We’re thrilled to announce the Dealership of the Month for September 2022 is Arden BMW and Mini Maidstone. Our Business Development Consultant for the Southeast, Jack McHale, met with Elise to present her with the award. 

The meeting was an opportunity for us to catch up with the team at Arden and discuss how Bumper’s PayLater product can be improved for the customer and service advisors using it on-site. 

The team’s successful month using Bumper is certainly shown in their Trustpilot reviews. ‘Great experience, service is great’, wrote one customer. Another said, ‘Easy decision really. Why not spread the cost?’ 

We’ll done to Elise, Marc, Stephen, and the rest of the team on an outstanding month using Bumper to help split the cost of customer’s repair bills into interest-free monthly payments. Here’s to many more! 

Dealership of the Month: Arden BMW and Mini Maidstone 

This Halloween we are celebrating some of the most iconic cars featured in movies fit for Halloween! We’ve narrowed them down to our top 5 favourites – some due to their looks and others because of their heroic nature! Take a look at the cars and their movies listed below and see if you agree: 

It would be impossible to write this list without including the wonderfully colourful Mystery Machine! It isn't completely clear what this green and blue van with orange daisies is, but it is often believed by fans to be either a Dodge A100 or a Chevy G-Body. 

Usually driven by the character Fred Jones, this famous ‘van’ features in the Scooby-Doo TV series since 1969 and then later in two movies. The Mystery Machine earns its place in our Halloween list not only because of our fond memories of the Scooby-Doo franchise but also because in one early episode it comes to life and goes rogue! 

4. Cadillac Series 62 - Nightmare on Elm Street 

Featured in this beloved classic of the horror genre, this beautiful red 1958 Cadillac Series 62 really is a car to die for.

Well, perhaps not. Belonging to Glen, the boyfriend of the leading character Nancy, this car plays a vital role at the end of the film when all appears calm again and Freddy Krueger has evaporated. On an innocent journey to school, the car becomes possessed by Freddy and the green and red striped top of the car suddenly comes down and locks them in before driving uncontrollably down the street with Marge dragged in through the window! 

Ok, so this isn't really a Halloween movie, but this magical car from the wonderful world of wizardry surely deserves its place on the list. Originally a standard Ford Anglia until bewitched under the ownership of Arthur Weasley and used to fly (not drive!) his family around. 

The car becomes a star of its own right in the second Harry Potter film of the series, The Chamber of Secrets when it is stolen by Arthur’s son Ron along with Harry and used to take them to school. 

The car becomes entangled in and then engulfed by the famous Whomping Willow on the grounds of Hogwarts School. It features again later in the film when it comes to the rescue of Harry, Ron and Fang the dog from the vicious Aragog’s family.

Appearing in all four films from 1984 to 2021 as well as the animated television series and video games, we think it’s fair to say that everyone recognises this car! 

The Ectomobile, AKA the Ecto-1 is based on a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Sentinel. This fictional vehicle was originally designed by Steven Dane who is quite rightly, listed in the credits as Hardware Consultant. 

Featuring several gadgets as well as its ‘proton cannon’ mounted on top, this car is responsible for transporting the Ghost Busters and their ghost-busting equipment on their missions around New York City. 

Due to its popularity, a miniature replica of this car has been mass-produced and sold as toys all over the world. 

Taking our number 1 spot in the list is this hero of all hero cars. The Batmobile! A heavily customised armoured tactical assault car relied upon for its speed during a pursuit, it's fair to say that Batman would not be Batman without this car.

First appearing in the comic series in May 1939 as a red car, it has featured the iconic bat motif and has had many customisations and facelifts throughout the years reflecting the evolution of technology. The several iterations from the comic books and TV series to the films and video games have kept the car current and incredibly popular. 

The Batmobile as we know it now is a sporty and mean-looking black car that can also self-drive.

In the mood for a scare? Check out our list of 

Our top 5 cars from scary movies 

With spooky season-season fast-approaching, we’ve put together this handy guide to the most haunted roads in Britain. To help you plan that Halloween getaway route (if there is such a thing), we’ve given each entry on this list a rating on the spook-o-meter. So without further-a-ghoul let's get into it. 

