely cut you up in this traffic. Serious road rage that one. 

Maybe somewhere for Paul and Chani to settle down? If they ever sort things out, that is.

You might not have thought it, but this was originally a shot of Manchester. Odd that we can’t see any Man-Dunians though. 

What would our cars and streets look like in Dune II?

Oil leak repair costs in the UK range from £75 to over £500, depending on the source of the leak. If ignored, a leaking valve cover gasket, sump plug, or rear main seal can lead to expensive engine damage. 

Are you facing car oil problems? This guide covers oil leak repair prices, causes, and how to fix them. Let’s go!

How much does it cost to repair an oil leak? 

Oil leak repair costs typically range from 

Here are UK cost estimates for common engine oil leak causes:

Split the cost of car repairs and services into interest-free monthly payments with 

Sometimes, your oil leak repair cost will be influenced by your car make and model. This is due to the availability of parts and specialist skills needed to repair the vehicle. 

Here are average oil leak repair prices for common leak problems:

Estimated costs may differ depending on your car and circumstances.

how much does an oil leak cost to fix, get to know the signs of an oil leak. This will help you avoid major damage.

How can you spot an oil leak in your car?

Worried your engine might be leaking oil? Before you estimate the 

Yes, if your engine is leaking oil, you are constantly running the risk of premature engine wear or failure. 

 is vital to the running of your engine, and you won’t get any warning signs the 

What happens if you don’t fix an oil leak?

Ignoring an oil leak can lead to engine damage, overheating, reduced performance, and even more costly repairs. 

Oil leaks lead to low oil levels, which starve the engine of lubrication. This can also lead to increased wear and risk of complete engine failure.

An oil leak repair usually takes 1 to 3 hours.

The time ultimately depends on the severity and location of the leak. Bigger jobs might take a full day if parts are harder to reach.

Can you stop an oil leak without going to a mechanic?

You might be able to stop minor oil leaks with a sealant or by tightening parts, but bigger leaks usually need a mechanic, especially if gaskets or seals need replacing.

Unless you have proficient knowledge, it’s always best to head straight to the garage!

No, today, it’s not normal for your car to have an oil leak.

In years past, it was normal for a car to leave a drop or two of oil on the floor while parked. However, any recurring leak in a modern car should be investigated, as it may indicate an underlying issue.

A few oil spots may not always mean disaster and large repair bills. It could be something as simple as some overspill from your 

If it happens regularly, definitely book an inspection from a mechanic. 

Whether or not you can drive with an oil leak depends on the severity of the leak and the distance of the drive.

If you notice one or two very small spots on the ground, it’s probably okay to drive a few miles to the garage. 

A leak much larger, or a distance much longer, and we’d definitely suggest leaving the car where it is until you can get it inspected properly. This is both to protect your wallet and other road users.

What are the most common causes of oil leaks?

The most common causes of oil leaks in cars include:

Regular maintenance helps catch these early before they become bigger (and messier) problems. Don’t skip your car service!

What does it mean if oil is dropping but there isn’t a leak? 

If your oil level is dropping but there's no oil on the floor, it may be entering the combustion chamber or the coolant system. 

Look for signs like blue smoke from the exhaust or a yellowish substance in the coolant. Learn more about 

exhaust smoke and the different types here.

Oil leaks can pop up when you least expect them, and they can come from all sorts of places—gaskets, seals, even the oil filter. Catching and fixing them early is key to avoiding serious engine damage and expensive repairs. 

Hopefully, this guide has given you a clear idea of what oil leak repairs might cost and what to check before calling your local garage.

Oil leaks can sneak up on you without warning—just like repair costs. 

With Bumper, you can split the cost of repairs into monthly payments at no extra cost with a 

Apply online for up to £5,000 and choose from 1,000s of trusted repairers. 

Oil Leak Repair Costs In The UK — A Complete Guide

¿Cuánto cuesta reparar una fuga de aceite del vehículo en España?

We're thrilled to announce, we have been named by the Financial Times as one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe.

 Bumper has ranked 281, its highest position to date, based on a compound growth rate of 93%.

 fastest-growing fintech in the listings and the 49

 fastest-growing UK business across all market sectors.

To qualify for the FT1000, companies must be European-based, independent and with revenues of at least €1.5m. Qualifying businesses are listed in order of highest compound growth rate in revenue over the five years to 2022.

“As a young start-up we are incredibly proud to be featured in the FT1000 and be acknowledged as one of the fastest-growing European companies for the fourth year in a row,” said James Jackson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bumper.

“Our success is down to our talented teams in the UK, Spain, Germany, Netherlands and Turkey and the support of a fast-growing number of dealers choosing to use our platform in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands.

“This listing comes at a significant time for the business. We successfully completed a £40m fundraise in 2023, which is already being used to accelerate the next stage of our growth which will see the number of repairs we help our dealer partners to facilitate double to 500,000 this year and continue to double on an annual basis.”

Alastair Shephard

Content Writer