The wonderful 2017 Harvest Moon greeted me this morning as I opened up the garage. This year the Harvest Moon is in October, the first time since 2009. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/harvest-moon-2017-when-how-to-see-time-date-full-october-autumn-a7980821.html

It is important not to become too blinkered in the prevailing emotional anti-diesel debacle. A balanced view is what is required and diesel still has an important place but it’s critical to evaluate all cars to see where diesel is still relevant – or where a petrol or alternative fuel vehicle might fit in.

The government has decided to allow 293,000 vehicles on the road without a current MOT certificate from 20th May next year - because the risk is minimal. These vehicles will no longer be subject to a professional check on road worthiness and may well be joined by countless others that are currently excluded from the road because they failed an MOT. Clearly not a move to improve road safety. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/644412/government-response-to-exempting-vehicles-of-historical-interest-from-roadworthiness.pdf

Another diesel myth debunked. In Greater London, diesel cars account for only 11% of NOx emissions, while petrol cars account for a further 7%. The other 82% includes, industry, trains, gas boilers and many types of machinery. The RMI (NFDA) has produced a leaflet which analyses the different types of pollutants including NOx, CO2 and particulates, and from what sources these derive. The leaflet examines the role of diesel with a clear differentiation between old diesel and modern Euro 6 and the different impact they have on air pollution. Then, it looks at the Government’s plans to cut emissions and how these could affect drivers of diesel cars. Finally, it lists the elements that drivers should consider when choosing which car to buy, these include: length of commute, high or low mileage driver and type of journey (motorways or short routes). Modern Euro 6 diesel cars must not be compared to older diesel engine. Euro 6 diesel cars emit around half of the NOx and a fifth of the particulates of diesel cars built before 2009 - less than ten years old. It is also important to highlight that cars are not the biggest contributors to air pollution, others include: industry, trains, gas boilers and many types of machinery. There are currently no Government plans to change diesel taxation in a way that would punish retrospectively motorists who already own a diesel car. http://www.nfda-uk.co.uk/_assets/NFDA%20Diesel%20Leaflet_1.pdf

HANDS up if your company vehicle is a double-cab pick-up? Or a double cab van? If your hand is down you’re fine. If it isn’t you could be facing a huge increase in your tax liabilities in the future. A disagreement between Coca-Cola and HMRC over the definition of a van has lead to a legal ruling that could have far reaching consequences for many company car drivers. The argument stemmed from HMRC insisting that the vans Coca-Cola give to their mobile engineers are actually cars. Given that the vehicles in question are the Vauxhall Vivaro and VW T5 Kombi it seems HMRC lack the common sense necessary to reach a rational conclusion. Apparently all the tools and equipment, racking systems, storage units, and such like fitted to the vans don’t count because they had a second row of seats. The case went to tribunal and things got worse. According to the Judge’s ruling the Vivaro with extra seats is a van while the VW with extra seats is a car. No, we couldn’t make any sense of it either and we’ve read the entire thing. Most people would struggle to tell the difference, which makes the Judge’s conclusion even more bewildering. Luckily the Judge’s ability to tell the difference between a car and a van is largely besides the point. What is not besides the point is that the Judge’s ruling contradicts the HMRC guidelines so now nobody knows the difference despite it being obvious to anyone with a pair of eyes in their head. There was an exception to the rule however. HMRC happily accepted that a double-cab pickup with a payload in excess of one tonne is, for tax purposes, a van. This could now change leaving small businesses and SMEs facing increased tax bills for their company vehicles. And if the user gets ‘free fuel’ the tax benefit on a van changes from £610 a year to £2,600 for a car in the current rates. Which leaves us in a rather awkward situation because we’ve been highlighting the tax benefits of driving a double-cab pick-up for quite some time. Tax benefits that could suddenly disappear. Granted our situation won’t be as awkward as anyone who finds a backdated tax bill on the doormat one morning – the ruling on the T5 Kombi relates to the 2011-12 tax year. Who knows how many people could be affected or what effect such a change could have on the survival of many small businesses? We know that double-cab pickups are popular with small businesses because they are flexible, versatile, and economical. Builders, plumbers, electricians, and lots of other trades use them because they are great for carrying equipment and supplies during the week and comfortable enough to double as a family car at the weekend. We also know that lots of canny company car drivers have cottoned on to the lower tax rates and use them as regular company cars. The high-end models are just as well equipped as a regular car. Those drivers hoping to dodge the BIK tax bullet may be about to come unstuck because they followed the rules. Following the ruling HMRC will probably be forced to address this issue and it is entirely possible that double-cab pickup tax could fall in line with car tax rates. If that happens it will mean millions of pounds in extra revenue heading to the Treasury at the expense of all those businesses using double-cab pickups. Tax experts, RSM UK, are even advising caution in relation to HMRC guidelines. Employers should be mindful when relying on HMRC guidance in determining the taxable benefit arising on a company vehicle, as this may result in unexpected tax bills and possible penalties. The wider consequence of this case could be that double cab pick-ups are brought under review. Clearly this is not ideal. At the moment we don’t know how this will work out. Until HMRC pull their finger out and devise a set of guidelines that actually make sense we won’t know. If you are currently driving a double-cab pickup you need to keep an eye on this issue. It is possible that HMRC could review the rules and decide not to change their status. On the other hand, when has the treasury ever been presented with a means of making more money and not taken it? http://www.businesscarmanager.co.uk/

As the weather deteriorates our thoughts turn to batteries. Call in for an assessment of your cars battery. Will it make it through the coming dark winter months?

The staff of Church Road Garage are taking part in the Offa's Byke Bash today, join me and wish all the best to Ian, Jon, Matt, Miles, Andy and Kelly. All the best to Laurie to, who is missing this event as he is running a half marathon. https://www.facebook.com/offasbykebash/

A clogged up Mitsubishi in the middle of an induction clean. Once again the BG products work their magic, clear the phlegm from its chest and allow it to breathe again.

Have you checked out our tyre website? Need a tyre in a hurry and at the right price? You can book tyres for fitting same day or next day.

This Sunday the Church Road Garage team are looking forward to taking part in the "Offa's Byke Bash".

http://www.autotorque.news/latest-news/industry-buzz/supermarket-fuel-comes-under-fire/

It maybe Just a year old but nature is already trying to reclaim this Land Rover.