One of the oldest roads in the country, this route was built over 2,000 years ago by the Ancient Romans. And it seems they were rather keen on the 230-mile route from Birmingham to Carlisle, as they decided to stick around. It has been reported by many drivers that ghostly Roman soldiers have been marching across the road in the dead of night. 

It's good to have pride in your work. We've awarded this with a 3/10 on the spook-o-meter. We're pretty sure we can handle a few revenant Romans. 

The A229 (spine-chilling Suffolk to creepy Kent) 

Our next road on the list is, according to some sources, the most haunted road in England. That’s right it’s the A229 from Suffolk to Kent. Legend has it that along this road the ghost of a hitchhiker will ask you for a ride. Once on board, he’ll take his seat on the passenger side and start to tell you his stories, but then he will completely vanish in an instant! 

But that’s not the only reason to avoid the A229. It's also believed to be haunted by the ghost of a bride who tragically died on her wedding day. She's said to have walked the road ever since. 

A definite 6/10 on the spook-o-meter. We'll look for an alternative route on our next trip to Kent. 

The final entry on our list is without a doubt our scariest. During construction of the Stocksbridge Bypass linking Sheffield to Manchester, night-time security guards reported seeing several children laughing and singing in the dead of night. Construction workers on the bypass also spoke of children dressed in ‘old fashioned clothes’ dancing in the road. 

Also, during construction, guards saw a cloaked figure that later vanished. Soon after, presumably traumatised by the events, one of the guards quit their position. Investigating officers on the scene claimed their car began to shake whilst an unknown figure had its torso pressed up against the window. 

Over the years, reports have also been made of children playing by the pylons and some other drivers have even said they’ve had to swerve to avoid bodies in the middle of the road. 

Very spooky indeed. We're giving this one an 8/10 on the spook-o-meter and will definitely be giving this one a by-pass. 

Looking for more spooky content? Take a look at our list of 

Scariest places to break down UK 

, cars fitted with ABS are 48% less likely to be involved in road traffic accidents than those without. It’s hard to put a number on the number of lives saved, but anyone with experience trying to stop in wet weather in a car without ABS knows how brilliant the technology is.

ABS enables inexperienced drivers to brake safely in wet conditions, with a much reduced risk of losing control or skidding. 

In this article, we’ll discuss how you know your ABS is working and signs it has a fault. We’ll also look at what ABS does and what to do if your ABS is faulty.

If you recently had to brake very harshly, particularly on a wet or gravelled surface, and you felt the brake pedal and front of the car shake slightly and heard a fast juddering sound, this is your ABS system working.

If your ABS light is on, you might have a fault in the system. Here are the four main reasons the light may appear:

Symptoms of an ABS fault are hard to pinpoint. If in any doubt you should always take the car to a mechanic to have the system checked, before continuing to drive. 

Here are three key ABS pump failure symptoms every driver should know.

The wheel speed sensors are often used by other systems, such as traction control, so the car's ECU constantly monitors the output. If any becomes faulty, the vehicle should display an ABS warning light on the dashboard.

One symptom is if your front wheels lock and skid upon hard braking. This can be heard easily if the windows are down but can sometimes be hard to hear in the cabin. The car will feel like it has suddenly hit ice, and the steering will be heavy but unresponsive until the brakes are released.

3. Brake power reduces under hard braking

If the ABS pump fails, braking power can disappear when the ABS activates, often going unnoticed until needed. Given the risks, have the system checked by a professional immediately if you have any concerns.

Before we continue, we’ll quickly recap what ABS means. 

An anti-lock braking system consists of a few key components not found in non-ABS-equipped vehicles. Its basic purpose is to prevent the wheels from locking or skidding under hard braking.

Modern brakes are very powerful. Without ABS, it would be easy for them to lock up the wheels under emergency braking conditions. This is especially important on wet roads.

It may seem counterintuitive, but releasing the brakes helps slow the car more effectively than skidding wheels. Steering also only works when wheels are turning, so ABS allows you to brake and steer simultaneously.

