In this episode of On The Ramp, Jamie shares an honest account of his journey through the motor trade.From starting out in a small local garage and working through dealerships and independents, to running his own business for nearly a decade, this conversation looks at what life is really like behind the scenes.

Jamie talks openly about going mobile with very little planning, the pressure of keeping work coming in, and the reality of long hours with little reward.

The episode explores common challenges many garage owners face, including undercharging, fear of employing staff, working without a long term plan, and the isolation that can come with running a one man business.

The discussion also covers the difficult decision to close a garage, the emotional impact of locking the doors for the last time, and the relief that can come from stepping away.

From there, the conversation moves into growth, learning diagnostics properly, working alongside stronger operators, and finding a healthier balance between work, life, and ambition.

This episode will resonate with anyone in the automotive industry who has run a garage, is thinking about starting one, or is questioning what success in this trade really looks like beyond just being busy.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group.

To learn more about Castrol Service, visit:

https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/services/castrol-service.html

Timestamps:

01:00 - Getting into the motor trade

05:30 - Apprenticeships and early mistakes

06:45 - Leaving the dealer and chasing money

07:50 - Going mobile and starting alone

09:10 - Running a business with no plan

11:00 - Winter work and survival mode

11:40 - First workshop and early growth

14:00 - Working month to month

15:45 - The biggest mistake looking back

19:00 - Long hours and family pressure

25:00 - Realising something had to change

29:30 - Deciding to close the business

36:30 - Learning again and rediscovering the trade

56:30 - Finding balance and enjoying the work

Modern diagnostics demand far more than plugging in a tool and changing parts. In this episode of On The Ramp, we talk about what working on today’s vehicles really requires from independent garages.

The conversation covers process, responsibility and decision making in a world of complex systems, EVs and ADAS. We discuss why fault codes are only the starting point, why structure and method matter, and what happens when diagnostics is rushed or handled without the right understanding.

This episode is for garage owners and senior technicians who want to work safely, professionally and sustainably as vehicles continue to evolve.

Timestamps:

02:12 – Steve’s background and how diagnostics has changed

06:38 – Why fault codes are only the starting point

11:04 – Moving from parts fitting to proper diagnostic process

18:27 – Teaching technicians how to think, not just test

26:06 – Why process matters more than tools

31:42 – Charging properly for diagnostics and assessment time

38:18 – Intermittent faults and managing customer expectations

44:02 – EVs, ADAS and the responsibility garages now carry

49:28 – Safety risks and why calibration matters

56:08 – Dealer vs independent diagnostics explained

01:02:35 – The future of diagnostics and access to vehicle data

01:08:12 – Burnout, pressure and working smarter

01:15:48 – Raising standards without losing your sanity

01:22:26 – Final thoughts on professionalism in the trade

This episode is proudly sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group.

Find out more below:

Castrol: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

The Race Group: https://www.facebook.com/TheRaceGroup/?locale=en_GB

We sat down with Jennifer Webb from HR Vitals to break down the HR essentials every garage owner needs to understand.

From contracts and onboarding to conflict, conduct and difficult conversations, Jen explains the practical steps that protect your people and your business.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

- The most common HR mistakes garages make

- What every employee contract should include

- How to handle staff issues fairly and legally

- Why documentation matters more than you think

- The right way to approach sickness, conduct and capability

- How good HR creates a stronger, safer and more stable workplace

- If you employ people in the automotive industry, this is a must-watch conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why HR matters more than most garage owners realise

02:17 – What HR Vitals actually does for the automotive industry

04:22 – The most common HR problems inside independent garages

07:25 – Quick wins for reducing pressure on owners and teams

1:36 – Handling issues early and avoiding bigger problems later

15:03 – Conduct and capability explained in clear terms

20:18 – Values, behaviour and setting the right expectations

27:03 – What workplace culture really looks like inside a workshop

33:57 – Avoiding confrontation and how it impacts team behaviour

38:51 – Scoring culture and understanding who fits the business

43:19 – Why technicians lose motivation and direction

49:26 – How HR strengthens retention and protects your business

57:10 – Why your mindset affects how you manage people

01:12:00 – How onboarding shapes the first months of employment

01:23:10 – Recruiting the right people and building a stable team

This episode is proudly sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group.

Find out more below:

Castrol: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

The Race Group: https://www.facebook.com/TheRaceGroup/?locale=en_GB