ABS systems are extremely beneficial to drivers. Here are some key advantages they offer:

The ABS system consists of three main components: an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), an ABS pump/modulator, and ABS sensors. 

All three parts, along with the standard braking system, need to be in good condition for the system to function properly. Here’s a quick breakdown of each.

An Electronic Control Unit is a computer that manages various vehicle functions by processing data from sensors and controlling related components. It oversees tasks like engine management, transmission control, and ABS operation.

The ABS modulator, or ABS pump, is a brake component that rapidly controls brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup. 

It uses a high-pressure pump and valves to adjust braking force in a split second until brakes are released or traction is regained. In many cars, the ECU and pump are integrated into one unit.

ABS sensors, or wheel speed sensors, are mounted at each wheel behind the brake disc or drum. They detect the spinning ABS ring (reluctor ring) on the 

 using a magnetic field, allowing the ECU to monitor wheel speed.

If a wheel locks up during braking, the ECU signals the ABS modulator to adjust brake pressure.

ABS can fail prematurely. Because of the relatively low number of parts involved, it is usually easy to diagnose but can be expensive to fix.

Common if the car has just had work done on a suspension component, 

 or wheel, the ABS sensors can be fragile devices, and a small knock whilst removing other parts can cause them to send faulty readings. 

An ECU diagnostic check should detect this issue, most cars will also warn of some kind of issue with a general ABS warning on the dashboard. ABS sensors range from £30-£150 each, and would usually take less than an hour to change.

An internal ABS pump fault may not always be detectable by software, but cars usually store an error code after a failed ABS attempt. 

ABS modulators can fail due to age or poor brake fluid, which can cause blockages in the valves. Regular 

ABS pumps can be costly, often over £1,000, but refurbishing options might be available. So, always consult your mechanic for advice.

For the ABS to work effectively, the rest of the conventional braking system needs to be in good working order. 

Common faults with the braking system can be a failed master cylinder, old or insufficient brake fluid, excessively 

It’s critical to consult a mechanic if your ABS light is on. However, you can also try these at-home checks first.

These DIY steps are just initial checks, and if you’re unsure, it's best to seek professional help.

The ABS is a miracle for modern drivers. Knowing how to check the ABS system is critical, as you want to ensure it’s working properly at all times.

If for any reason, you suspect your ABS, get your car to a garage as soon as possible. They will be able to perform diagnostic checks and ‘field tests’ to see if the ABS is working as it should. 

enter your vehicle registration and postcode

Apply for Bumper and split the cost of your repair bill into monthly instalments, at no extra cost.

How To Check if Your ABS Is Working

 Cómo comprobar si el ABS funciona correctamente

So erkennst du, ob dein ABS funktioniert

It's no secret that garages can have a reputation as untrustworthy and if you pick the wrong one, you’ll end up with a 

This isn’t the case with most garages. Most are reputable businesses and supply excellent service, but how do you tell the good guys from the bad? 

We've put together a handy guide so you’re in the know. 

How good is the advisors’ knowledge? Have they explained everything in detail? When you’re being advised of the required work, you should be confident you know what you’re paying for. 

If you’re not, ask questions. What does that part do? Why does it need to be replaced? What are the consequences of not replacing it? 

A representative of a good, reputable garage will be well-trained and ready to answer any questions you have. 

Possibly the easiest thing you can do is check the garage’s reviews. Garage owners know that reviews are key to keeping customers walking through the door. 

Word-of-mouth is heavily relied upon in the automotive industry and garages know this. A dependable site will supply the best service possible to ensure their reviews are positive. 

Check their star rating and find out what other customers think. Make sure to check further back than the last month to get the full picture, but if the majority of their reviews are 4 to 5 stars you can be confident you’re dealing with a trustworthy repairer. 

Garages are required to display certificates and insurance for customers to read. If you can see their certificates in plain sight they should be trustworthy. 

Although not the sole indicator of a reliable garage, but are they manufacturer-approved? 

 or Volkswagen franchisees? You can check this on the 

Remember most garages are happy to give a free quote for your vehicle. If you’re not happy with the quote, or you’re not happy with the service provided. Go somewhere else and get a second opinion. Don't agree to work if you’re not confident in them completing. 

 with Bumper and see 1000s of dependable garages and dealerships for

Enter your details to apply to spread the cost of your vehicle maintenance into interest-free monthly instalments. 

Bumper’s guide to choosing a reputable garage

 has integrated with Tjekvik’s on-site dealer self-service solution to offer a secure and seamless remote payment option for customers. 

Customers booked in with dealerships using Tjekvik’s self-service machines will be able to drop their keys off in the locker, select the required work on-screen and, when the car’s ready for pick-up, process their payment using Bumper’s fast and secure PayNow solution. 

The new system is remote and secure, meaning customers won’t have to share sensitive information over the phone. 

PayNow is low cost, with no setup fees, mobile phone fees and a low transaction cost. Accounts are easy to set up and add to your existing Tjekvik machine. 

For more information on adding PayNow to Tjekvik or about Bumper’s PayLater solution, allowing customers to split their repair bill into monthly payments, interest-free, contact our sales team at 

Bumper and Tjekvik: Integration offers secure payments on dealership self-service machines

A massive thank you to our Dealership of the Month for August 2022 – Arnold Clark Aberdeen Motorstore, who met with Bumper account manager, Ricardo Fishbourne, to receive their award this month.

The team in Aberdeen have consistently used Bumper’s PayLater to improve their customer offering, providing interest-free finance to their customers on aftersales invoices. 

In August, top performer Andrew Esson has proved how important Bumper is to his customers, helping a huge 42 customers drive away safer with their repairs split into monthly payments. 

Well done to Andrew, James and the rest of the team in Aberdeen! 

Dealership of the Month August 2022: Arnold Clark Aberdeen Motorstore 

Having been a truck mechanic during the Second World War and often pictured driving Land Rovers around her Balmoral estate, it was no secret the Queen was a confident driver. 

Driving since she was 19, the Monarch was never required to have a driving licence, therefore she didn’t have to take a test or, if she wanted to, comply with the speed limit. 

With so many miles under her belt, it’s no surprise there are a few stories to have come out from the Monarch’s time behind the wheel. We’ve compiled a list of our favourite of Her Majesty’s motoring moments. 

The time she took an F1 legend for a spin 

Sometime after F1 legend, Sir Jackie Stewart won the 1973 championship, he was heading to a barbeque from Sandringham, an event that the Queen would also be attending. The pair were good friends and had met on several occasions; the Monarch even ended up attending his 80

As this was Stewart’s first time attending a royal barbeque he politely offered the queen a lift. To which she replied, ‘Absolutely not, I’ll drive, but you can navigate if you like’. 

Speaking later in a Sky Sports interview, Sir Jackie Stewart recalled how ‘she was a wonderful driver, a smooth, smooth driver’ and how ‘everything was done the right way, the indicators went up at the right time’. 

The time she gave the Saudi Prince a scare 

In 1998, when the Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia visited Balmoral Castle, women in his country were banned from driving, so when invited for a tour of the 50,000-acre estate he was surprised to see Her Majesty jump beside him into the driver’s seat. 

Having been taken for a spin around the mountainous roads of the Scottish Highlands the Prince pleaded for her to slow down. Years later the Prince spoke to British diplomat Sir Cowper-Coles about his nervousness. Albeit said with a large grin. 

The time her Range Rover was stuck in the mud 

After the Queen’s death, many stories of Her Majesty’s encounters began to surface. One surprising story came from a man remembering his meeting with the queen when he was a teenager in 1994. 

On holiday with his family during Easter, whilst walking in the countryside, the family came across a large Range Rover stuck in the mud. When the driver wound down the window the family were extremely surprised to see the Queen sitting behind the wheel. 

Shaking her car phone at the group, the Queen said, ‘I have no connection. Can one give one a push?’ 

Reminiscing on the day years later, the man said, ‘All I remember was this tiny woman behind this enormous car. When she wound the window down to reveal her face, I thought “Oh my god”. We gave her a push and helped her out of the mud and then she drove away without saying thank you. It was quite amazing. The most surprising thing was she was on her own!” 

Alastair Shephard

Content Writer